Walk In Freezer Safety: The Health And Safety Rules

Black puddings are not a safety device! This month a butcher was left trapped in a walk in freezer after the door blew shut behind him. Chris McCabe was trapped in -20c temperatures with the door-release button frozen shut, he used the 1.5kg black pudding as a battering ram on the release mechanism.

Mr McCabe said: “No-one could hear me banging. Black pudding saved my life.”

He added: “I had rushed in. I was in a hurry as usual and I heard the door shut behind me. I thought that was OK, because I could kick the safety button from inside the room.

“I’ve been shut in before and I used the button to get out then, but this time it was frozen solid. I removed all the metal racking around it and I looked around for something to hit it with and I came on the idea of using a black pudding stick.”

Luckily the outcome of this incident is a light-hearted tale of meat-based escape however, the outcome could have been very different.

Walk in freezer safety can, if not properly assessed and managed, lead to serious life-threatening incidents.

It is crucial to have clear emergency procedures in place to prevent such incidents.

Employers must ensure they have suitable and sufficient risk assessments in place to ensure that employers can safely enter and leave the food storage area or freezer. In this case the emergency button had frozen shut, however the provision of strip heaters could have prevented this.

Employers using a commercial walk in freezer should consider walk in freezer safety measures, such as:

Keeping access to the store restricted to authorised, trained persons only.
‘No entry’ signs clearly posted.
Emergency exit provided, door fitted with strip heaters.
Emergency lighting provided (mains powered, battery back-up).
Daily check on emergency exit door to ensure it is not frozen shut.
Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent ice build up, which can cause the walk in freezer door to become stuck and create slippery conditions.
Regular temperature monitoring is essential to ensure the walk in freezer is operating within safe limits.
Emergency exit door instructions posted on illuminated board by exit.
A proper ventilation system is necessary to ensure air quality and prevent the buildup of harmful gases.
Employees should be trained on the dangers of being trapped inside and the protocols to follow in such situations.
Two trapped worker alarms (battery operated, mains back-up) next to both exits.
Supervisor ensures thorough check of building before it is locked.
Alarms and emergency lighting regularly tested/maintained by competent person.
Wearing appropriate clothing is essential to protect against cold stress and frostbite in freezer conditions.

Becoming trapped inside is not the only hazard associated with walk in freezers, employers must also consider the other risks associated with working in a cold room temperature environment.

In 2013, a major supermarket was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £33,000 in costs after an employee slipped on the ice-covered floor and suffered knee injuries. The court heard that employees were left to chip ice off the floor themselves and sweep it away, that necessary precautions were not followed and that risk assessments for work in freezers and shelves had not been reviewed since 2003.

Employees must be fully vetted in walk in freezer safety measures and must consider issues such as employee safety:

Personal protective equipment – will it ensure employees are protected from the cold and able to perform their duties whilst wearing it?
Training – employees need to know the correct working procedure and safety/emergency protocols.
Safety audits – conducting regular safety audits is crucial to identify and address potential hazards.
Accidental release of Group 2 refrigerant (ammonia) – employees and others may suffer fatal respiratory irritation following exposure to ammonia. Exposure to even low concentrations can cause severe eye and throat irritation.
Slips, trips and falls – a wet / icy floor isn’t the only concern, consider other possible trip hazards.
Storage and layout – consider both the manual handling associated with the storage, any possible working at height for high stored items and the potential for the collapse or falling of goods.
Fire – your fire risk assessment should consider any sources of ignition and fuel in that cold storage area, as well as emergency evacuation procedures for those working in there should a fire start elsewhere.
Welfare – ensure employees get appropriate rest breaks in a warm area.

These are just some of the considerations for protecting your cold storage area, by completing a through risk assessment you can establish all the potential hazards in your workplace.

Don’t get left out in the cold, if your risk assessment isn’t up to date – review it now!

Andy Barton

Chartered member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and a member of the Occupational Safety & Health Consultant’s Register. Achieved the NEBOSH Diploma Part 2 and Specialist Diploma in Environmental Management, both with distinction.

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Disclaimer

Walk In Freezer Safety FAQs

What are the safety features of a walk-in freezer?

The Walk In Refrigerated Room features internal safety mechanisms & security features. Internal safety latches: Internal safety release latches allow the opening of the window from inside.

How long is it safe to be in a walk in freezer?

It is fortunate that many large freezer walk-ins can hold a lot of air. As much as I love being warm, calm and relaxed, I know someday someone will rescue me.

What are the safety guidelines for freezers?

Use a Freestanding freezer at the temperature 0 degrees minus for long-term freezer storage if desired. Store the device thermostat on the shelf or freezer to test temperature. It’s very important in the event of power outages or mechanical issues.

What are the guidelines for freezers in the UK?

Make sure your freezer or fridge has the appropriate temperature. Refrigerators and chiller equipment must be set to eight° or less per legal requirements. A freezer must be -18 °C.