Identifying & Preventing Common HVAC Contractor Injuries

The comfort we receive due to HVAC technology is a modern marvel we take for granted. It’s the same for not recognizing that HVAC contractors are all essential workers. The pleasant, livable conditions we enjoy in brutal winters and scorching summers are possible because HVAC contractors are willing to do risky installation work to deliver and maintain our comfortable indoor environments.  This report identifies HVAC industry construction workplace hazards and safety tips to avoid accidents at the job site. 

HVAC technicians install, operate, and repair the heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, refrigeration equipment that controls the temperature and air quality in homes, schools, hospitals, offices, factories, and other commercial buildings. The equipment is both bulky and heavy and is often installed in tight quarters. Removing heavy, obsolete, and sometimes damaged equipment and insulation before installing new replacements can cause accidents leading to short- and long-term strains, or worse injuries, to multiple areas of the body.

Slips, trips, and falls cause approximately 25% of all injuries sustained across all industries. While 6% of slips, trips, and falls on job sites occur on the ground level, sadly, greater than 5% of falls result from a fall between two or more stories. 

Heavy Lifting, Bulky Equipment & Tight Spaces Are Problems

Many of the most common injuries, caused by mistakes and workplace accidents that cause slips, falls, or trips, are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including:

●         Muscle strains and low back injuries

●         Rotator cuff injuries to the shoulder

●         Carpal tunnel syndrome

●         Tendinitis

●         Epicondylitis relating to elbow injuries

●         Trigger finger

A simple prevention method to avoid accidents and injury is to pause and visualize the safest way before lifting heavy items, bending over to lift bulky equipment, straining to reach overhead work areas, pushing, and pulling heavy loads. Try to avoid actions that put the body posture in awkward positions for extended periods with repetitive motions. It is quite common for HVAC contractors to work alone, which invites overexertion, strain, and injury, especially when there is pressure to complete a job. Accurately assessing workforce needs before sending a tech to the site will reduce many MSD injuries by sharing the load and having more eyes on the job. 

Electrical Hazards

HVAC units run on systems involving electrical wiring, which can present unseen danger. Before beginning to work, it’s imperative for techs to de-energize any equipment requiring tests, repairs, inspections, or other services. One of the best safety tools for your company is to give HVAC techs an electrical process reminder checklist to do these things:

●         Shut off the breaker panel’s power to the circuit assigned to the unit where the work will be completed.

●         Make sure to lock out the breaker and tag it to keep others from turning the power back on until the work on the unit is complete.

●         Only use a meter rated for the type of circuit being tested to know if it shows electrical energy before beginning the job.

Chemical Exposure Injuries

HVAC work puts techs in potential exposure to materials such as refrigerants, cleaning liquids, solvents, gases, and other dangerous chemicals. Working conditions, such as extreme heat, can cause some supposedly safe refrigerants, as rated by manufacturers, to have increased toxicity that increases hazards to technicians’ health and illnesses through repeat exposure. Keeping HVAC contractors safe requires safety training on the proper procedures on how to work with these chemicals. Besides training to emphasize awareness and using an abundance of caution, supplying techs with adequate protective personal equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, protective footwear, and HVAC-rated work gloves are necessary.

HVAC contractors must handle pressurized gas cylinders used to store R-410A refrigerant with care. Extreme heat from the summer sun or onsite conditions make them potentially volatile if bumped or tipped over. The American Welding Society recommends these handling and storage procedures:

●      Secure cylinders in an upright position with a chain or strap in a proper cylinder cart.

●      Ensure valves are entirely closed, and any protection devices are secured.

●      Keep cylinders in a ventilated location free from excessive heat and electrical circuits.

●      Ensure safety measures, such as caps or guards, are securely installed.

●      Use a cart or hand truck. Do NOT drag or roll cylinders.

Respiratory Sickness and Injury

The most common health risks HVAC technicians are exposed to are respiratory-related. Dirty HVAC and air conditioner filters are a safety hazard that can catch bacteria, mold, and fungus. Carbon monoxide can leak from both faulty pilot lights and furnace heat exchangers. Use industrial-grade face masks to prevent inhaling airborne poisons, especially when working near them for extended periods. Depending on the job’s nature, a cartridge-style mask or self-contained breathing mask designed for operating in dangerous, contaminated, and confined spaces is necessary. Refer to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) respiratory safety standards.

Ladder Liability Dangers

Ladders are inherently dangerous, and even more so on HVAC construction sites. A CDC report indicates ladders account for 80 percent of emergency room visits for injuries related to falls. Workplace instances of occupational fatalities involving ladder accidents are among the most reported. Taking the time to use ladders properly saves injuries and lives:

• Always maintain a three-point contact, which is having both feet on the ladder with at least one hand or use both hands with at least one foot on the ladder.
• Ensure the ladder’s base is at a safe angle, which you do by placing it one-fourth of its working height (length) from the wall supporting it.
• When raising a ladder over a short roof, make sure the extension or top of a straight ladder extends 3 feet or more above the point of support. 
• Engage and set all locks when using a folding or extension ladder.

Extreme Weather Environments

Nearly all HVAC contractors frequently perform some of their work outdoors in extreme situations ranging from sizzling 100-plus degree-heat or sub-zero cold climates. These harsh conditions expose them to various risks such as dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia, frostbite, and fatigue. While the discomfort of working in challenging climate conditions is unavoidable, the risks mentioned here are. Proper clothing and protective gear are a must. Knowing one’s limits, being mindful of adequate hydration needs, and taking breaks as needed is essential, particularly when doing the most strenuous tasks. These tips are vital and necessary to protect HVAC techs. 

Work with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Depending on the nature of the tasks to perform on the job and its location, HVAC contractors may need some or more of this list of most common PPE items:

●      Steel-toed work boots with slip-proof soles

●      Full-coverage water repellent clothing designed for the situation

●      Thick HVAC work gloves

●      Hard hat

●      Safety goggles

●      Face shield

●      Respirator

●      Earplugs with adequate noise protection

Helping our insureds and their employees goes beyond working hard to provide the right NJ HVAC insurance coverage and protection we can offer. We wish to share our decades of experience, along with the extensive expertise and knowledge of HVAC safety procedures our insurance carriers provide. We know helping you keep your employees safe is good for them and their families and is the best way to keep your claims experience low and your premium rates competitive. 

About Dickstein Associates Agency

Dickstein Associates Agency has distinguished itself as a leading provider of personal and business insurance in the tri-state area for over 55 years. We pride ourselves on being advocates for our clients and providing them with quality and affordable coverages. As an independent insurance agency, we partner with various carriers, allowing for flexible and unbiased coverage for each client’s unique circumstances. For more information on how you can leverage all of your insurance to work best for you, and how we can secure the best insurance in the marketplace based on your specific needs, contact us today at (800) 862-6662.