Imagine a work environment where every breath you take can freeze in time as you carefully organize and store materials and goods, from frozen produce to lab research samples.
This is the reality of working in a freezer, where daily temperatures are guaranteed to be below freezing.
Our guide discusses some of the pros and cons of working in a freezer for cold storage workers in the food production, manufacturing, and research industries.
This guide below is for career seekers considering working under frosty conditions.
Keep reading to learn about the benefits of working in a freezer, followed by some of its downsides.
Later, we’ll answer the question, “Should you work in a freezer?” for people considering taking on freezer work as a career.
Table of Contents
Who Typically Works in a Freezer?
- Cold Storage Workers
- Fishery Workers
- Food Production Workers
- Grocery Store Stockers
- Pharmaceutical Technicians
- Research Scientists
Pros of Working in a Freezer
Pro #1. – Job Security
Working in a freezer is one of the professions that offers relatively stable employment opportunities for people with cold storage skills.
Sub-zero storage specialists working in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries are valued key employees whose job stability remains steady as long as food, beverage, and laboratory products need to be stored and organized in temperature-controlled environments.
Pro #2. – Competitive Wages
Food warehouse workers and icebox attendants often earn competitive wages as a bonus to complement their boosted job security.
Salary reports from reputable data providers show that America’s freezer workers make an average annual salary of around $40,000.00 per year.
The combination of years of experience and competitive employee benefits packages that can include compensation for individual and family health care, 401K matching, and other employee benefits can add to the earnings potential for cold storage workers.
Pro #3. – Independent Work
Professional freezer technicians working in cold storage have minimal customer interaction, which often serves as a welcome reprieve from the demands of customer-facing roles.
Freezer techs who prefer working in solitary environments can thrive when stocking food storage and pharmaceutical products in freezers, which involves minimal engagement as they carry out their daily job duties and responsibilities according to their own needs and preferences.
Pro #4. – Quiet Work Environment
One of the benefits of working in a cold storage capacity is the uniquely quiet work environment.
The absence of loud noises, machines, and office chatter typical of working in corporate and manufacturing industries is virtually non-existent for freezer workers who experience a reduction in noise pollution and stress when working in quiet, frosty environments.
Working in a virtually soundless climate can lead to a greater sense of concentration and focus when carrying out freezer work tasks, which can include accurately labeling products, correctly organizing inventory, and following strict freezer safety protocols.
Pro #5. – Physical Activity
Cold storage workers like food warehouse workers, food production workers, grocery store stock clerks, and pharmaceutical technicians can benefit from the physical activity associated with working in a freezer.
Engaging in the physical activities required to place, store, and move cold storage products allows the body to generate heat, which can naturally help combat the icy environment.
Regular movement and exercise have been proven to be beneficial for most people, and the same is true for freezer-based employees.
The physical demands of working in a freezer can lead workers to increased physical activity levels, improved strength, and better flexibility.
Pro #6. – Specialized Skills Development
Working in a freezer provides the opportunity for specialized skill development as employees adjust to the fast-paced and intricate nature of the cold storage industry.
Freezer workers continually expand their skill sets and learn new techniques as they stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in cold storage technology that can place them ahead in their industry.
The addition of specialized skills in their resume can open the door for exciting career advancement opportunities and greater job satisfaction as freezer professionals take pride in their enhanced skills and ever-evolving role within the cold storage industry.
Pro #7. – Advancement Opportunities
People who enter the freezer profession with the intention of making it a lifetime career have a wealth of options in the areas of skills advancement, self-improvement, and professional growth.
Completing daily tasks and meeting career milestones allows for career progression where freezer workers can achieve higher levels of success in the industry.
Task-oriented freezer professionals who set their sights high can find themselves in well-paying leadership positions, earning higher-paying salaries and garnering professional recognition for their unique skill set.
Cons of Working in a Freezer
Con #1. – Cold Stress
Cold stress is a physiological condition that causes the body to release heat faster than it can produce it.
