5 FAQ ABOUT WORKING WITH REFRIGERATION

Anyone who plans to work with refrigerants on the job must obtain their Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) section 608 technician certification. They need to do this before they maintain, repair, or dispose of appliances that contain refrigerants.

All certification exams include the same core section that tests your knowledge of current refrigerant regulations, the ways that refrigerants affect the environment, the safe handling of these substances, and more refrigeration basics.

Type I, II, and III exams include a second section that tests your knowledge of the specific type of appliances you want to become certified to work with. The universal exam contains all three additional sections included in the three aforementioned exams. If you do not want to answer all questions required to earn your universal certificate at once, you can instead earn this certification by taking and passing Type I, Type II, and Type III exams on separate days.

Since these exams are known to be tough, prepare for them by taking a refrigeration training course that aims to prepare you to obtain your EPA refrigeration certification before you take one or more of them.

However, many people who become certified in refrigeration choose to become full-time or part-time refrigeration technicians.

A refrigeration technician may also keep records of equipment inspections and repairs, order new parts for refrigeration equipment, or assemble new refrigeration system components.

In addition, as new refrigeration technician becomes a more experienced one, they may oversee other technicians or inspect their work to ensure it is completed properly.

While many refrigerant types can be hazardous to humans, these hazards are greatly reduced or even eliminated with proper safety precautions.

You can learn all about refrigerant hazards and how to avoid them during the refrigeration course you take when preparing for your EPA refrigeration certification exam. Then, when you take your exam, you will be tested on your refrigerant safety knowledge. This can ensure you are prepared to handle these substances safely while on the job.

Typically, refrigerant technicians are required to wear safety goggles or a full-face shield; long pants; long-sleeved shirts; protective gloves; and safety shoes at the workplace. This important safety gear protects technicians from skin and eye damage that could occur if a liquid refrigerant splatters or is spilled.

Many workplaces also have refrigerant vapor sensors. These sensors alert staff to gas refrigerant leaks, as well as special ventilation pipes and exhaust systems that help eliminate the gas from the workplace air before it harms the health of employees.