Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to recover refrigerants, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigeration systems.
- OHS procedures including codes of practice for a given work area are obtained and understood
- Established OHS risk control measures and procedures in preparation for the work are followed
- Safety hazards which have not previously been identified are noted and established risk control measures are implemented
- The nature and location of the work is determined from documentation or appropriate person(s) to establish the scope of work to be undertaken
- The work is appropriately sequenced in accordance with job schedule
- Appropriate personnel are consulted to ensure the work is coordinated effectively with others involved on the work site
- Refrigerants, lubricants and cleaning materials needed for the work are obtained in accordance with established procedures and checked against job requirements
- Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to carry out the work are obtained in accordance with established procedures and checked for correct operation and safety
- Preparatory work is checked to ensure no damage has occurred and complies with requirements
- Recover refrigerants, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigeration systems.
- OHS risk control measures and procedures for carrying out the work are followed
- Checks are carried out to ensure the system or component parts are isolated, when necessary, in strict accordance with OHS requirements and procedures
- Circuits/machines/plant are checked as being electrically isolated where necessary in strict accordance OHS requirements and procedures
- The systems refrigerant and lubricant are tested for contamination
- Refrigerants are removed from a system safely into suitably labelled containers in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry practices, using appropriate recovery/reclaim equipment
- Precautions are taken to prevent damage to components while pressure testing the system
- Pressure testing is conducted at a pressure compatible with the refrigerant to be used
- Leaks are located and rectified using testing methods appropriate to the system under test and in accordance with industry practices
- Systems are evacuated to the required level and cleaned of all moisture and other containments in accordance with industry practices
- A 'Drop test' is used to prove effectiveness of the evacuation in accordance with industry practice
- The system, vacuum pump and recovery/reclaim unit lubricants are checked and maintained in accordance with manufacturer requirements
- Systems are charged or retrofitted with the appropriate refrigerant in accordance with manufacturer requirements and industry practices. This includes recording refrigerant usage in an auditable recording system, e.g. logbook.
- Problematic situations that arise during the work are dealt with in an appropriate manner
- Systems are pressure and leak tested, evacuated and charged efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus and the surrounding environment or services and using sustainable energy practices
- Complete and report refrigerants recovery, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test work
- OHS work completion risk control measures and procedures are followed
- Work site and equipment is cleaned and made safe in accordance with established procedures
- Contaminated refrigerant and lubricant is dealt with in accordance with legislative/regulatory requirements
- Completion of the work is documented and recorded, including refrigerant usage in an auditable logbook and an appropriate person or persons notified in accordance with established procedures