Golden Chicken Pte Ltd is a poultry company that supplies fresh and frozen chicken. Currently, their cold chain logistics is old and outdated. They are considering to upgrade their cold chain logistics. However, the expansion plan will happen 3 years later.

(A) Identify FOUR types of transportation risks or challenges that Gold Chicken Pte Ltd may face. [4 marks]

(B) Recommend ways to mitigate the above mentioned risks or challenges. [4 marks]

(C) Identify any TWO other possible failures of cold chain for Golden Chicken Pte Ltd. [2 marks]

(D) Recommend ways to mitigate the failures from question 21(C). [6 marks]

​Question

Answers

Answers can be found on 3.1.2 of textbook.

RTY Pharmaceutical Cold Chain LLP runs a temperature-controlled warehouse, storing medical products requiring to be stored between 15 – 25^oC. They recently had just completed their renovation to cater for a new kitting production line for a new customer. To cater for this production line, they had re-configure the layout to move some of their racking and installed some higher-powered lightings.

Question

Two weeks after going live with the new layout, they found there were incidents of temperature excursion (higher than 25o C) from the readings of the temperature loggers. Investigation reveals the location in the highlighted areas and some locations at the top of the racking are affected.

​(A) Describe 2 possible causes for the temperature excursion.

(B) Recommend 2 ways that can possibly resolve the problem.

(C) RTY Pharmaceutical Cold Chain LLP started a frozen division to store frozen (-20oC) items/products as a part of the contract. They are required to build a new walk-in cold room that can hold 250 pallets of medical products. Due to the sensitive nature of the products, packing can only be carried out within the cold room.

(D) Describe 4 ways to limit the operator’s exposure to the cold environment when there is an increase in pick and pack processes.

Answers

(A)

- Goods stored close to the loading dock may be affected by drafts

- Lights can be a source of heat. Goods placed on high racking in close proximity to a light may be at risk

- Goods movement and other activity in the more trafficable areas of the warehouse is likely to cause drafts.

(B)

- Conduct temperature mapping to identify hot and cold spots.

- Close dock doors when not in use.

- Reroute movement in production line. / Move production line away from row G

- Place goods away from the lighting fixture.

- Lower the temperature setting of the air-conditioning.

​(C)

Proper attire:

In any high-risk workplace, including cold storage, appropriate gear is essential. Ensure that your staff members are outfitted with appropriate insulated and slip-proof footwear, layered clothes, cold-weather gloves, and jackets.

Cleaning and maintenance:

Maintain dry flooring and routinely inspect your facilities for ice buildup in exposed areas. Make sure all work areas are accessible, dry, and free of clutter.

• Spilled liquids can be a hazard as it have a chance of freezing and posing a slipping hazard.

Proper training:

All employees should be trained on key safety aspects of cold-storage warehouse operation. The training should include:

• How to spot condensation and ice build-up

• Cleaning and maintenance of key areas like battery and refrigerant stations

• Functions of the machinery operated.

• Identification of early signs of hypothermia, e.g. extreme drowsiness, loss of balance, excessive shivering or slower-than-normal breathing.

​(D)

Implement Advanced Picking Methods:

Batch Picking: Pick multiple orders at the same time to reduce the number of trips to and from the cold storage areas.

Zone Picking: Assign workers to specific zones to limit the time they spend moving around the warehouse.

Use of Automation:

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): These systems can automate the picking process, reducing human exposure to cold temperatures.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): AGVs can move items between zones, limiting the amount of time workers have to spend in cold areas.

Optimize Warehouse Layout:

FIFO Racks: Use First-In-First-Out (FIFO) racks to streamline the picking process.

Close Proximity of High-Moving Items: Keep high-turnover items closer to the exit/entry of the cold storage area to minimize time spent inside.

Time Management:

Staggered Picking: Stagger picking schedules so that workers spend limited consecutive time in cold areas.

Timed Breaks: Implement timed breaks for staff to warm up and recover from exposure to cold temperatures.

Pre-Picking Strategies:

Staging Areas: Use temperature-controlled staging areas where items can be pre-picked and staged for order assembly.

Pull-Down Loads: Employ the concept of pull-down loads, where a larger batch of product is brought to a temperate staging area for more comfortable, individual picking.