CSR-20 & CSR-40, September 1999
General Practices
1.
ALWAYS WEAR GOGGLES OR SAFETY GLASSES.
Refrigerant liquid and battery acid can permanently dam-
age the eyes (see First Aid under Refrigerant Oil).
2.
Never close the compressor discharge valve with the unit
in operation. Never operate the unit with the discharge
valve closed.
3.
Keep your hands, clothing and tools clear of the fans
when the refrigeration unit is running. If it is necessary to
run the refrigeration unit with covers removed, be very
careful with tools or meters being used in the area.
4.
Be sure the gauge manifold hoses are in good condition.
Never let them come in contact with a fan motor blade or
any hot surface.
5.
Never apply heat to a sealed refrigeration system or con-
tainer.
6.
Fluorocarbon refrigerants, in the presence of an open
flame or electrical arc, produce toxic gases that are severe
respiratory irritants capable of causing death.
7.
Be sure all mounting bolts are tight and are the correct
length for their particular application.
8.
Use extreme caution when drilling holes in the unit. The
holes may weaken structural components. Holes drilled into
electrical wiring can cause fire or explosion. Holes drilled
into the refrigeration system may release refrigerant.
9.
Use caution when working around exposed coil fins. The
fins can cause painful lacerations.
10. Use caution when working with a refrigerant or refrigera-
tion system in any closed or confined area with a limited
air supply (for example, a trailer, container or in the hold
of a ship). Refrigerant tends to displace air and can cause
oxygen depletion, resulting in suffocation and possible
death.
11. Use caution and follow the manufacturer’s suggested
practices when using ladders or scaffolds.
Refrigerant
When removing any refrigerant from a unit, use a recovery
process that prevents or absolutely minimizes the refrigerant
that can escape to the atmosphere. Although fluorocarbon
refrigerants are classified as safe refrigerants when proper
tools and procedures are used, certain precautions must be
observed when handling them or servicing a unit in which they
are used. When exposed to the atmosphere in the liquid state,
fluorocarbon refrigerants evaporate rapidly, freezing anything
they contact.
First Aid
In the event of frost bite, the objectives of First Aid are to pro-
tect the frozen area from further injury, to warm the affected
area rapidly, and to maintain respiration.
•
EYES: For contact with liquid, immediately flush eyes
with large amounts of water and get prompt medical atten-
tion.
•
SKIN: Flush area with large amounts of lukewarm water.
Do not apply heat. Remove contaminated clothing and
shoes. Wrap burns with dry, sterile, bulky dressing to
protect from infection/injury. Get medical attention.
Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
•
INHALATION: Move victim to fresh air and use CPR or
mouth-to-mouth ventilation, if necessary. Stay with victim
until arrival of emergency medical personnel.
Safety Precautions
