FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Update on registration in the
safe handling of refrigerants
Throughout the industry, reference is made to registration in the safe handling
of refrigerants — but what does this really mean?
By John Ackermann
The law requires that everyone working on pressurised circuits be registered by SAQCC Gas as competent to perform the scope of work for which they are registered
T
raining providers across the country offer
short courses that will qualify the student,
if proved competent, for registration
by the South African Qualification and
Certification Committee for Gas
(SAQCC Gas) in the safe handling
of refrigerants (SHOR).
These days, tenders by consultants often
specify that those who service or install
the refrigeration or air-conditioning plant,
be registered by SAQCC Gas. There are
different categories of registration and each
is proof that the holder is competent to
perform the tasks for which registered.
Registration became a legal requirement
as defined in regulations 2 and 17 of the
Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER),
gazetted in July 2009.
Revisions and guide notes have since
been published, with the last in Government
Gazette 41256 of 17 November 2017.
In layman terms, the law requires all
persons who work on pressurised circuits
(refrigeration and air-conditioning systems)
to be registered by SAQCC Gas as
competent to perform the scope of work
for which registered. Registration by SAQCC
Gas is done under the authority of the chief