Approved Filler - when do I need one?

ARE THERE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A TECHNICIAN DOESN’T NEED AN APPROVED FILLER LICENSE?

RLNZ has been fielding enquiries (generally from the automotive industry) asking if there are circumstances where a technician doesn’t need an Approved Filler License.

“Regulation 15.64 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 places restrictions on persons who may charge a gas container. It is quite clear that a person directly filling a gas cylinder is required to be an Approved Filler.

Also, a person may fill a cylinder if they are undertaking a course of instruction or other training to become an Approved Filler and they are supervised at all times by an Approved Filler”.

Refrigerant Recovery Units

Refrigerant recovery units are of two general types:

1. Refrigerant Recovery Unit - electronic scales

Units that decant refrigerant gas into a recovery cylinder that is placed on electronic scales, to weigh-in the refrigerant, and ensure the cylinder is not over filled. The operator needs to know the maximum filled weight for that refrigerant/cylinder combination.

WorkSafe considers that where the recovery cylinder is independent of the recovery unit, the technician is required to be an Approved Filler.

RLNZ recommends sitting the A1 and A2/A2L Approved Filler courses

2. Refrigerant Recovery Unit - located inside the unit

Units that decant refrigerant gas into a recovery cylinder that is located inside the unit. The cylinder sits on a load cell, and there are safety mechanisms to prevent an overfill.

WorkSafe considers that where the recovery cylinder is contained within the recovery unit, the technician is not required to be an Approved Filler.

Whilst it is not required by law, RLNZ recommends it is best practice for a company to have a trained technician that has an Approved Fillers License in case their unit is out of action. An A1 Approved Filler License is recommended.