Walk-in coolers and freezers are vitally important to any restaurant or grocery store, as they store perishable items that must be maintained within a specific temperature range. However, as with any machine, they pose the potential of mechanical failure, which could lead to personal injury if not handled properly.
If not appropriately addressed, this failure could be the difference between life and death. This article explores some tips on employee safety in walk-in coolers and freezers to help you avoid accidents like burns and falls.
Dangers Associated With Walk-In Coolers and Freezers
Walk-in coolers are designed to maintain constant cold temperatures throughout their storage space. While these refrigerators can provide an important safeguard for perishable goods, they can also be potentially dangerous for workers to enter unsupervised.
In contrast, many companies have developed health and safety policies for their employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that more than 30 deaths of food service workers were recorded between 2001 and 2010 due to accidents involving refrigeration equipment.
To this effect, the body designated refrigeration as a targeted industry sector for inspection efforts. Due to the hazards associated with working around refrigerated equipment, restaurant owners should ensure all staff members are properly trained to operate walk-in coolers safely.
Ways to Keep Employees Safe in Walk-in Coolers and Freezers
It’s a fact: Walk-in coolers and freezers are incredibly dangerous. Not only do they cause worker injuries, but those injuries can be costly. To protect yourself, your fellow employees, your customers, and your company from those costs, here are some tips on how to safely enter a walk-in cooler or freezer.
Encourage the Use of PPE.
Personal Protective Equipment like jackets, hats, and gloves protects the body from injuries.
While it might seem common sense, many workers forget about their clothing when entering a walk-in. The last thing you want is your arms to get cold when reaching into an ice chest.
For example, mittens over your hands will help keep them warmer. Also, mittens are explicitly designed for handling food products, so you don’t accidentally cross-contaminate anything.
Use Insulated Boots
Be sure to wear insulated boots as well – whether non-slip shoes or boots with rubber soles – so you don’t slip while trying to retrieve a product from a cooler or freezer.
Clean your unit
Persistent odors often indicate sanitation or airflow problems. Keeping your cooler or freezer clean is one of the best ways to keep employees safe. A cluttered area can increase the risk for tripping and falls, resulting in an injury. Cleaning filters help prevent harmful moldy odors both inside and out while maintaining good air quality at its most important levels! Cluttered coolers or freezers can increase the risk of tripping while working and increase the risk of getting injured.
Dry freezer surfaces
Make sure to keep your surface as dry and clean as possible, with no ice patches on the floor that might give someone slip hazard while they work in this chilly environment! Clean spills immediately so you don’t have residue building up, which poses an even greater risk of injury from falls.
Use your unit safely.
Overloaded coolers make it harder for employees to move safely and increase injury risk.. Ensure that the floor is clear and any stacks of boxes on top are secure, so everyone always has access to their necessities!
Clear floor space, so employees always have access and do not risk getting caught up within such incidents.
Invest in maintenance and repairs
Preventive maintenance reduces mechanical failures that can create unsafe working conditions.. Routine maintenance will keep them running smoothly! This can significantly improve the safety of your unit, reduce leaks, cut down mold and mildew development, improve the overall safety of your workplace, and prevent employee injuries.
Worker Safety Tips – How to Safely Exit From a Walk-In Cooler or Freezer
Several workers are injured or killed while working in their employer’s walk-in cooler or freezer every year. These tragedies can be avoided by following these simple guidelines for safe exiting. If you work with, on, or around walk-ins, then you should print off these tips and read them every time you go into your freezer. Not only will it help save lives, but it will also protect your company from costly lawsuits related to accidents that occur within walk-ins.
- Always have at least two escape routes prepared before entering a walk-in
- Tell someone outside of your location what items are being removed
- Make sure someone else inside knows who is removing items
- Receive verbal confirmation from another person before reentering
- Use caution when opening heavy doors
- Always bring an extra set of clothes
- Learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Teach everyone about risks associated with low temperatures
- Understand risks associated with refrigeration
- Be familiar with proper use of emergency equipment
- Do not wear loose clothing
Common Causes of Walking into Walk-In Cooler Hazards
Cold air sinks to floor level in a walk-in cooler or freezer, so employees’ feet may be exposed to potentially unsafe temperatures even when their bodies are secured by personal protective equipment (PPE). The following hazards occur frequently:
- Ice buildup on floors can cause slip and fall accidents. Make sure employees’ boots have good traction to prevent falls.
- An unstable door can cause injury from falls or back strain from pushing or pulling. If your door automatically opens outward, add an outside handle so it can be opened safely.
- Conduct regular inspections of doors to ensure that they operate smoothly and open easily.
- Employees who must exit through a walk-in cooler or freezer should carry flashlights for better visibility if power is lost during an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Safety Measures While Entering a Walk-in Freezer?
The simple answer is to never enter a walk-in freezer without first letting someone know where you are. If you’re expecting to find food or other items inside, you should still contact someone who knows your location before entering.
How Long are you Allowed to Work in a Freezer?
Working in a freezer or refrigerator can be very dangerous. An employee should take a break when the body under protective clothing like gloves, jacket, and hat begin to feel numb. Ideally, this should be in less than an hour.
How should a walk-in cooler be organized to be safe?
If your cooler is unorganized, it’s more likely that employees will not be able to find what they need quickly. By keeping your walk-in cooler organized, you’ll help ensure that employees can quickly locate what they need to get their job done. Your employees should know where each type of meat is stored, whether dairy products are on shelves above or below other items, and more.
Can you get locked in a walk-in freezer?
Yes, you can get locked in a walk-in freezer. One of the primary culprits in a walk-in freezer is ice buildup around the door frame. However, Panic bars and other forms of escape routes can be installed. Additionally, freezers can have an ax fitted on interior walls in emergencies.
Bottom Line
Some employers don’t take proper precautions when assigning tasks to employees working in walk-in coolers or freezers. When a worker is assigned to a task that they aren’t comfortable with, it could lead to mistakes and a higher risk of injuries. Not only do workers need to be trained on their specific jobs, but they should also be aware of any potential hazards that could occur during their workday. The good news is, with just a few precautions and considerations, you can keep everyone safe and healthy.
Get in Touch with us!
The Elite Refrigeration Services team is proud to provide high-quality services for commercial restaurants and food preparation facilities in Yonker, NY, including walk-in cooler repairs or maintenance. We have decades of experience providing comprehensive service that will get your equipment into the best shape possible. Give us a call today to learn more about our services.
We have a team of qualified professionals ready and waiting for your call. Whether you need a walk-in cooler repair, are interested in new installation, want information on maintaining an existing unit, or anything else! Our technicians will be happy to provide the information you need or answer any questions that may arise during this process. Give us a call at 1-914-222-9173