HVAC companies across the globe are providing new and promising opportunities for a lot of job seekers. There are constant job openings in the field, considering that many people are embracing the technology. Due to the exposure to extreme temperature conditions from the systems, contractors need to protect themselves. Some rules have been put in place by the Operational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Owners of an HVAC company have to produce a safety program that coincides with the basic rules released by OSHA. The organization requires everyone joining a project to undergo safety training. First of all, let us look at some of the risks that you may face in an HVAC job.
Wiring risks: A lot of wiring is involved in HVAC systems’ installations. There is a risk of electrocution. Thus, make sure you handle it with all the care that electricity needs to be dealt with.
Exposure risks: During the repair of old systems that have leaks, exposes one to chemicals used within the systems and asbestos.
Fatigue: Being tired and unconcerned is the primary cause of the severity of all the other risks. The assumption that you have done a procedure over and over again should not distract your attention. Be careful, even if you have perfected a skill. Fatigue occurs whereby the technicians may be overworked due to meeting deadlines, which may result in accidents.
Risks from Equipment: Most of the equipment associated with HVAC is bulky. Movement of the same is strenuous. It makes the whole process dangerous. Also, most edges of the machine are sharp. This presents the risk of getting cuts, scrapes, among other issues.
Negligence: As stated in the beginning, it is a necessity to go through a safety program. Some may decide to ignore the training and do something contrary. This may put the person in the question or a colleague at the risk of injury or wrong exposure.
Tripping, Falling, and Crushing risks: We already noted that HVAC equipment is quite bulky. Movement, especially to greater heights, requires the use of cranes. The whole process involves a lot of precision. Otherwise, one can trip, which may lead to a fatal fall. A large unit may crush a worker which is very tragic.
Burn-related injuries: The movement within the units produce heat. Furthermore, heating and cooling systems circulate a lot of hot air. This may lead to personnel getting burns if not careful. It is good to double-check the condition of the systems to avoid this.
Now that you have an idea of the sort of risks associated with HVAC jobs let’s delve into what you can do as safety measures.
Collect All the Right Tools for the Job
This is the first step to ensuring your safety even before getting to the job site. Put together an array of tools that you need for the job. Besides, include extra tools just in case of unexpected incidents that may arise during the job. This is always better than excluding a specific tool then needing it later. Such devices, in this case, are like gas leak detectors, which is a considerable probability in this work.
HVAC Company: Put On Protective Gear
To avoid respiratory irritations from dust, gas, among others, you need to put on a respirator. Some of the respirators come with eye protection attached. If yours lacks this, it is vital to wear goggles or a face protector. Both avoid anything from getting in the eyes and facial skin. Earplugs will help prevent excessive noise from the systems from reaching your ears. Arm protectors and gloves are next on the list. They avoid tearing of skin when handling sharp objects or liquids that could bruise the skin. Wear shoes resistant to slippery surfaces where there are leaks to prevent tripping. Where there is a risk of things falling, wear a helmet to protect your head.
Assessing Hazards
If you are a novice in the job, it will help if you checked whatever risks may present themselves during your work. That involves you going around the whole working site noting possible hazards. After this, you will have a good idea of the protective gear and tools you will need. Also, it is an assurance that no accident will happen suddenly.
Protection against chemicals
The handling of chemicals in HVAC jobs is an everyday activity. Some have corrosive effects when in contact with skin. Others will irritate the eyes. Some are even flammable, which can cause a real mess. So have protective gear on when handling chemicals of whatever category. Learning more about the chemicals you may come across will help with handling, transport, and storage.
Shock Avoidance
Electrocution is a colossal probability when working with HVAC systems. Check for water spillage around where you are working with electricity. This is the most massive problem besides a fire igniting. Also, you should ensure that the main switch is off before beginning your work. Besides protecting yourself, you are providing all that expensive equipment is safe.
Being an HVAC company technician is a promising job with a constant need for visits to many homes and buildings. Ensure you are absorbed into an HVAC company that adequately cares for your safety. For more information on this and more, visit our site.
