In 2018, the global commercial refrigeration market size was estimated at $27,110 million. This is because many businesses, such as supermarkets, retail shops, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic shops, and food processing companies, depend on commercial refrigerators.

If you have a commercial refrigerator, you need to observe appropriate safety measures to protect yourself and your employees. The standard safety guidelines will also protect the integrity of your equipment and save you from costly repairs. Below are six commercial refrigerator safety tips.

1. Keep the Refrigerator Clean

You should always keep your commercial refrigerator clean and tidy. Food spills in your fridge can lead to mold growth and result in health issues, such as respiratory complications. Therefore, you should clean the shelves, handles, interior walls, and exterior parts.

You should also clear all the frost and ice in your freezer during regular cleaning. The ice could take up space or cause items to fall on your leg when you open the freezer compartment.

Use gentle detergents or a mixture of baking soda and hot water to clean the refrigerator. Avoid cleaners with a strong scent since the stored items, especially food, can absorb the smell. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the solution.

2. Wear Protective Clothing

If your business deals with products that require refrigeration, your work environment is usually cold. Hence, you and your employees should always wear protective clothing to prevent cold-related diseases, such as hypothermia, pneumonia, or a common cold. Protective clothing includes gloves, coats, boots, and headgear. 

The protective gear may not be necessary for employees who work in supermarkets and retail shops since a significant part of the store has normal temperatures. 

3. Inspect Your Fridge Regularly

You can prevent most commercial refrigerator issues through early inspection. Therefore, you should inspect your refrigerators regularly. Check for dents on the interior and exterior parts, damaged shelving, clogged coils, frost formation, water supply line defects, door seal damage, and rust.

These problems can lower your refrigerators' performance and lead to stored items spoiling, making them unsafe for consumption. Therefore, hire repair professionals to fix the issues on time. You should also hire specialists for regular inspection.

4. Maintain It at the Right Temperature

You should not operate your refrigerators at the wrong temperature. Your commercial refrigerator and freezer should always operate at the temperatures that the manufacturer recommended. 

Setting temperatures lower will make your stored items freeze, while higher temperatures will lead to spoilage. This can result in health safety issues. For example, if you are in the food industry, serving spoiled food could lead to food poisoning and legal issues. Thus, you should be extra careful about how you store your food products.

Check your temperatures regularly, using a thermometer to spot any difference early enough.

5. Don't Overload Your Refrigerator

Air needs to circulate in your refrigerator to keep items fresh. An overloaded refrigerator may not be able to maintain the desired temperature and could cause food spoilage. Therefore, you should purchase a refrigerator that matches your needs and your business type. If you receive high loads of deliveries, you might need to invest in a big fridge or walk-in cooler.

Other than item spoilage, overloading can also lead to accidents. Items may fall out of the fridge and cause injuries. Ensure you store items on eye-level shelves. Having high shelves can force employees to use ladders to get items, increasing the risks of slips and falls.

6. Install an Alarm System

If you have a walk-in cooler or freezer, ensure you install an alarm system. This way, if someone gets stuck inside, they can switch the alarm on so that you can help them. The alarm should be loud enough to call for help.

All businesses that have refrigerators should observe the right safety guidelines. At A M Refrigeration, we offer quality commercial insulation and refrigeration services. If you need our services, request an appointment today.