Flammable refrigerants are becoming increasingly common as the HVACR industry transitions to lower-GWP alternatives.
However, many technicians currently working in the field were never trained to handle these refrigerants during their apprenticeship, creating safety risks for both workers and end-users.
To help close this knowledge gap, a revised Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide, along with supporting fact sheets and new online training modules, have been developed by industry for industry.
Supported by the ARBS Foundation - and AIRAH, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and Refrigerants Australia - these free resources provide practical guidance on the safe handling, installation, servicing and management of flammable refrigerants.
In this session at ARBS 2026, industry representatives will explain why these resources were developed, how they support the sector’s transition to flammable refrigerants, and why safe refrigerant management across the entire lifecycle — from installation through to recovery and destruction — is essential.
The session on day three of ARBS 2026 at 10am will also include a brief demonstration of the guide and associated training resources, giving technicians and business owners clear pathways to build the knowledge and skills needed to work safely with flammable refrigerants.
Moderated by ebm-papst ANZ managing director, Simon Bradwell, the panel includes AIRAH advocacy and policy manager, Mark Vender, Refrigerants Australia executive director, Greg Picker and Refrigerant Reclaim Australia general manager, Kylie Farrelley.
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Farrelley has been instrumental in advancing RRA’s mission to recover and destroy ozone-depleting and synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants.
She has championed the vital role of Australia’s licensed technicians, whose work prevents an average of 11.6 tonnes of emissions per year, over five times the individual limit recommended by the United Nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Under her leadership, RRA has achieved a significant milestone by recovering over 10 million kilograms of synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants, preventing over 19.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.