Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

• Check cold storage areas periodically and at closing time to make sure no one is trapped inside.

• Wear warm clothing when entering or spending time in a cold-storage area.

• Wear personal protective equipment for unpacking and sorting meat and other food products in freezers (such as hats, gloves, and rubber-soled non-slip shoes).

• Keep floors free from slip hazards like spills or clutter, use non- slip matting for potentially slippery surfaces.

Follow OSHA Standards including:

• Provide a panic bar or other means of exit on the inside of walk-in freezers to prevent trapping workers inside. Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes Standard [1910.37].

  • Provide a means of egress for all walk-in storage areas (especially refrigerators or freezers).

• Assess tasks to identify potential worksite hazards and provide and ensure employee use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Personal Protective Equipment Standard [1910.132].

• Keep places of employment clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition. Walking/Working Surfaces Standard [1910.22(a)(1)].

  • Keep floors clean and dry [1910.22(a)(2)].

• Follow child labor laws that do not permit workers younger than 16 to perform freezer or meat cooler work.

  For more information, see Delivery - Heat and Cold Exposure.

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

• Seek medical help for cold- and heat-related stresses.

  • Lower the employee's body temperature in heat-related conditions and raise the employee's body temperature in cold-related conditions to prevent the progression of symptoms.

• Schedule deliveries during appropriate times of the day (for example, at cooler times during hot summer-like weather).

• Perform work during either the cooler or warmer times of the day.

• Use the "buddy" system (work in pairs).

• Drink plenty of cool water in warm, hot weather.

• Drink warm beverages in cold weather.

• Wear appropriate clothing (hat and light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing in warm, hot weather OR warm, layered clothing in cold weather, including hat and gloves). In cold weather, pay special attention to protecting feet, hands, face, and head. Up to 40 percent of body heat can be lost when the head is exposed.

• Apply sunscreen on sunny days.

• Take frequent, short breaks indoors to cool off or warm up.

• Avoid exhaustion or overworking, because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.

• Educate employees to recognize and seek medical help for workers that have symptoms of cold-and-heat related stresses.

  For more information on heat hazards, see Cooking - Heat Hazards

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

• Be aware of outside conditions if unloading outside; wear sun protection if sunny, and coats, gloves, boots if wet or cold.

• Wear appropriate non-slip footwear.

• Keep walking surfaces free of ice and snow.

• Carry items only at a height over which you can safely see.

• Use no-skid waxes and surfaces coated with grit to create non-slip surfaces in slippery areas.

• Eliminate cluttered or obstructed hallways or walkways.

• Do not block hallways with delivery items.

• Use proper lifting techniques.

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

Follow OSHA Standards including:

• The Walking/Working Surfaces Standard [1910.22(a)(1)]: Keep all places of employment clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.
  • Keep floors clean and dry [1910.22(a)(2)].

  • Keep aisles and passageways clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard [1910.22(a)].

• Keep exits free from obstruction. Access to exits must remain clear of obstructions at all times [1910.37(a)(3)].

Follow the child labor laws that do not permit workers

• Younger than 16 to load or unload goods on or off trucks, railcars, or conveyors.

• Under age 18 to operate hazardous equipment such as forklifts.

  • Under age 18 to operate paper balers or box compactors. Minors 16 years old and older are allowed to load but not operate or unload certain scrap paper balers and box compactors.

Consider implementing recommended safe work practices, including:

• Provide floor plugs or ceiling plugs for equipment so power cords need not run across pathways.

• Re-lay or stretch carpets that bulge or have become bunched to prevent tripping hazards.

• Provide adequate lighting.

  For more information, see General Hazards - Slips/Trips/Falls.

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

• Stack heavier items on lower shelves.

• Store lighter goods on the top shelves.

• Stack items used most frequently at a convenient waist level.

• Get help lifting heavy items.

• 

  Use a stool or ladder to access items on shelves. Do not stand on chairs or boxes that might tip over.

• Lighten the load to be lifted by encouraging employer to purchase smaller and therefore lighter cartons of stock.
  • 

    Use proper lifting techniques when performing manual lifts to minimize the risk to the back. However, a heavy load (35 pounds or more for young workers) can cause injury even with perfect technique. Do not manually lift heavy loads alone; get help.

• Use handrails if traveling on stairs, avoid undue speed, and carry only items that you can safely see over.

  • Limit lifting by hand. Use hand carts when moving products. Have employees 18 or older use any available mechanical equipment such as lift assist devices, forklifts, and pallet jacks to help with lifting and transporting products.

Use proper lifting techniques. Learn to lift properly and stay fit to help reduce the risk of injury from lifting.

• Before lifting, size up the load:
  • Wear gloves to prevent exposure to nails and slivers.
  • Use a hand cart if possible.
  • Get help with heavy loads.
  • See that the load is balanced and stable.
  • Do not lift a load that is too heavy, slippery, hot, or unevenly balanced.

  • Make sure you have a clear traveling path.

• 

  
  Lifting:
  • Bring the load as close to you as possible before lifting. Avoid reaching across something to lift a load. This moves the load away from the body and increases your chance of injury.
  • Lift with your legs, not your back.
  • Keep your head up, your back straight, and bend at your hips.
  • Shift your feet to turn; don't twist your body.
  • Keep the load directly in front of your body. Avoid reaching to the side and lifting while twisting.
  • Perform lifts at waist height, with the elbows in close to the body.

  • Avoid awkward postures while lifting such as reaching and twisting, or lateral or side bending.

• 
  Lowering:
  • Remember that body position when setting the load down is just as important as when picking the load up. Use your leg muscles to comfortably lower the load by bending your knees.

  • Make certain that your fingers and toes are clear before setting the load down.

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

Follow the child labor laws that do not permit workers:

• Younger than 16 to load or unload goods on or off trucks, railcars, or conveyors;

• Under age 18 to operate hazardous equipment such as forklifts.

  • Under age 18 to operate paper balers or box compactors. Minors 16 years old and older are allowed to load but not operate or unload certain scrap paper balers and box compactors.

  For more information, see Resources - Child Labor Laws.