Refrigerated transport is essential for delivering temperature-sensitive products safely, and refrigerated products no longer include only food. Properly maintaining a refrigeration unit is the key to delivering an undamaged product whether it is perishable food, sensitive electronic equipment or medical supplies.
Carrying refrigerated cargo can be especially dangerous because if the trailer’s temperature gets too high or dips too low, entire loads of product could be ruined, or worse, could make people sick. Bacteria can grow on perishable items if the temperature gets above 7C.
Safety Precautions
Use these tips to make sure your cargo reaches its destination safely and efficiently.
- Use a data logger to track the temperature of the refrigerated trailer and ensure its accuracy during transit.
- Check to make sure air channels in back of the refrigeration unit’s fan are not blocked. If the fan cannot discharge enough air, the load can easily get too warm.
- Do not pack the load too high. Circulation from the air-delivery chute could become blocked, which means air will not be distributed properly towards the rear of the trailer.
- In your pre-trip inspection, check that the vehicle body does not contain any dents, which could mean a break in insulation. Also inspect door seals for leaks.
- Always have a service manual available while on the road. Any trouble with the refrigeration unit could not only be detrimental to the load, but to your safety and the safety of other drivers around you. Consult the manual if you encounter problems with the unit.
Don’t Break the ‘Cold Chain’
Food products need to stay refrigerated from start to finish. When foods are removed from a cold environment and reach a temperature that promotes microbial growth, these bacteria cannot be removed simply by returning the food to its proper temperature.
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