Refrigeration Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

People often ask, “Can I have a Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for Refrigeration?” “A document that covers everything?”  The answer is not really. 


A Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) needs to document step by step how you are going to do a particular job. Not all jobs are the same! Are you going to install a refrigeration unit to a cool room or install a complete supermarket freezer system with underfloor pipework?

The steps in undertaking each of these tasks are very different. Not only are the steps different, but the potential hazards and the hazard control measures are very different as well.

Adhering to proper refrigeration safety protocols is essential to prevent accidents and ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials

Danger Zone: Unveiling the Hazards Lurking in Refrigeration Work

 

Refrigeration in cool rooms preserves perishables by maintaining low temperatures for extended freshness.
Adhering to safety protocols during refrigeration maintenance ensures protection against hazards and prevents accidents.
Refrigeration work often includes several High-Risk construction activities.

Dangers Refrigeration Work:

  • Toxic Refrigerants: Handling toxic refrigerants requires proper training and precautions.
  • Flammability: Following safety guidelines prevents fire hazards with flammable refrigerants.
  • Asphyxiation: Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent asphyxiation from certain refrigerants.
  • Physical Hazards: Using protective gear and safe practices prevents injuries from heavy equipment.

Refrigerant Safety:

  • Understanding and following safety guidelines minimize risks from toxic or flammable refrigerants.
  • Regular leak checks and safe handling practices are essential to prevent exposure.

Ammonia and Halocarbons:

  • Ammonia, common in industrial systems, is toxic and requires caution.
  • Halocarbons, like Freon®, pose risks if mishandled despite being less toxic.

Electrical Hazards:

  • Precautions against electrical shocks include proper grounding and awareness of live circuits.

Confined Spaces:

  • Working in tight spaces requires adherence to confined space protocols and safety equipment.

Proper Ventilation:

  • Regular maintenance of ventilation systems ensures fresh air circulation and prevents gas buildup.

Heavy Lifting and Ergonomics:

  • Avoiding musculoskeletal issues involves using proper lifting techniques and ergonomic practices.

Fall from Heights:

  • Refrigeration work often involves the risk of falling 2 or more metres. 

Preparing SWMS, safety training and awareness of hazards are crucial for a secure refrigeration work environment!

Under the WHS act you must prepare a SWMS for High-Risk Construction Work. 

There are 18 high risk construction work activities defined in the WHS Regulations.

When undertaking Refrigeration Work common high-risk activities include:

  • Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
  • Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
  • Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
  •  Work on or near pressirised gas mains or piping

A SWMS provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to perform a task safely.

It ensures that everyone involved understands the necessary steps, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to confusion or misunderstanding.
 
The JSEAsy Safety Management Software builds your site-specific SWMS for your plumbing job by adding templates of the steps you are going to take, in the order in which you are going to take them.
 

Watch a detailed demonstration video on how to create a new site-specific SWMS using existing templates.

Making SWMS has never been easier, just pick your job steps and the JSEAsy safety management software does all the hard work for you.

Properly installing display chest freezers ensures optimal performance and product visibility.
This is an extract of an example Full SWMS Report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

JSEA/ SWMS Example

Below is an example of templates you may insert into your site-specific SWMS for Installation of a commercial refrigeration system for a supermarket.

  1. Site Orientation/ Induction
  2. Claim Work Area
  3. Claim Work Area
  4. Working in open trench
  5. Installation of underfloor refrigeration Ductwork
  6. Apply silicone to joins
  7. Run connecting copper pipework and fit off
  8. Cut copper pipe with tube cutter
  9. Prepare the pipes for soldering/ welding
  10. Weld/ Silver Solder the copper tubes together
  11. Place copper pipes into trench ducting
  12. Pressure testing of pipework with nitrogen and charge with refrigerant (HCFC)
  13. Mixing Polyurethane Isocyanate in a bucket using an electric drill
  14. Pour Polyurethane Isocyanate into pipe duct
  15. Installation of pipe duct Covers
  16. Cutting Sheetmetal covers to form corners
  17. Screw Cover to tray using a battery drill
  18. Safety Check and Use of Scissor Lift to install pipework and support system
  19. Cut Steel/ Unistrut with drop saw
  20. Installation of threaded rod hanging bars
  21. Installation of support angles or channels to hanging rods
  22. Run connecting copper pipework and fit off
  23. Secure pipework to structure with saddles
  24. Access work area Using a platform ladder
  25. Hang Fan cooler unit inside cool room
  26. Tension nuts using a battery powered rattle gun
  27. Claim Work Area to prepare for Crane lift for installation of Main Plant, Compressor sets, fan units and switchboard
  28. Crane Set Up
  29. Land Members into position with Crane
  30. Safety inspection and use of Forklift to position Refrigerated compartments
  31. Install TX Valve
  32. Prepare the pipes for soldering/ welding
  33. Weld/ Silver Solder the copper tubes together
  34. Run connecting copper pipework and fit off
  35. Pressure testing of pipework with nitrogen and charge with refrigerant (HCFC)
  36. Connect new cables into electrical plant/ equipment
  37. Connect new cables into existing switchboard
  38. Test the electrical installation
  39. Cleaning up work area
  40. Fill out and issue Electrical Certificate of Compliance
  41. monitoring and Review of SWMS
There are over 1000 SWMS templated for multiple industries included in the JSEAsy EHS Software.

