When you walk inside your walk-in cooler, there is a risk that you’re going to slip and fall. You never know when something is going to happen. You might experience an accident or it could be your worker. Regardless, the situation is going to be bad for you, the victim, and your business. Therefore, it is vital for your employees to follow safety protocols when entering your walk-in coolers. Be sure to follow the advice below to minimize the risk that you’re going to get hurt.
A1 San Francisco Commercial Refrigeration Repair
It Needs To Be Dry
First, you need to make sure that your walk-in freezer is dry. Over time, there is a risk that you’re going to notice water and condensation in your cooler. If this happens, you must deal with it promptly. The water may freeze. Once this happens, it will become slippery and dangerous. If your workers aren’t careful, they’ll slip on the ice and get hurt. Use a squeegee to clean up the water promptly. After you’ve done that, there will be a smaller risk that someone is going to fall in your
walk-in freezer. You’ll also need to find out what is wrong. Make sure that the water does not return. Don’t forget to ask your workers to wear slip-resistant shoes.
Inspect The Safety Releases
It is common for
walk-in freezers to have hydraulic closers. As a result, the door is going to close when you enter and exit. Although this is beneficial, there is also a risk that problems are going to occur. In some cases, workers will get trapped inside the cooler. You must make sure that the safety releases are working so they can escape. Otherwise, they may get trapped and experience hypothermia. If these individuals are not rescued, they could die. It is wise to check the safety releases at least once or twice a month. If they must be replaced, be sure to talk to a qualified professional.
Clean Regularly
When your worker enters the
walk-in cooler, they should be able to walk around quickly. They need to get in and out promptly. There is a risk that these people are going to trip. If you don’t keep your walk-in unit clean, there could be trip hazards. For instance, your worker may run into a box and fall. Otherwise, they could slip on a spilled drink. Keep the walk-in unit clean to prevent this problem from occurring.
Proper Loads On Shelves
Another thing to remember is that shelves can only support so much work. If you overload the shelves, you’re likely going to get hurt at some point. The shelves will not be able to support the excess weight. Before you know it, the support will begin giving out. As this happens, the shelves and everything will fall. The person under the shelf could get seriously injured. Your business will be held responsible for it. Check the shelf’s maximum weight capacity and never exceed it. Otherwise, you’ll likely get sued after a devastating accident.
Proper Clothing
Finally, you need to make sure that your workers have access to proper protective gear. If they’re wearing shorts and shirts in the cooler, they’re likely going to get cold. They may experience colds or other illnesses. Instead, they should wear cold weather clothing when entering the walk-in cooler. Be sure to store these items close to the cooler so your workers can grab them before going inside. When they’re wearing the right clothes, there will be a smaller risk that they’re going to experience circulations problems. You’ll also have greater peace of mind since you’ll know that your workers are properly equipped for the job.
Don’t neglect your workers because a workplace injury could ruin your business. If someone gets hurt inside your
walk-in cooler, you’re going to face a lawsuit. Depending on the outcome, it could bankrupt your business. Take steps to ensure that your workers are going to be okay so you can keep your business afloat.
