Did You Know That the Refrigeration Industry Uses Windsocks Too?

What is typically seen as airport windsock actually has a wide array of uses across different industries, and the refrigeration industry is no stranger to these essential pieces of safety equipment. Although windsocks are mainly used for measuring both the speed as well as the direction of the wind, they also come in handy for detecting gas leakage, which is instrumental for protecting the health of your employees.

Anhydrous ammonia is a dangerous hazard

Frequently present in the refrigeration industry, anhydrous ammonia is a gas that can be quite dangerous in case there’s a leakage. In such an unfortunate scenario, no time must be lost in getting everyone to safety.

Indicated by the chemical spelling of N3H, anhydrous ammonia functions as a refrigerant and a fertiliser. Cold storage facilities utilize it for keeping the produce at low temperatures. As long as it’s kept away from those who would inhale it, there is no danger of jeopardizing one’s health. But if it ever reaches the lungs, various symptoms can follow as a result:

- Difficulty breathing

- Rapid dehydration

- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat

- Burns

- Blisters

To avoid making things come this far, high pressure storage is necessary. Anyone who has been exposed to it must seek treatment immediately (this involves a high amount of water). In case of prolonged exposure, the outcome may be fatal.

A windsock helps detect the leakage before it’s too late

As we’ve outlined above, coming into contact with this potentially deadly gas is best avoided. Therefore, all refrigeration and cold storage facilities should do what is necessary to prevent this from happening. Not only should they have a clearly-defined evacuation procedure, but also make sure to have one of these windsock flags installed. By doing so, you’ll not only be able to spot the leakage as soon as it occurs, but also trace its origin.

A mere glance at the windsock pole will help the employees tell that something’s amiss and alert their supervisors. Once evacuation is in motion, they will be able to move out of the facility in such a way as to minimize their exposure. After that, the clean-up crew will come moving in. A windsock happens to be a lifesaver for them as well, because they also need to adhere to preventative measures when attempting to remove the chemical leakage and protect their own health and safety.

Windsocks are an imperative component of your emergency response plan

Based on these reasons, your emergency response plan must include windsocks and this holds true for any kind of refrigeration sites. After all, it’s a supervisor’s duty to ensure that everyone’s health and safety is properly tended to. So if a disaster occurs, a windsock will help keep the negative consequences to the bare minimum.

Conclusion

When browsing through the windsocks for sale, make sure to get the right fit for your type of business. If you’re unsure how to proceed, the vendor’s customer support department will gladly answer your questions and point you in the right direction.