Manual for Refrigeration Servicing Technicians - UNEP - Division of ...

6
Safe Refrigerant Handling
are, what the consequences could be, and most significantly, to
identify the safeguards and precautions to put in place to ensure
that an undesirable event does not occur.
These are considered in the following order:
High pressure fluids 4
Oxygen displacement 4
Toxicological effects 4
Flammability and degradation products 4
High pressure fluids
Most refrigerants are stored under pressure, since they would be
a gas at atmospheric pressure. This presents a number of hazards
that those using refrigerants should be aware of. A fluid being
stored at a pressure several times higher than atmospheric pressure
has the potential to produce a rapid expansion, which is explosive
in nature and can produce shock waves that can injure people and
property. Therefore it is important to ensure that whenever a high
pressure fluid is handled, transferred or released, it is done so under
strict safety procedures.
When a pressurised liquid is exposed to atmospheric pressure,
it will rapidly boil off, thus drawing heat from its surroundings. In
the event that a liquid spill occurs on the skin, this can result in
freezing, thereby causing cell damage and pain. Thus, whenever
handling refrigerants, one must always wear safety glasses and
gloves. If contact with skin should occur, flush the exposed area
with lukewarm (not hot) water. If there is evidence of frostbite, bathe
in lukewarm water, or use other means to warm the skin slowly.
Should eye contact occur, immediately flush with large amounts of
lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally
to facilitate irrigation. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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