Safety

Safeguarding Against HVAC Incidents

In an HVAC small business environment, a company with the initiative to provide safety training for its employees—training that not only raises awareness for safe work practices but ensures them—protects itself by lessening the chances that an accident will occur.
By Rodney Shuck
April 10, 2020
Topics
Safety

In an HVAC small business environment, a financial crisis can result from factors ranging from mismanagement of money to failure to collect accounts receivable. Still, failure to follow safety compliance is one potential cause that seldom comes immediately to mind.

Some companies do not think preventive safety training is of benefit until an accident—loss of limb, eyesight or life—occurs.

Should an OSHA investigation deem the business is at fault, considerable fines could be levied, possibly forcing the company into bankruptcy. Workers’ compensation claims and legal action against the company are usually a result of workplace injuries or death.

A company with the initiative to provide safety training for its employees—training that not only raises awareness for safe work practices but ensures them—protects itself by lessening the chances that an accident will occur. This is true of almost every business, whether it be the local HVAC contractor or the dental practice down the street.

An HVAC company employee is exposed to several regulated job factors under OSHA, including:

Hazardous materials. These include refrigerants, chemicals in cleaning solutions, chemicals in mold removal and acidic cleaning solutions.
Confined space entry. These spaces include crawl spaces, attics or any space meeting one or more of the conditions described by OSHA, to include restricted entries or exits, areas with a hazardous atmosphere or an area with a material that may engulf the person inside.
Electrical supply. This refers to heating and cooling units, as well as the power control box, wall sockets and power equipment (110 and 220 volts) brought on the job.
Respiratory protection. Everything from a dust mask to self-contained breathing apparatus may be indicated.
Machinery. This includes all power tools brought on the job, as well as heavy equipment such as cranes, scaffolding and lifts.

Safety-minded HVAC companies must provide and enforce the wearing of proper safety gear for varied jobs requiring specific equipment. The safety gear, or personal protection equipment, must be in stable condition or condition good enough to protect the employee from injury. Using the right tools, such as a CO tester, anemometer and vacuum gauge, is essential for safety as well.

It is crucial for the employee to follow safety procedure protocol when executing duties, and for company training to include these policies.

If the customer is home, let them know you are on the property. The employee must verify their presence to confirm the correct job location and to rule out being viewed as trespassing.

Observe the project area. Look for proper electrical connections, sharp edges on equipment, protruding nails, loose wiring, the height of space, as well as low-hanging wires, sewer and gas lines. Listen for unusual noises from outdoor units. Determine proper entry and possible exit for confined spaces.

Position tools within proximity of the unit and confirm the tools are not a tripping hazard.

Shutdown the power from the power box before repair or inspection.

Exercise caution if it is necessary to run the unit to determine faults. If odors are present, shut the unit down immediately and determine the source. If in a confined space, create an airflow to disperse odors away from the faulty system.

If replacing refrigerant:

  • Safety goggles must be worn.
  • The area must be adequately ventilated.
  • Make sure cylinder being used is not filled over 80%.
  • Check ICC stamp for safe cylinder.
  • Use gauges to monitor the system pressure.
  • Charge on the low side of the system to avoiding damage to the unit.
  • Ensure that all liquid refrigerant is removed and the pressure is 0 Psi before disassembling a system.
  • Do not smoke, weld or braze-on refrigeration lines.
  • Following the work, the lines should be pressure tested with CO or nitrogen.
  • Do not allow temperatures where cylinders are positioned to be higher than 125°.
  • Do not use cylinders if the show signs of rust, distortion, denting or corrosion, and dispose of cylinders properly.

When working in a confined area work, test air quality before entering for CO and radon. If CO is detected, exit immediately, if radon levels are high, ventilation must be increased.

Many small businesses operating in the HVAC industry underestimate the relationship between safety and long-term sustainability and profitability. Proper safety equipment is essential not only to prevent severe injuries, but also to protect the business.

A high number of injuries will increase the business’s reserve costs, which decreases or eliminates profits. The best protection is realized when regular, proper safety equipment and training is provided.

The business owner or a safety coordinator must take the responsibility to audit employees to ensure they are following the training to first protect the employee and, second, to protect the company.

This safety and training regimen creates a positive atmosphere among employees who are comfortable in the knowledge their workplace is safe, protects the business from possible litigation, reduces absenteeism, eliminates costly workers’ compensation reserves, shields the company from bad publicity and safeguards the reputation of the business.

by Rodney Shuck
Rodney Shuck is a project director at Cogent Analytics, Greensboro, N.C. For more information, visit cogentanalytics.com. 

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