Failure to Maintain Walk-In Freezer in Safe Working Condition
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed significant ice accumulation on the walk-in freezer door, with ice measuring 1 to 3 inches in width and covering various parts of the doorway, preventing the door from latching properly. Dietary staff reported that the issue had persisted for about two months and had worsened in the last month, requiring them to manually de-ice the freezer daily. The inability to latch the freezer door was directly attributed to the ice buildup, and staff confirmed that the door could not be closed fully due to this accumulation. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that the excess ice and inability to latch the door placed food at risk for contamination, freezer burn, and deterioration, and also confirmed there was no log or written schedule to ensure regular de-icing by staff. Maintenance records indicated that while the door handle and seal had been replaced, the problem persisted, and a contractor had not yet completed necessary repairs. The Maintenance Supervisor was unaware that the door was still not latching properly. Review of facility policy showed that while there was a policy for refrigerator maintenance, there was no specific policy for freezer maintenance or storage. The lack of a clear maintenance protocol and failure to ensure the freezer door could latch properly led to ongoing ice accumulation and potential food safety risks.