Download a free R404A Refrigerant COSHH assessment for documenting the safe use, handling, storage, recovery and control of R404A refrigerant in the workplace. This editable COSHH assessment template is designed for refrigeration engineers, air conditioning engineers, HVAC companies, cold room contractors, facilities managers, maintenance teams, food storage operators, retail refrigeration users, commercial kitchens, workshops and plant rooms where R404A is used in refrigeration or cooling systems.
R404A Refrigerant is a blended hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant made from R-125, R-143a and R-134a. It has been widely used in commercial refrigeration applications such as cold rooms, freezer rooms, display cabinets, refrigerated vehicles, chillers, ice machines and low or medium temperature refrigeration systems. Because R404A is a pressurised refrigerant gas and may displace oxygen if released in enclosed areas, it should be assessed under COSHH for safe handling, cylinder storage, charging, recovery, leak response, pressure hazards, frostbite risk and environmental controls.
This R404A Refrigerant COSHH assessment template helps employers and responsible persons record key product details, intended use, refrigerant cylinder storage, charging and recovery methods, exposure controls, ventilation requirements, leak response, pressure hazards, emergency procedures, first aid information, environmental controls, PPE requirements, user instructions and review dates. It provides a practical starting point for workplaces needing an R404A COSHH assessment, R404A refrigerant COSHH template, HFC refrigerant safety document, commercial refrigeration COSHH assessment or free health and safety document template for refrigeration and HVAC substances.
Employers and duty holders have a legal responsibility to assess substances and gases used during work activities and make sure employees, engineers, contractors, building users and others are not exposed to unnecessary health and safety risks. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, hazardous substances must be identified, assessed and controlled where required. Because R404A is supplied as a gas under pressure, employers should also consider the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, which includes duties for gases under pressure and dangerous substances that could create safety risks in the workplace.
For products such as R404A Refrigerant, the COSHH assessment should reflect the actual work being carried out, including cylinder handling, transporting cylinders, connecting gauges and hoses, pressure testing, charging refrigeration equipment, recovering refrigerant, leak detection, working in plant rooms, cold rooms or poorly ventilated areas, avoiding uncontrolled releases and ensuring only compatible tools, cylinders and recovery equipment are used. The assessment should also consider emergency ventilation, refrigerant gas detection where required, prevention of frostbite from liquid contact and the risk of oxygen displacement if refrigerant is released in confined or low-lying areas.
Because R404A is an F-gas, the assessment should also consider specific F-gas legal responsibilities. Personnel working on equipment containing F gases must hold the correct qualifications, and companies carrying out work on stationary refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump equipment for others may require company certification. Suitable arrangements should also be in place for refrigerant leak checks, recovery, record keeping, labelling, recycling, reclaiming or disposal, depending on the system type, refrigerant charge and work being carried out.
A clear R404A Refrigerant COSHH assessment helps demonstrate that refrigerant handling, gas cylinder storage, pressure hazards, leak response, engineer competence, F-gas compliance and environmental protection have been properly considered as part of workplace health and safety management. This is particularly useful for refrigeration engineers, air conditioning contractors, cold room service teams, facilities teams, food storage operators, retail maintenance providers, building managers, maintenance supervisors and duty holders responsible for refrigeration plant, cooling systems, refrigerant storage, contractor control and service documentation.
The document can be customised with your company details, site location, equipment type, refrigerant charge size, cylinder storage area, work activity, authorised users, engineer competence, ventilation arrangements, leak response procedures, PPE requirements and review date. Once completed, the assessment can be downloaded as a PDF, stored in your compliance records or shared with engineers, contractors, facilities teams, refrigeration technicians, supervisors and health and safety representatives.
Relevant compliance includes the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations, Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 where relevant, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 as amended, UK CLP requirements, UK REACH duties where applicable, HSE COSHH guidance, HSE DSEAR guidance, GOV.UK F-gas guidance and the requirement to use the product label and manufacturer’s safety data sheet when completing a suitable and sufficient assessment.