Hazardous material HVAC safety talk
HVAC workers can come into contact with various hazardous materials on a daily basis including cleaning fluid, refrigerants, detergents and solvents. Under the right circumstances, each of these can be a serious risk to life and health.
Chemical exposure occurs in four different ways:
Inhalation – breathing in dust, mists and vapors
Ingestion – eating contaminated food (food that has been exposed to airborne contaminants)
Absorption – skin contact with a chemical
Injection – forcing an agent into the body through a needle or high-pressure device
Protect against chemical hazards by:
– Reading container labels, safety data sheets (SDSs) and safe-work instructions before handling a chemical
– Using specified personal protective equipment (PPE) that may include chemical-splash goggles, a respirator,
safety gloves, apron, steel-toed shoes or safety glasses with side shields
– Inspect all PPE before use; look for defects in the equipment such as cracks, missing parts, rips, etc.
– Know where the safety showers and eyewash stations are located and how to use them
– Wash hands before eating, especially after handling chemicals
– Leave contaminated clothing at work to eliminate the possibility of exposing others to the hazards
– Always be familiar with the chemicals that are being used, safe transportation and storage guidelines
– New technicians should take extra time to become familiar with the chemicals before using them
