5 Biggest Safety Threat to HVAC Contractors

 

If you are one of those few people who are into the profession of heater repair in California, then this write-up is exclusively meant for you. At the very outset, let us make this clear that it is like a noble profession in a country like the US as often we witness freezing temperatures beyond our imagination. It is the room heater that we largely depend upon. Being in the HVAC fraternity, there’s no doubt that your career prospects are quite bright as all the buildings and homes in the country have a heating and cooling unit of some kind, and they have to be serviced regularly. It means that there’s always some demand for the services of an HVAC tech. However, the work involves a few risks, and contractors are vulnerable to those risks.  

 

Here are some heating maintenance tips along with the leading threats that HVAC contractors should know of- 

 

1. Fatigue Related Faults Are Risky 

 

We cannot deny that HVAC contractors are extremely overworked, particularly during the winter. If you clock 60-plus hours in a physically demanding task, exhaustion is bound to happen. If a contractor feels exhausted, he will make errors, and those blunders could put the customers, as well as the contractor, in jeopardy. God forbids! You may fail to accurately connect wiring, or ignore a leak that allows carbon monoxide inside the home. It is undesirable, yet quite possible when a contractor is tired. Most importantly, if a tech is driving from one location to the next and falls asleep riding the wheel, everyone on the road is at risk. To avoid this completely, you as an HVAC contractor must follow a regular work schedule, and politely deny orders if you feel exhausted. Companies employing HVAC technicians must reasonably prepare rosters for their team members. 

 

2. Risks Due to Electrocution from Wiring and Equipment 

 

It is quite understandable that if you work with HVAC equipment, you work with wiring and electricity, which puts makes you vulnerable to electrocution, which may lead to internal injuries, burns, or even death. It may happen instantaneously too, without warning, so you must understand the process the job creates this risk to prevent it. For minimizing electrocution threats, contractors must be careful regarding switching off the power from the circuit box to the area of the building where they will work. Moreover, contractors must test wires before touching them to ascertain if there are still lives, as live wires can’t be traced easily. 

 

3. Vulnerability to Dangerous Asbestos 

 

Asbestos being a mineral fiber is found in rock and soil and is heat resistant. This heat resistance made it a product worthy of use as insulation and as a fire retardant. It is seen among shingles, vinyl floor tiles, textured paint, and insulation products containing vermiculite. As HVAC contractors work with the ductwork in property and often inspect insulation to locate areas with a possible draft, you can be vulnerable to insulation containing asbestos. Constant exposure to asbestos enhances the possibility of any human developing lung diseases. To avoid these consequences, refrain from prolonged exposure to asbestos, and use recommended respirators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

 

4. Tripping from the Top is a Risk Beyond Imagination 

 

Though residential HVAC equipment is mostly inside basements or in backyards, commercial HVAC equipment is mostly installed on roofs, with high ductwork in ceilings. Additionally, homeowners mostly have vents and ductwork on roofs or in attics. If an HVAC contractor is high off the ground, there is a possibility to fall. To prevent this threat, exclusively employ safe, and robust ladders and stress on safety harness for working on commercial buildings. If you are an HVAC contractor, then refrain from hanging over the side of a building to access any gear or equipment. 

 

5. Heated Equipment Enhances Chances of Burns 

 

You as an HVAC contractor frequently work with hot equipment and materials. The furnace and air conditioner are mostly hot, and several types of heating systems employ flames to heat homes. Even minor burns can leave scars and cause pain while minimizing a contractor’s work potential. To prevent burnings of any kind, HVAC contractors must let equipment cool before handling it and apply proper heat-resistant gloves if needed. Additionally, eye protection during soldering is mandatory. 

 

Inference 

 

If you work as a technician for HVAC repair in California, it is a prospective as well as a lucrative career, but it is not without its safety threats. The severity of each of these hazards could be disastrous