To prevent accidental releases of refrigerants during maintenance and repair operations, HVAC professionals should: follow proper lockout/tagout procedures to ensure equipment is safely shut down; use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, and respirators; ensure all connections and fittings are secure and tightened properly; use leak detectors and other tools to identify potential leaks; and follow established procedures for recovering and handling refrigerants during maintenance and repair operations. Additionally, technicians should be trained on emergency response procedures in the event of an accidental release.