Footwear guidance for frozen food industry released in UK

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) has developed guidance on how to test the suitability of footwear used in the frozen food industry in order to help cold-chain workers avoid injuries such as frostbite.

Until recently, there has been no official guidance on testing cold insulative (C.I.) footwear below -17°C. Now, the BFFF recommendations have been assured by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, meaning they have legal standing and a listing on the primary authority register.

BFFF’s new methodology will allow industry to test C.I. footwear and insulated sock combinations to ensure they are suitable for cold-store environments. In addition, the guidance provides considerations for completing or reviewing cold-store risk assessments.

Research began in 2019, after the BFFF was approached to investigate whether C.I. footwear was fit for purpose. In the frozen food industry, cold store temperatures can be as low as -25 to -40°C.

In the past, a lack of research has left employees exposed to very low temperatures without the correct assessed footwear, which has resulted in cases of potentially serious injuries, such as frostbite.

Simon Brentnall, Head of Health & Safety at The British Frozen Food Federation, said the Federation is pleased the four-year project had come to fruition.

“Ensuring the safety of workers in the frozen food industry is paramount, and our research into the suitability of cold insulative footwear has resulted in critical new guidance which will ensure the protection of employees working in cold stores below -17°C. It’s a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of industry workers and preventing future injuries,” Brentnall said.

The request for BFF’s involvement followed a successful civil claim case in which an individual working in a frozen cold store suffered serious frostbite. The legal team for the defending party advised that the current C.I. footwear testing method under the EN ISO 20345 standard only tests at -17°C, not reflecting the industry’s extreme cold temperatures.

BFFF has been working with many of its members to produce a realistic testing method that reflects the industry cold store temperatures.

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