This Brazing and Silver Soldering of Refrigeration Pipework SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled and covers brazing copper refrigeration and air conditioning pipework with an oxy-fuel torch and nitrogen purge. It sets out the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for 28 activities, from notifying occupants and the hot work permit to pressure testing, recharging and emergency response. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
HVAC installation and service contractors
Commercial refrigeration and coolroom businesses
Facilities maintenance contractors working on rooftop and plant room equipment
 
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Notifying occupants, hot work permits, fire system isolation and avoiding hot work where possible
Clearing combustibles, and assessing plant rooms, ceiling voids and coolrooms as confined spaces
Electrical isolation, identifying flammable A2L and A3 refrigerants, and recovery before heating
Toxic decomposition products such as hydrogen fluoride when refrigerant passes through the flame
Gas cylinder handling and storage, including LPG pooling in pits and basements
Torch set inspection, flashback arrestors and oxygen enrichment
Nitrogen purge set-up, regulator use and oxygen displacement in enclosed areas
Corrosive flux, cadmium fume, and fume from heating lagging, PVC and cable insulation
Brazing in ceiling voids and on rooftops, including falls and suspension trauma
Fire watch after brazing for smouldering insulation and debris
Pressure testing with nitrogen, evacuation, recharging and start-up
Emergency response to burns, fire, refrigerant release or fume exposure
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 28 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials, and maintenance checks for torch sets, hoses, regulators and flashback arrestors
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS 1674.1 for hot work fire precautions and AS 4839 for oxy-fuel gas systems
Licence notes covering the ARCtick refrigerant handling licence, refrigerant trading authorisation and hydrocarbon competency
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for brazing refrigeration pipework?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, for example work on or near refrigerant lines, brazing in a confined space, or working on rooftop plant where someone could fall more than 2 metres. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover flammable refrigerants like R32 and R290?
Yes. It covers identifying A2L and A3 refrigerants such as R32, R454B, R1234yf and R290 before any heat is applied, recovering refrigerant before brazing, and the separate competency hydrocarbons need because the refrigerant handling licence covers fluorocarbons only.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.