8 HVAC Safety & Survival Tips For Every HVAC Technician to Know

Do you fasten your seatbelt when you get into a vehicle?

Before crossing the street, remember to look both ways. Or receive a flu vaccination each year?

Similarly, safety is equally important when you work in HVAC and when you are training.

Before you enter the lab or make a service call, please look at the HVAC safety precautions listed below and ensure that you are following the right safety procedures.

With a market share of 32.7%, HVAC industry is growing every day. Most HVAC maintenance tasks, including air filter replacement, register and vent cleaning, and clearing vegetation from surrounding the outside condenser, can typically be done by homeowners. 

However, some jobs ought to be left to the experts. Ventilation, heating and cooling systems can malfunction, result in problems like fires and carbon monoxide leaks, and degrade the quality of your indoor air when handled improperly.

Because of this, HVAC contractors and homeowners must be aware of the dangers of HVAC equipment. 

This article aims to educate you on HVAC safety and give you a list of useful hints for taking care of your heating and cooling system in the best way possible.

Why Do HVAC Technicians Need HVAC Safety Tips?

Being safe is crucial to being a successful HVAC technician, and at the Training Center for Heating and Air Conditioning, safety education takes center stage in all we do.

However, although being a lucrative vocation, it requires professionals to always be on guard and to exercise extra caution due to the risks they may encounter.

Because of where they work, how they work, and the equipment they use, HVAC technicians sometimes find themselves in risky situations. Aware of the risks they and their staff may encounter throughout their workday and how to effectively take the required precautions to prevent them, HVAC technicians—current and future—and those wishing to run their own HVAC business—must be at all times.

8 HVAC Safety & Survival Tips For HVAC Technicians

To prevent hazardous HVAC mishaps, technician safety must be a top priority in your daily operations, regardless of whether you are a business owner or a field technician. Here are 8 HVAC safety tips for HVAC technicians that will work as a shield against potential hazards.

1. Electricity Risks

Electrical wiring handling requires HVAC work before routine examinations, testing, repairs, and other servicing procedures. While on the job, technicians must de-energize all equipment. 

Utilize the HVAC safety advice below to prevent electrical mishaps: 

• In the breaker panel, shut off electricity to the corresponding circuit. 
• To prevent someone from trying to turn on the power while you are working, follow the proper lockout and tag procedures. 
• Use a meter that is appropriately rated for the sort of circuit you’re evaluating to test the circuit to see if it is still electrified before beginning the task.

2. Chemical Toxicity 

Exposure to chemical hazards is one of the common causes of HVAC mishaps, according to the industry. Technicians operate with several chemicals, including gases, solvents, cleaning solutions, and liquids that can result in severe burns.

Even though many manufacturers classify refrigerants as harmless, heat can cause the toxicity of the chemicals to rise, creating a health risk to professionals. So, before using these chemicals, getting rightly aware of the potential chemical hazards along with proper HVAC safety tips and training is essential. To maintain chemical safety and to avoid potential hazards caused by it, follow these HVAC maintenance instructions.

Exercise caution and always wear dependable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, protective boots, and HVAC work gloves, when dealing with this threat.

The American Welding Society (AWS) suggests the following for proper storage and handling: 

• An anchor upright cylinders with a chain or strap in a suitable cylinder cart. 
• Verify that all valves are shut and that all safety measures are in place. 
• Keep cylinders away from electrical circuits and extreme heat in a ventilated area. 
• Make sure any safety precautions, including caps or guards, are firmly in place. 
• Use a hand truck or cart. CANNOT roll or drag cylinders.

3. Insufficient Equipment Inventory 

Although it might not be the initial thing that comes to mind when considering HVAC mishaps, equipment inventory matters; ensure the equipment in your truck or van is prepared before setting out on your planned itinerary. You may arrive at the homeowner’s house confidently, knowing you have the tools you need to finish the work by ensuring your tools’ condition isn’t affected. 

Making a plan for the tools you’ll need for the subsequent work makes it simple to get started when you arrive. It stops you from improvising while on a task, so it’s not just about keeping your equipment inventory tidy.

Preventative measures and correct HVAC maintenance practices are the best safety strategies. Before leaving for work, establish a pattern of awareness and prevention. 

4. Risks to Respiratory HVAC Safety 

HVAC professionals are frequently exposed to respiratory-related health concerns. In many houses, filthy air filters are breeding grounds for mold, germs, and fungus. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen due to a furnace’s heat exchangers leaking and malfunctioning pilot light. 

