CCT Safety Standards & Regulatory Compliance 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Casper technician completes a repair on a system containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant. What record-keeping is required under EPA Section 608?
- Maintain service records documenting refrigerant added and recovered for at least 3 years (Correct answer)
- File a report with the EPA within 30 days of completing the service
- Submit records to the building owner only; no EPA documentation is required
- Post refrigerant usage on the equipment nameplate after each service
Correct answer: Maintain service records documenting refrigerant added and recovered for at least 3 years
EPA Section 608 requires technicians and owners to maintain service records for appliances containing 50+ pounds of refrigerant for a minimum of 3 years.
Question 2: What is the correct procedure when a technician finds that a recovery machine's oil has become contaminated with acid from a burned-out compressor?
- Change the oil, replace the filter-drier, and verify the machine is clean before the next use (Correct answer)
- Continue using the machine; acid contamination does not affect recovery performance
- Discard the recovery machine entirely — it cannot be cleaned after acid exposure
- Add a neutralizing agent to the oil and continue operating normally
Correct answer: Change the oil, replace the filter-drier, and verify the machine is clean before the next use
Contaminated recovery machine oil must be changed, the filter-drier replaced, and the unit verified clean to prevent cross-contaminating refrigerant from future jobs.
Question 3: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), what is an employer's obligation when introducing a new refrigerant chemical to the workplace?
- Obtain the SDS, update the chemical inventory, and train employees on the new hazard (Correct answer)
- Post a warning sign near the storage area only
- Notify OSHA within 5 business days of introducing the new chemical
- Only inform employees who directly handle the refrigerant
Correct answer: Obtain the SDS, update the chemical inventory, and train employees on the new hazard
HazCom requires employers to maintain SDSs, update chemical inventories, and train all potentially exposed employees when new chemicals are introduced.
Question 4: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for an electrical fire involving a refrigeration system's control panel?
- Class C (CO2 or dry chemical) (Correct answer)
- Class A (water-based)
- Class B (foam)
- Class D (dry powder for metals)
Correct answer: Class C (CO2 or dry chemical)
Class C extinguishers are rated for energized electrical equipment and will not conduct electricity or damage components as water-based types would.
Question 5: What does the ASHRAE refrigerant safety classification 'A1' indicate?
- Lower toxicity and no flame propagation (Correct answer)
- Higher toxicity and lower flammability
- Lower toxicity and higher flammability
- Higher toxicity and no flame propagation
Correct answer: Lower toxicity and no flame propagation
ASHRAE's 'A' designation means lower toxicity and '1' means no flame propagation was observed during testing.
Question 6: Which condition would require a technician to perform an immediate equipment shutdown and evacuation of an occupied space?
- Detection of refrigerant concentration above the ASHRAE 34 ATEL or room concentration limit (Correct answer)
- A minor refrigerant hiss detected during routine visual inspection
- A 5% drop in system suction pressure over one hour
- High ambient temperature causing a 10 psi rise in head pressure
Correct answer: Detection of refrigerant concentration above the ASHRAE 34 ATEL or room concentration limit
When refrigerant concentration reaches or exceeds ASHRAE 34's Acute Toxicity Exposure Limit (ATEL) or room concentration limit, immediate evacuation is required to protect occupants.
Question 7: A technician must lift a heavy recovery cylinder onto a truck. Which safe lifting technique should be used to prevent injury?
- Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the leg muscles (Correct answer)
- Bend at the waist and lift using back muscles for maximum leverage
- Tilt the cylinder onto its valve cap and drag it to the truck
- Use one hand on the valve and one on the body to swing it into position
Correct answer: Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the leg muscles
Proper ergonomic lifting requires bending the knees, maintaining a straight back, and using leg muscles to reduce spinal injury risk.
CCT Safety Standards & Regulatory Compliance 4
A Casper technician completes a repair on a system containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant.
What record-keeping is required under EPA Section 608?