Falls from Heights During Rooftop Equipment Installation
HighCondensing units and refrigeration equipment frequently install on building rooftops requiring work at heights exceeding 2 metres. Technicians position equipment near roof edges creating fall risks particularly when guiding crane-lifted loads. Fragile roof materials including fibreglass skylights, corrugated roofing, and deteriorated roof sheets present fall-through hazards. Working near roof edges while connecting refrigerant lines, electrical cables, and supports creates overbalancing risks. Accessing roofs via ladders, particularly when carrying tools or materials, presents fall hazards during transition from ladder to roof surface.
Consequence: Fatal injuries from falls exceeding 3 metres height, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage causing permanent disability, multiple fractures requiring extended hospitalisation, and death if falls occur through fragile roof materials onto concrete floors or equipment below. Secondary injuries occur if workers fall onto operating machinery or building equipment.
Confined Space Asphyxiation in Cool Rooms During Construction
HighCool room and freezer construction creates confined spaces when partially completed rooms have insulated walls installed but ventilation systems are not yet operating. Technicians enter these spaces to install internal evaporators, lights, shelving, and controls before completion. Refrigerant leaks from pipe joints, valve packings, or damaged lines during pressure testing accumulate in confined cool rooms displacing oxygen. Cool rooms have limited entry points (single door), inadequate natural ventilation, and potential for oxygen displacement if refrigerant leaks. Workers may not recognise confined space conditions until oxygen depletion causes rapid unconsciousness.
Consequence: Rapid asphyxiation and death if oxygen levels drop below 16%, brain damage from hypoxia if rescue is delayed, multiple fatalities if rescue workers enter without breathing apparatus, and long-term neurological effects in survivors. Cold stress compounds asphyxiation effects as cold reduces tolerance to oxygen deficiency.
High-Pressure Refrigerant Line Failures
HighRefrigerant pipework operates at pressures ranging from 1000kPa to 3000kPa on high-pressure sides requiring robust brazing, correct material selection, and pressure testing before commissioning. Brazing defects including incomplete penetration, contamination, or overheating cause joint failures under pressure. Using incorrect copper pipe specifications (insufficient wall thickness for operating pressure) causes pipe rupture. Pressure testing with compressed air or nitrogen at pressures exceeding component ratings ruptures weak points. Mechanical damage during installation crushes or kinks pipes creating failure points under pressure.
Consequence: Explosive refrigerant release causing cold burns from liquid refrigerant spray, asphyxiation in confined spaces from massive refrigerant release, impact injuries from failed components, equipment damage from uncontrolled refrigerant loss, environmental violations from large refrigerant releases, and fire if flammable refrigerants contact ignition sources during release.
Electrical Shock from High-Power Refrigeration Equipment
HighCommercial refrigeration compressors draw substantial electrical current (30-200 amps for commercial systems) requiring high-power electrical connections. Three-phase power at 415V supplies most commercial systems creating electrocution risks from exposed terminals, damaged cables, and incorrect wiring. Compressor motors with damaged insulation create chassis electrification risks. Working on energised electrical equipment during commissioning and troubleshooting exposes technicians to electrical contact. Condensation in electrical enclosures creates tracking paths for electrical current. Inadequate earthing of equipment frames creates shock risks from induced voltages.
Consequence: Electrocution causing cardiac arrest and death, severe electrical burns requiring extensive treatment and skin grafts, arc flash injuries causing vision loss and disfigurement, falls from heights triggered by electric shock when working on rooftop equipment, and fire if electrical faults ignite combustible materials or refrigerant releases.
Manual Handling Injuries from Heavy Equipment Installation
MediumRefrigeration equipment installation involves manual handling of compressors (50-300kg), condensers, evaporators (30-100kg), insulated panels (15-50kg each), refrigerant cylinders (60kg when full), and copper pipe coils. Equipment installs in confined machinery spaces, on rooftops with limited access, and inside cool rooms where cold temperatures reduce grip strength and increase muscle strain. Awkward working positions installing wall-mounted evaporators above shoulder height, positioning floor-mounted equipment in tight spaces, and carrying panels up ladders create musculoskeletal injury risks.
Consequence: Chronic lower back pain and disc degeneration from repeated heavy lifting, shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears, hernias from excessive load handling, knee damage from kneeling and squatting in confined spaces, hand and finger injuries from crushing between heavy equipment and structures, and long-term musculoskeletal disorders requiring ongoing treatment and potential permanent disability.
Toxic Fume Exposure During Brazing Operations
MediumBrazing copper refrigerant lines creates metal fumes including copper oxide, zinc oxide from brass fittings, and cadmium from silver solder alloys. Brazing in confined spaces including cool rooms, machinery spaces, and ceiling cavities without adequate ventilation causes fume accumulation exceeding exposure limits. Heating refrigerant lines containing residual refrigerant creates highly toxic decomposition products including phosgene gas, hydrofluoric acid, and hydrochloric acid causing severe respiratory damage. Flux vapours irritate respiratory system and eyes. Prolonged brazing work without respiratory protection causes metal fume fever and chronic respiratory sensitisation.
Consequence: Metal fume fever causing flu-like symptoms, headaches, and lost work time, chemical pneumonitis requiring hospitalisation from exposure to refrigerant decomposition products, permanent lung damage reducing respiratory capacity, occupational asthma from chronic fume exposure, and acute respiratory distress requiring intensive care if severe exposures occur in confined spaces.
Cold Stress During Freezer Commissioning and Testing
MediumCommissioning work requires technicians to enter operating freezers at temperatures ranging from -18°C to -30°C for extended periods testing controls, adjusting airflow, installing temperature sensors, and verifying design temperatures. Prolonged cold exposure causes hypothermia, reduced manual dexterity making tasks difficult and increasing injury risk, and cold-induced injuries including frostbite to extremities. Inadequate cold-weather clothing provides insufficient protection for extended work periods. Moving between warm and cold environments causes condensation on safety glasses obscuring vision.
Consequence: Hypothermia causing confusion, poor judgment, and potential unconsciousness if prolonged cold exposure occurs, frostbite to fingers, toes, and facial features requiring treatment and potential amputation in severe cases, reduced manual dexterity causing increased injury risk from tools or equipment, respiratory irritation from breathing very cold air, and slips and falls on ice accumulation inside freezers.