working in a chill

[tam1982]

Hi all, I work for a supermarket chain in the warehouse, currently in the ambient area which is fine, but they want me to move into the chill area which is between 1-3 degrees. I'm a bit worried about circulation problems this might cause me, or am I being paranoid? Anyone able to help?

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Tam. I used to spend 3 days a week in the North Sea. I also worked in a Blast freezer were to change a light bulb you had to go in with steps, take cover off, go out, come back in & fit lamp, put cover back on. Because you would FREEZE to the steps if you tried to do it in 1 go Good luck with job 🙂

 

[tam1982]

Hey Hobie, thanks for the reply. I'm just wary of any long term effects it will have, I will be there for 8hrs a day. I think to much

 

[Abi]

I think that potential for hypos would pose more of a problem- keeping warm requires energy
Are you able to keep hypo remedies and snacks on your person and eat if needed?. Also would your meter work in a cold environment ?
Are you generally supported at work if you need a small adaptation such as being excused for a minute to check blood glucose
I would be very wary of using diabetes to get out of certain duties as it could backfire e.g. in the event of opportunity for a promotion, more favourable position being deemed unfit to do the job. Also colleagues may then form very set ideas about what people with diabetes may or may not do and start to pass judgement on what you eat and generally how you spend your life
Good luck- hope you get problem sorted

 

[Copepod]

Surely you'll be supplied with warm clothing, gloves, boots etc? The only time I've worked in a cold indoor environment [freezer at an Antarctic research unit], all staff had to wear fur lined hooded suits and boots. You won't be in the chiller for 8 hours a day, as you'll have meal and toliet breaks.

Just keep sweets in an easily accessible pocket. If you take your test meter into chiller, then keep it in a pocket close to your body to keep it warm. I find that a breast pocket is ideal for this purpose when I'm working outdoors in cold weather on races, for example, which can mean being outdoors for several hours through the night in Lakes District / Peak District / Howgills in January.

 

[KookyCat]

Hiya
Do you have circulation issues already? I only ask because if not then those temperatures shouldn't be low enough to cause any damage as far as I remember from my training many years ago. The body will only sacrifice extremities if it believes it can't heat the entire body adequately, and as a life preserving function concentrates blood flow around the major organs. That's usually at sub zero temperatures for a prolonged period of time. If there is any risk at all then the company you work for should do a safety assessment which takes into account any medical conditions, so if you had angina the cold air might exacerbate your condition for example, although how proactive they are in that will depend on how organised they are 🙄

I'd give it a go and carefully monitor blood sugar, and any worries about anything I'd ask my DSN what she thought. If you do have circulation issues already I'd be inclined to ask medical advice because that might be another story entirely. I'd also take every item of warm clothing I was given because since the Diabetes diagnosis I seem to be much more sensitive to cold temperatures despite having excellent circulation. Good luck 🙂

 

[banjo]

I am a gardener and work outside 5 days a week from 7.30 till about 4.30 over winter. For me the answer is lots of layers.I wear thermals - socks leggings and top - then another thin pair of socks then some thick ones lol. Another pasir of trousers and on top -tshirt jumper 2 fleeces and a coat -liner gloves and gloves coat and hat.
If u are moving about wearing that lot u dont get cold lol. I only get cold when i have to do standing jobs ie pruning and ladder work.
Not certain how practical it is for u to wear that lot lol - But layers are the answer - many thin layers better than 2 thick ones- if you are too hot u can soon get rid of one.

 

[DeusXM]

While I think Copepod clearly wins the title of 'coldest work environment' (Antarctica, amazing!) I used to work 12-hour shifts in a yogurt and chilled foods packing plant without any problems. I don't think this will cause circulation issues - you'll need to wrap up warm, obviously.

What this all really comes down to though is, how's your control? If your control is good, then there is no reason why any environmental conditions should endanger your long-term health more than anyone else. Simply having a busted pancreas doesn't mean anything; it's how well you offset what's wrong with it that makes the difference.

 

[Copepod]

HQ of Antarctic unit is in Cambridge, not Antarctica. Although have visited a BAS base on South Georgia and spent one December camping in tents or an abandoned building also in South Georgia.

 

[megga]

I have recently been moved back indoors at work (9 hour shifts outside sitting outside a cab in a small tent, no movement, or toilets) but I do have other health problems. if your moving about you will be fine, the only issue is getting enough blood for a test, and make sure you monitor is somewhere warmer, as most have to have a temperature above 4 to work.

 

[banjo]

Absolutely megga. When i was 1st diagnosed before christmas i was doing a blood check mid morning to see how i spiked after breakfast - and getting a blood sample was an issue for me.