Automating the process

When you insert a template using the JSEAsy EHS Software, it automatically brings with it:

  1. The main process step
  2. The sub process steps associated in undertaking the task
    1. The potential hazards associated with undertaking the task (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    2. The Risk Rating for undertaking the task (You can also change this if you want to)
    3. The Hazard Control measure (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    4. The revised risk rating after applying the control (You can also change this if you want to)
    5. Any required PPE (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    6. Any applicable licences or qualifications required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    7. Any preoperational inspections required (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
    8. Any applicable legislation or codes of practice (you can also delete or add any of these with a simple click)
JSEAsy award winning Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software
Refrigeration in plant rooms maintains temperature control for industrial processes and equipment.
You must consider safe access for maintenance when installing refrigeration on a plant platform.

Creating Site-Specific SWMS Reports with JSEAsy Safety Management Software

Creating a site-specific SWMS is easy using JSEAsy . Once created, you can print/ save a pdf of either a full or simplified SWMS report. 

Download an example of a full SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

Download an example of a simplified SWMS report generated from the JSEAsy EHS Software.

The JSEAsy software comes preloaded with hundreds of templates (job steps) to build your site-specific SWMS with.

Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) and Plant and Equipment Risk Assessments (PERA) are also included in all versions.

The JSEAsy Premium EHS Software is your total WHS management system.

The JSEAsy safety management software is available for download and install on a PC, or hosted in the cloud

JSEAsy Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Process: Click the Links below to learn more about JSEAsy Safety Management Software and the process.

View an Infographic about How JSEAsy Software works.

See the different versions of the JSEAsy software.

When you buy or Rent JSEAsy you have access to all of the latest version SWMS templates, for all trades and industries.

Download the JSEAsy latest version SWMS template register.

This is a register sorted by industry type and industry specific of all of the SWMS templates included in the latest version of the JSEAsy Safety Management Software.

Without refrigeration we wouldn’t have cold beer. Now that would be disastrous!
Ensure adequate support when hanging evaporators to ensure the safety of the installation.

JSEAsy Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Software

Process: Click the Links below to learn more about JSEAsy Safety Management Software and the process.

View an Infographic about How JSEAsy Software works.

See the different versions of the JSEAsy software.

When you buy or Rent JSEAsy you have access to all of the latest version SWMS templates, for all trades and industries.

Download the JSEAsy latest version SWMS template register.

This is a register sorted by industry type and industry specific of all of the SWMS templates included in the latest version of the JSEAsy Safety Management Software.

Save time and Money!

 

Hundreds of templates included – 1 low price – Exceptional value!

When you buy or rent the JSEAsy Safety Management Software, not only to get all of the templates specifically for refrigeration work but you also get all of the templates for all of the other industries and trades as well. Refrigeration contractors don’t just connect up freezers!

You will also benefit from many of the Air Conditioning, Truck, Civil, and other building trades templates.

Order Now!
Thousands of SWMS templates included in the JSEAsy SWMS software.

A list of all the templates included in all versions of the JSEAsy EHS software is shown below.

  • You can search by scrolling through the list of all templates.
  • You can apply filters to the list by selecting an Industry Type
  • You can further refine the list by selecting and industry type and an industry specific.
  • You can do key word searches for templates.  If you can’t find what you are looking for try:
    • Shortening the search term. For example, searching for “deliv” would show deliver and deliveries, but if you searched for deliveries, it would exclude deliver.
    • Look for a synonyms/ alternate word for what you are looking for. E.g. tube or pipe

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