EPA 608, OSHA & Jobsite Safety Study Guide

Four Certification Types:

• Type I: Small appliances (5 lbs or less refrigerant)
• Type II: High-pressure appliances (including split systems)
• Type III: Low-pressure appliances
• Universal: All types

Key Regulations:

• Technicians must be certified to purchase refrigerants
• Proper recovery procedures required
• Leak repair requirements based on charge size
• Record keeping for disposed appliances

Key Topics for HVACR:

• Fall Protection (6-foot rule)
• Electrical Safety (LOTO procedures)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Confined Space Entry
• Hazard Communication (SDS sheets)
• Scaffold Safety

• Refrigerant may never be knowingly vented to the atmosphere during maintenance, service, or disposal.
• Appliances must be evacuated to required vacuum levels before opening, based on the equipment type and charge size.
• Leak rate thresholds trigger a required repair window for larger commercial and industrial systems.
• Technicians must keep refrigerant purchase and recovery records for a set retention period.

• Standard PPE for HVACR work includes safety glasses, gloves rated for refrigerant/chemical exposure, and hearing protection near loud equipment.
• A confined space (crawlspace, mechanical room, rooftop unit enclosure) may require atmospheric testing for oxygen level and hazardous gas before entry.
• Never enter a space with unknown or low oxygen levels without proper training, testing equipment, and a spotter.

• Maintain three points of contact when climbing a ladder.
• Set extension ladders at roughly a 4:1 ratio (one foot out for every four feet of height).
• Roof and platform work above the OSHA threshold requires guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or safety monitoring.
• Inspect ladders before each use — never use one with a damaged rung, rail, or foot.

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) describe the hazards, safe handling, and emergency response for chemicals used on the job, including refrigerants and brazing gases.
• Every jobsite with hazardous chemicals must have accessible SDS sheets for all products in use.
• Labels use standardized pictograms (flame, corrosion, health hazard) so hazards are recognizable at a glance.

• Brazing, soldering, and refrigerant exposure can all produce hazardous fumes - work in ventilated areas whenever possible.
• A confined space (crawlspace, mechanical room, rooftop unit enclosure) must be tested for oxygen level and toxic gas before entry.
• An N95 respirator protects against particulates (dust, insulation fibers) but does not protect against refrigerant gas or combustion byproducts - use the correct respirator cartridge for the hazard present.
• Never enter a permit-required confined space without a trained attendant and a documented entry permit.

• A2L refrigerants (R-32, R-454B) are mildly flammable, requiring spark-free tools and refrigerant leak sensors in equipment designed for them.
• Never use an open flame (torch) near a system suspected of an A2L leak until the area has been ventilated and tested safe.
• A2L-rated equipment includes a mandatory leak detection sensor that shuts down or ventilates automatically if a leak is detected.
• Brazing on A2L systems still requires a nitrogen purge, same as any other refrigerant circuit, to prevent oxidation and contamination.