Flammable Refrigerent Gases- Position Paper

This Position Paper was developed by the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) and provides information on the obligations of work health and safety duty holders with respect to the use of flammable refrigerant gases at workplaces.

1. Scope:
This paper concerns refrigerant gases classified as Division 2.1 flammable gases under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) or classified as Flammable Gas Category 1 using the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). It covers general
work health and safety/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) duties, however, readers should check their legislative
responsibilities at the state/territory and Commonwealth level in relation to working with refrigerants. It includes information on:
• the use of flammable refrigerant gases in stationary and mobile (vehicle) workplace environments (including fixed or
portable plant);
• how to manage the risk of fire and explosion from refrigeration and air-conditioning systems1 containing flammable refrigerant gases and
• the storage and handling of flammable refrigerant gases.

Click here to read the full paper on this interesting topic.