Refrigerator: Service Precautions

AS86.61-Z-0001-02H Risk Of Explosion Caused By Welding And Soldering Work On Refrigerant Circuit Of Refrigerator Box. Risk Of Poisoning Caused By Inhaling Overheated Refrigerant Vapors. Risk Of Injury To Skin And Eyes Caused By Contact With Liquid Refrigerant.
- with CODE (Z07) Top protection

DANGER: Never perform welding work on or near refrigerator box or compressor. No smoking or open flames. Wear safety glasses and protective gloves. Work only in well ventilated areas.

Potential risks

Risk of explosion
When the closed refrigerant circuit of the refrigerator box (charged or empty) becomes heated, high pressure is produced that can ultimately cause the system to burst. For this reason, all welding and soldering work on or near the refrigerator box and the compressor are strictly prohibited.
High pressure levels can combine with refrigerant vapors to produce a mixture that is potentially explosive when exposed to atmospheric air.

Risk of poisoning
The refrigerant can decompose when overheated. The resulting substances are toxic and should never be inhaled.

Risk of injury
Refrigerant vapors are heavier than the air and therefore there is a risk of suffocation in work pits below vehicles when refrigerant escapes the vehicles.
Contact with liquid refrigerant may cause frostbite-like damage to the skin (due to undercooling).

Safety instructions/precautions
^ All welding and soldering work on or near the refrigerator box or the compressor are strictly prohibited.
^ Never smoke when working with refrigerant, never expose refrigerant to open flames.
^ A piercing odor can indicate overheated refrigerant - never inhale these vapors. Immediately vacate and ventilate closed areas.
^ Because it poses a hazard to the atmosphere as well as to personal health and safety, discharging refrigerant directly into the air is prohibited.
^ Suitable evacuation, treatment and charging devices equipped with integral disposal and treatment facilities must be used for evacuating refrigerant.
^ Despite the system being empty, high pressure may still exist when disconnecting the connectors between the refrigerator box and the compressor. You should therefore always loosen connectors carefully to allow any accumulated pressure to escape.
^ Avoid all contact with liquid refrigerant.
^ Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves when working with refrigerant.

First aid measures

In case of eye contact
^ Immediately flush with plenty of running water and consult a physician.

In case of skin contact
^ Consult a physician immediately in case of frostbite.

After inhaling a high concentration of refrigerant vapors
^ Immediately move victim to fresh air and keep victim calm.
^ If the victim's breathing is shallow, or the individual has stopped breathing altogether, tilt the head back and administer artificial resuscitation. Call a doctor.

In case of ingestion
^ Consult a physician immediately.