What belongs in a refrigerant risk management plan?

What the plan has to show

The plan must reflect the emission risks and controls relevant to your refrigerant handling and storage, including work from a vehicle, a workshop and a customer's site. ARC applies this requirement to sole traders as well as larger RTA businesses.

Include only the risks that are valid for your business. The format and medium are at the RTA's discretion. ARC notes that insufficient plans are one of the main reasons RTA applications are not approved, and that a sample plan covering the broadest risk assessment is on its website.

Sources[1]

The six headings ARC uses

ARC's guide to a plan that will be accepted works through these headings.

Sources[1]

Implement it, not just file it

ARC's reporting guidance says RTA holders must implement an effective plan for refrigerant handling and storage. Our suggestion is to write each activity from what your crew actually does, in the workshop, in the vehicle and at the customer's site, then have the named person check it against real jobs at each review.

Sources[2][1]

Plan outline you can copy

This layout is our example, not an ARC form. Replace every square bracket, and add only controls you have checked against the relevant standards and codes.

REFRIGERANT RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN (working outline)

Business: [name]   RTA number: [number]
Plan owner: [name]   Date prepared: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Next review (at least annually): [DD/MM/YYYY]

ACTIVITY 1: [for example, storing cylinders at the depot]
Where it happens: [depot / vehicle / customer site]
How refrigerant could escape: [risk]
Standard or code reference: [reference you have checked]
Control measure: [what you do]
Person responsible: [name]
How we check it is followed: [check and frequency]

ACTIVITY 2: [repeat the block above for each activity]

REVIEW LOG
Reviewed on [DD/MM/YYYY] by [name]. Changes made: [list or none].

Sources[1]

Common questions

What are the current refrigerant regulations in Australia?

This guide covers one part only: the risk management plan an RTA business must have, implement and review at least annually. It does not set out the wider refrigerant rules or any restrictions on particular gases. Check ARC's legislation and regulation information for the current position.[1][2]

What is the current standard for risk management in Australia?

ARC does not name one standard for the plan. Its guide asks you to reference the Australian standards and codes of practice that apply to your refrigerant activities, and it points to the codes of practice online and the Australian standards through Standards Australia.[1]