Would you be surprised to learn that the majority of accidents are avoidable? Especially, accidents that occur in and around freezers and coolers. So, how does one go about ensuring the utmost safety for themselves and their employees?
A1 Commercial Refrigeration Repair NYC
Maintaining Dry Conditions
You don’t need to be a chemist or scientist to know that near-arctic conditions and liquid don’t mix. Such conditions only create slick, icy conditions. Such conditions are the number one cause of problems in and around
coolers and freezers. You’d be amazed at the yearly reported falls. Most freezers are naturally dangerous due to ice and frost build-up, but when you throw in spilled liquids, it only makes the situation all that much worse.
Add to this that spilled inventory could also lead to unwanted smells and harmful bacteria growth, it only makes things ten times worse. Therefore, maintaining a dry cooler or freezer interior becomes essential. Storing a good mop or squeegee outside or in the appliance along with a note to keep an eye out for such potentials is a good preemptive strategy. It’s also a good idea to make rubber-soled shoes a necessity for employees.
Regular Door Checks
Some probably think getting locked inside a
cooler or freezer is a far-fetched scenario, but you’d be surprised. Most modern appliances are even equipped with safety releases for such scenarios. However, it is not uncommon for these devices to fail either. They are machinal, after all. Employees locked inside a
walk-in freezer is a nightmare scenario no business owner wants to experience.
Make it a regular practice to check your inside safety latches. Ensure they are operating properly. It’s an even better practice if you also check seals and gaskets at the same time. Leaky seals or gaskets around the door can create temperature problems as well as icy and frost build-up on floors and walls. Simply put, you’ll do yourself a world of wonders just by making a monthly operational check of your door gaskets and safety devices.
Organized And Clean
No one wants to be exposed to near-arctic conditions any longer than possible. When you find yourself in your cooler or freezer retrieving or storing inventory, you are probably only concerned with getting in, getting what you want, and getting out. This is just natural, as just freezing conditions can be extremely unpleasant, even with the proper safety gear. A clean and thoroughly organized cooler or freezer will better help you and your employees accomplish this very task.
Make it a habit to store specific items in designed areas and keep pathways clear and clean, making necessary inventory more accessible. Storing heavier items on the lowest possible levels and shelves is also a good idea. Some people might have a harder time accessing heavier boxes on high shelves. This is another recipe for disaster and should be avoided.
No Overloading Of Shelves
Overloaded shelves are not only inviting potential accidents and injuries, but it makes your entire operation more ineffective. Not to mention, it could also cause damage. When heavier inventory items are placed on the top shelves, there is not only the potential for sagging and buckling shelves, but it makes storage ineffective.
At least with heavier items on the bottom, you have a more suitable stacking environment. With the heavy inventory items on the lower shelves, you can stack small boxes on them without creating damage.
You’ll have much more storage capacity and be creating a more accessible inventory at the same time. It’s a simple win-win for everyone involved.
Offering The Right Safety Gear
It is one thing if you know you are coming to work in a cooler or freezer. However, it’s an entirely different scenario when employees are unexpectedly asked because of scheduling or attendance problems. What this simply means is some employees might not be equipped or prepared to work in such conditions. It would be impossible to stock and unload inventory in near-arctic conditions without the proper gear.
You’re not only creating an environment that invites accidents and injuries, but you could be asking for a lawsuit. Simply put, it just makes sense to always have the necessary work gear on hand. An employee can easily lose a glove or tear the liner of his jacket. Maintaining the necessary safety gear in a well-organized and stored location outside your coolers and freezers will go a long way to creating a safer and more pleasant working experience.
