Our average body temperature, measured at the normal level, is reported at 98.6° Fahrenheit (or 37°C). But, a working place like the freezer warehouse can be as cold as 32° Fahrenheit (or 0°C) and below.
Such a temperature level is set to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microbes. But it is obvious that our bodies cannot tolerate the hazardous conditions without proper protection.
So, what to wear when working in a freezer warehouse? Many items are required, but generally, we should be equipped with heavy clothing, insulated shoes and gloves, and thermal headgear.
Table of Contents
What to Wear in a Refrigerated Warehouse
1. Put on heavy clothing
To ensure good protection from the cold without compromising on movement freedom due to bulkiness, we can wear jackets with high insulating power.
Furthermore, it is recommended to use water-proof cold warehouse clothing made of materials such as polyester and fleece. Since we are likely to use tools or hot packs to work, choosing heavy clothing with multiple pockets is a great idea.
Besides jackets, warm overalls, pants and thermal underwear can help maintain body temperature for working in a cold warehouse.
2. Use insulated work shoes/boots and socks
Exposure to extreme cold can result in severe joint pain in the long term due to the contraction of feet tissues. Therefore, it is critical to keep feet warm in freezer warehouses, especially if we carry heavy weights and walk around a lot.
It is important to have a pair of insulated waterproof work boots as our refrigerated wear. Long shoes with warm linings, insulated insoles, and slip-resistant outsoles are recommended in these settings.
Make sure to wear durable yet comfortable boots with good memory foam to ensure your feets are not hurt from heavy duties.
Besides, insulated freezer socks should add to the warmth and comfort when we wear rugged work boots or shoes.
3. Put on thermal gloves
Other than keeping our body and feet warm, our hands should also be shielded from the freezing cold of the worksite. Wearing a pair of thermal gloves will surely keep hands warm while working in a freezer for hours on end.
There are numerous quality options for thermal gloves that protect our hands from temperatures as low as -30° Fahrenheit (-1.111°C). As long as we pick a piece made of insulated materials such cotton and PU leather, we should be assured of its heat retention.
Furthermore, it is important that our grip is not affected by the gloves. Therefore, premium palm patterns with a slip-resistant feature will be appreciated. Also, many workers can benefit from warm gloves with a breathable and moisture-wicking lining.
4. Wear extra accessories
Accessories like headgear, masks, or glasses can also help keep warm in a cold warehouse, as long as we pick the right products for use.
We can either wear a warm knit cap with a cloth mask or put on an insulated full-face hood to avoid inhaling the icy air. It is rather easy to pick a fleece or wool hat and hood that offer good comfort even inside the freezer warehouse.
Goggles are necessary for many tasks, and they can also keep our eyes from hurting from the cold temperature.
Besides freezer protective clothing, we also have hand warmers among the accessories that keep us warm. We can activate a piece and keep it in our gloves, preferably with one thin layer of liner that keeps the warmer from touching our skin.
These small yet powerful pieces can protect our hands from the severe side effects of prolonged exposure to the cold.
What Are the Cold Room Safety Requirements
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, there are no working in a freezer laws to regulate minimum temperatures. But that does not mean employers are not responsible for providing a safe environment and proper training and equipment for workers.
There must be safeguards, which includes a temperature display, especially for large-scale freezer warehouses.
Furthermore, employers must maintain a suitable temperature range for workers to handle tasks without the risk of cold-related health issues and severe conditions.
What Can I Do to Avoid Common Cold Room Illnesses
First and foremost, you must wear sufficient protective clothing that blocks the cold from hurting your body. Prolonged exposure can result in frostbite, frostnip, hypothermia, chilblains, and immersion injury. All these conditions will worsen when we ignore necessary precautions.
You should also warm up before work and take warm-up breaks when necessary. You can jump around to raise the body temperature and eat hot snacks or drinks during breaks.
Keeping a healthy and balanced diet is also among the advisable things to keep cold-related symptoms at bay. We should avoid dehydration and say no to drinks with caffeine. Also, make sure to maintain a diet with carbs, protein, sugars, and natural fats.
Conclusion
When typing the question “what to wear when working in a freezer warehouse?” on Reddit, you can also get a lot of good advice on suitable attire. Reddit users can also offer recommendations of good products to purchase to protect us in such hazardous workplaces. That’s what the availability of information on social media offers us.
Hopefully, you also get valuable tips and advice from our post. In fact, we hope that you can immediately pick the suitable clothing products that keep you warm and comfortable as soon as possible.
Stay safe!
This is Edward Manning, the editor in chief of Construction Informer. Quite a bit of my time is spent researching the market and interviewing experts in the field so that I can give you reliable information.