This Refrigerant Recovery & Charging SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives licensed technicians a clear method for recovering and charging refrigerant on split systems, packaged units, commercial fridges and freezers, and cool room plant. It covers electrical lockout, rated hoses and recovery cylinders on a scale, recovering to vacuum, leak testing with nitrogen, holding vacuum, weighing in the charge, monitoring superheat and subcooling, recording quantities and never venting to atmosphere. 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 technicians
HVAC service and maintenance contractors
Commercial refrigeration businesses
Building services and facilities contractors
Cool room installers
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Chemical and frostbite burns from liquid refrigerant
Asphyxiation from refrigerant displacing oxygen in enclosed spaces
Fire or explosion from flammable refrigerants
Toxic decomposition products from contact with flame or hot surfaces
High-pressure release or injection from lines, hoses and cylinders
Electric shock or arc flash from live components
Eye and skin injury from spray when connecting hoses
Manual handling of refrigerant cylinders
Environmental harm from release to atmosphere
Slips, trips and falls in plant rooms and on rooftops
What's included
9 pre-operational checks, from the refrigerant handling licence and refrigerant type to recovery equipment, cylinders, ventilation, leak detection, isolation, PPE and rooftop conditions
A 12-step operating procedure covering lockout, connecting gauges, recovery to vacuum, labelling cylinders, evacuation, nitrogen leak testing, charging by weight and record keeping
Isolation and energy control for lockout at the unit isolator, discharging capacitors and keeping refrigerant in the circuit until recovery is connected
7 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for unexpected refrigerant release, asphyxiation symptoms, frostbite and fires near flammable refrigerants
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Air Conditioning & Refrigeration SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Is a licence required?
Yes. The work must only be carried out by employees holding a current refrigerant handling licence and any other certification required for the work.
Does it cover car air conditioning?
No. Motor vehicle air conditioning is covered by the Automotive Refrigerant Service SOP.
Does it cover refrigerant reclamation?
No. Recovered refrigerant goes back through an approved collection or supplier pathway. Reclamation itself happens at a licensed facility and isn't covered.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, 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.