Some people who work in freezers and frigid outdoor temperatures feel the effects of cold stress as a drop or reduction in core body temperature, numbness or pain in the extremities, and a decrease in agility and mobility.
Prolonged work in frigid temperatures can lead to foggy thinking, mental fatigue, and weakened immune system function.
People who experience the negative effects of cold stress can also seem depressed, anxious, and irritable.
Con #2. – Limited Mobility
Limited mobility in frozen environments can be one of the hallmarks of working in a freezer that lasts well beyond an eight or twelve-hour shift.
Stiffness and numbness in the fingers and extremities can lead to the inability to properly handle tools and operate machinery needed to carry out daily work tasks and increase the likelihood of accidents for workers with limited movement who can barely move their fingers or toes.
Freezer workers should take special care to ensure they are wearing the proper safety gear to avoid directly exposing themselves to icy temps that can decrease mobility.
Con #3. – Health Risks
Increased health risks of working in freezers and cold storage environments can show up in the form of creeping physical discomfort in the body, decreased productivity as the body loses dexterity in frigid temperatures, negative mental health impacts, and the heightened risk of accidents when the above factors collide.
Employees and employers must implement and follow strict safety protocols to mitigate the risks of working in freezers.
Proper protocols can include wearing adequate protective clothing like thermal underwear, gloves, hats, and well-fitting boots to protect freezer workers from the potentially damaging effects of working in cold storage.
Con #4. – Monotonous Work
Working in a freezer can lead to days upon days of repetitive and monotonous work, which can lead to a sense of boredom, social isolation, and decreased motivation for employees.
A lack of challenges and variety in their everyday work can lead freezer workers to become uninterested in their jobs and affect the overall morale of teams.
Limited interaction with coworkers, which can be seen as a plus by many, can also show up as a downside for bored freezer workers seeking stimulating social interaction on the job.
The combination of monotonous work with boredom and isolation can lead to mental health challenges for some employees who work in freezers.
Con #5. – Potential for Accidents
Cold storage workers have a higher propensity for work-related accidents and risk of cold-related health issues.
Working on the cold and slippery floors and surfaces typically found in freezers can lead to an increased risk of accidental slips, trips, and falls on the job.
Freezer workers must take extra care to avoid common cold storage accidents that can cause sprains, fractures, and breaks that result in pain, disability, extended time off, and employees filing workers’ compensation claims to recoup lost wages due to injuries.
While some introverts and people who prefer to work alone can thrive in solitary freezer working environments, the absence of regular contact and daily office banter sessions with coworkers may lead others to social burnout when monotonous daily tasks collide with the reality of limited and almost non-existent social interaction.
The decrease in social interaction can be detrimental for some freezer workers, who can experience decreased morale, increased stress, and an increased potential for burnout when working solo freezer jobs.
Con #7. Impact on Mental Health
People who work in freezers should take special care of their mental health, as icy work environments can affect happiness and satisfaction levels.
Working in an isolated environment like a freezer can lead to a host of noticeable and negative mental health impacts, including increased anxiety, stress, loneliness, and low self-esteem.
Freezer workers should remember to prioritize their mental health by taking advantage of mental health support resources.
14 Pros and Cons of Working in a Freezer – Summary Table
| Pros of Working in a Freezer | Cons of Working in a Freezer |
|---|---|
| Job Security | Cold Stress |
| Competitive Wages | Limited Mobility |
| Independent Work | Health Risks |
| Quiet Work Environment | Monotonous Work |
| Physical Activity | Potential for Accidents |
| Specialized Skills Development | Reduced Social Interaction |
| Advancement Opportunities | Impact on Mental Health |
Should You Work in a Freezer?
Working in a freezer requires a unique set of skills and a commitment to professional safety.
If you’re thinking about starting a freezer job, consider the pros and cons of deciding if cold storage is the right career move for you.
The upsides of working in a freezer include competitive wages, job stability, and the opportunity to acquire specialized skills.
Downsides can consist of cold stress, monotonous work, and the potential for social isolation.