Put on an industrial-grade face mask to avoid these lingering risks in close quarters and for extended periods.

When working in a contaminated and constrained location, a higher-grade mask may be required, such as a cartridge-style mask or even a self-contained breathing mask. Find out more about the respiratory safety requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

5. Ladder Liability 

In the construction business, more than 80% of fall injuries treated in emergency rooms involve ladders, according to a CDC survey. On a hot summer afternoon, nobody wants to be outside longer than is necessary. But by going the extra mile to secure your ladder properly, you can avoid one of the most typical workplace fatalities and injuries. 

Commercial HVAC equipment is frequently found on roofs with ductwork high in ceilings, whereas residential HVAC equipment typically occupies basements or backyards. Also, homeowners could have ducting and vents on their roofs or attics. 

An HVAC professional runs the risk of falling whenever he is elevated. Use only safe, strong ladders or scaffolding to avoid this risk, and insist on safety harnesses while working on commercial construction projects. Never lean over the side of a building to reach for tools or equipment if you’re an HVAC professional.

When working on a ladder: 

• Always keep three points of contact. Both hands and at least one foot must always be on the ladder, or both feet must always be on the ladder with at least one hand. 
• To create the safest angle, position the ladder’s base 1/4 of the working length away from the house. 
• Ascertain that the extension or straight ladder rises at least three feet above the support point. 
• On an extension ladder, ensure all the locks are correctly in place. 
• For additional electrical safety advice, visit the National Electric Code and Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces of the National Fire Protection Association.

6. Unsafe Driving

Your entire tool collection can be kept spotless and organized. You can be completely prepared with all the PPE you can try to put on. When dealing with electrical or chemical threats, you can climb a ladder safely and take every safety measure. But if you never show up for work, none of that counts.

Virtually, all HVAC technicians must deal with the basic reality of daily driving. However, careful driving benefits your business (let’s face it, that van is just a moving billboard) and saves lives. 

To drive safely:

• Plan adequate time between tasks so you won’t have to rush to be there on time.
• Always let the dispatcher know if your schedule doesn’t work for your driving route.

7. Avoid Shortcuts and Unprofessional Behavior

A homeowner’s invitation to a technician into their home is an act of trust, and nothing screams unprofessionalism like an inexperienced technician. An unskilled professional might quickly disturb a homeowner’s sense of security. As a business owner, ensure that all your professionals obtain HVAC safety training to identify risks and create effective policies to guarantee the security of both employees and clients.

While it’s crucial to maintain your equipment, put on safety gear, and constantly scan your surroundings, none of these actions will be particularly successful if you’re constantly looking for a way to save time. You might occasionally have to do a task that takes longer than expected. However, taking quick cuts might be disastrous.

Exercise caution by taking your time when working with electricity, chemicals, and even extremely high temperatures as an HVAC professional. Although you might be tempted to hurry a repair quickly, safety should come first. 

No matter how simple the task appears, always follow the proper technique and avoid cutting corners. Being thorough is something you should keep in mind in every job you have for the remainder of your career.

8. Client & Technician Health

Depending on the scope of the work, HVAC specialists frequently enter houses and interact with various surfaces, including thermostats and maybe other items. The current pandemic has warned us to take further precautions to ensure the health and safety of the technicians and the customers, even though there were fewer health hazards related to the transmission before COVID-19. The risks can be reduced with the use of easy-to-understand HVAC safety tips.

Before scheduling a visit, business owners should ask the client and the technician if they have ever been exposed to COVID-19. Completing all transactions that may be done digitally (such as receipts and payments) is ideal for minimizing touch. 

All workers should put on a mask that is properly fitting for the visit, and if the client is at home, they should be asked to do the same. If the client cannot leave the premises, technicians should carry disinfectants for their hands and equipment and keep a 6-foot distance.

All workers must wash their hands after finishing the job by COVID requirements, or at the very least, sterilize them until they have the choice to do so. 

It makes sense that any employee experiencing symptoms or having health issues shouldn’t be at work. The technicians and the consumers can be fully safe and ready for this new reality by taking precautionary measures.

Conclusion

Although it can be rewarding and successful, being an HVAC contractor is not without risk. Safety along with necessary precautions in mind must be the priority in everything the contractor does. It could range from severe burns from hot tools to a catastrophic car accident when a contractor falls asleep at the wheel.

The likelihood of these substantial safety concerns can be greatly decreased with the implementation of adequate safety standards. However, till the time standards are effectively implemented, these 8 essential HVAC safety tips will protect you from the on the job hazards causing and harming you and your team.