Safety is the topmost priority in any field, and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) sector is no different. HVAC contractors face numerous hazards every day, from electrical and fire risks to potential injuries sustained while handling heavy equipment.
Developing safe practices reduces the potential for accidents and is a legal requirement, enabling work to be completed safely and effectively.
But how can HVAC contractors maintain a safe environment and ensure compliance with regulations and best practices?
Common Hazards in the HVAC Sector
HVAC engineers face unique hazards in their work when using tools, handling refrigerants or navigating electrical installations.
Understanding the risks involved is essential for implementing effective safety measures. Among the most common hazards engineers encounter are:
- Electrical hazards: Whether installing or servicing an air conditioning or heating unit, engineers might handle electrical wiring and must follow procedures to prevent electric shocks while working.
- Chemical exposure: The increased phase-out of high global warming potential (GWP) gases amid climate concerns and proposed bans has led to the increased use of R32 in air conditioning systems. While R32 has a low flammability, there is still a risk, and as with other refrigerants, inhalation is dangerous in significant quantities.
- Working at height: HVAC engineers frequently use ladders to install or maintain units. If not properly secured, workers may fall and sustain severe injuries.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
As part of the construction industry, HVAC contracts must comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, commonly known as CDM.
The CDM regulations have undergone multiple revisions since coming into effect in 1994, the most substantial of which occurred in 2015. The CDM 2015 introduced several changes to set health and safety standards across all construction projects.
Among the requirements of the CDM regulations are for clients (individuals or businesses commissioning the work) to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of projects that meet specific criteria:
- The work will exceed 500 person days or 30 working days;
- The work will last longer than 30 working days or;
- The project will involve more than 20 people working simultaneously.
Unless the contracted HVAC work is part of a massive installation, some jobs may not meet these criteria. For example, replacing a hot water boiler might not be a sizable enough project to require notification to the HSE under CDM, but contractors should still follow these regulations.
The CDM covers every project phase — from design and installation to maintenance and demolition — and assigns responsibilities to various dutyholders.
HVAC engineers will typically fulfil the contractor role. If a contractor oversees work and manages a team of contractors, they will have additional duties as the principal contractor. However, sole contractors working for a domestic client will assume the responsibilities traditionally assigned to the client.
The CDM is a lengthy legislation, and no specific directive is more critical than another. However, those most applicable to HVAC contractors include:
- Consider all health and safety risks that might arise.
- Take suitable steps to prevent the risk of injury to a person arising from fire or explosion, flooding or any substance liable to cause asphyxiation.
- Liaise with other dutyholders (such as the principal designer — responsible for overseeing the design stage of a project — principal contractor and other contractors).
- Keeping the work site in good order.
- Ensuring all contractors appointed to carry out work possess the skills, knowledge and training required to do so — or are in the process of gaining such knowledge and experience.
Safety Best Practices for HVAC Engineers
HVAC engineers must consider all health and safety risks, but what might that look like in practice?
Regular and Comprehensive Training
Continuous professional development is vital for HVAC contractors. Regular training ensures that workers familiarise themselves with the latest safety regulations and industry standards. HVAC engineers should understand the following:
- How to handle emergencies: Fire risk, gas leaks and electrical shocks should always be mitigated as much as possible, but workers should know what to do should such hazards occur. Contractors must be familiar with emergency exits, the location of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, and how to use this equipment.
- Changes in policy and legislation: Meeting health and safety guidelines is a continual job. The field constantly evolves, with requirements introduced or refined
— as we have seen with the CDM 2015 — in response to the changing construction landscape. Contractors should know their responsibilities and ensure they follow procedures for handling hazardous materials, dealing with the general public, reporting projects and more.
Supply and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is a critical component of workplace safety. HVAC contractors should possess and use:
- Safety goggles to protect the eyes from debris, dust, and hazardous materials.
- Gloves for handling materials, tools and protecting the skin from exposure to refrigerants and cleaning fluids.
- Hard hats to prevent head injuries from falling objects or low ceilings.
- Safety shoes to cushion the feet and provide grip to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Contractors should also maintain PPE in good condition. Defective or damaged PPE should be replaced immediately, and contractors shouldn’t carry out any work without wearing adequate protection. PPE must also fit properly, such as ensuring shoes aren’t punctured or too loose and safety goggles fit snugly to prevent particles from entering the eyes.
Conducting a Risk Assessment
A thorough risk assessment enables businesses to identify hazards, assess their severity and implement changes or control measures to keep all workers and members of the public safe from harm resulting from the work conducted.
Businesses employing more than five employees must legally record risk assessments, but smaller companies and sole contractors can also benefit from doing this.
A risk assessment must be specific to your business and work environment, but some assessments may share common risks. For example, an HVAC contractor installing a boiler might consider the following:
- The likelihood of burn injuries (e.g. from steam or hot water), explosion (caused by pressure buildup), electric shock, chemical exposure and falls from height.
- The dangers of transporting fuels or refrigerants, such as the potential for a road accident.
- The impact of noise pollution, including the long-term effect on hearing and the immediate danger of contractors being unable to communicate with others, whether contractors, designers, the public or the client.
- The risk of injury to members of the public or workers on the premises who are not part of the construction project.
- The likelihood of tools or equipment failing or deteriorating due to wear and tear.
- Trip hazards such as cables, debris or objects in a worker’s path, especially during manual handling operations.
- Potential discomfort for workers in hot or cold conditions.
Examples of risk control in response to the identified hazards might include:
- Reducing how many vehicles transport chemicals to lessen potential exposure.
- Implementing a regular training programme to ensure contractors safely operate their vehicles.
- Educating workers on the importance of PPE, appointing a supervisor to ensure protective equipment is worn and providing first-aid facilities (including eye wash) should a contractor be exposed to chemicals.
- Providing rest areas with water and ensuring workers take regular breaks.
- Establishing a perimeter around the work area to prevent unauthorised access.
- Ensuring relevant machinery and circuits are isolated and locked off before connecting electric wiring.
- Regularly inspecting tools to ensure they are in good working condition and documenting repairs to identify patterns that can help mitigate future equipment failures.
A risk assessment should never be a tick-box exercise you complete once and then forget about. You should review the document yearly, whenever there is an incident, or when you make significant changes to an environment, system, or process. Ongoing reflection and revision ensure the risks are relevant and the control measures effective.
Adhering to safety regulations is crucial for HVAC contractors. Following these best practices allows companies to comply with the law, reduces the risk of accidents and demonstrates your reliability and professionalism to clients.
Author: Alex Minett
Alex Minett is the Head of Global New Markets at Veriforce CHAS, the UK’s leading health and safety assessment scheme and provider of risk mitigation, compliance, and supply chain management services. With a working history in the audit and management consulting industry, Alex is experienced in implementing visions and strategies. Skilled in negotiation, management and business development, he is passionate about driving CHAS in its mission to safeguard organisations from risk in the UK.
LinkedIn: Alex Minett
