Working in a cold store is one of the most demanding and specific forms of employment. It requires from employees high physical endurance, resistance to low temperatures and the ability to work in conditions that are not always comfortable. At the same time, in accordance with the provisions of labor law, employers have a number of obligations related to ensuring occupational health and safety in such conditions.

Working in a cold store exposes employees to a number of hazards, including, for example, occupational diseases or injuries. To minimize the risk associated with such employment, it is worth following a few health and safety rules. First of all, you should take care of the appropriate clothing of employees. In cold stores, protective clothing is recommended, which will provide adequate thermal insulation (thermoactive underwear is also useful) and is adapted to the type of work performed.

Workers should also be provided with adequate hand and foot protection, e.g. in the form of special gloves and thermally insulated boots. The employer should also provide employees with appropriate conditions for rest and heating, as well as access to hot drinks and meals.

The employer’s obligations to ensure health and safety in cold stores are very important and demanding. First of all, the employer must provide appropriate working conditions, cold store equipment, such as ventilation systems and heating. He must also take care of the appropriate organization of work so as to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries. For example, the employer should provide employees with health and safety training and implement appropriate procedures in the event of an accident or occupational disease. The employer must also regularly inspect the technical condition of the equipment and installations in the cold store, as well as take care of their proper maintenance and maintenance. If it does not do so, it is worth opting for individual legal advice to pursue your claims.

Working in harsh environments, such as working in a cold store, can lead to faster exhaustion and an increased risk of accidents. Therefore, it is important that employees in such conditions eat properly and take care of regular consumption of regenerative meals.

Regenerative meals are those that help replenish energy and nutrients that the body loses during work, where there is a low temperature. They should be rich in protein, carbohydrates and fats, and at the same time easily digestible and digested.

When working indoors, and especially in cold stores, it is also important that employees eat hot meals to minimize exposure to cold temperatures. As it is dangerous to eat in refrigerated rooms due to the risk of food contamination, employers should provide employees with special rooms or tables for eating outside the cold store. Special care should be taken about preventive meals.

In cold store work, an important element of occupational health and safety is the right temperature, which should be maintained in refrigeration rooms. Health and safety regulations impose on employers the obligation to ensure that the temperature in cold stores is appropriate for employees employed in the company, so as not to expose them to the risk of occupational diseases and injuries or hypothermia. This is also stated in the regulation of the Council of Ministers.

According to the law, the temperature in cold stores should not be lower than -18 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the regulations also stipulate that in workplaces where the temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius, employees should be provided with appropriate protective clothing, including heat-insulated clothing and gloves, hats and shoes with insulating lining. If you do not have such an outfit, then start by asking the employer.

Work at workplaces requiring cold storage carries a number of threats to the health and life of employees. The most important of them include:

• Occupational diseases – working in cold stores puts workers at risk of developing respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, allergic diseases, asthma and chronic bronchitis. The reason for these diseases is, m.in exposure of workers to harmful chemicals, bacteria and fungi that can thrive in damp and cold conditions.
• Skin damage – working in cold stores exposes workers’ skin to cold weather and moisture, which can lead to skin irritation, redness and cracks.
• Fatigue and exhaustion – when providing services in cold stores, it requires a lot of physical and mental endurance from employees. Exposure to cold temperatures, humidity and noise can lead to faster exhaustion and an increased risk of accidents.
• Accidents at Work – Working in cold stores involves the risk of accidents related to work at heights, handling heavy loads, as well as exposure to harmful chemicals.

Source: https://www.bhp-center.com.pl/praca-w-chlodni-obowiazki-pracodawcy-i-zalecenia-bhp/

Supported by Norway through Norway Grants 2014-2021, in the frame of the Programme “Social Dialogue – Decent Work”.