Published 15 Aug 2023
What is a Temperature Log?
A temperature log is a documentation of temperatures for temperature-sensitive items and locations, such as food, equipment, data center, and medical storage areas, to ensure that they are maintained within safe temperature ranges. Failure to maintain proper temperature levels can result in legal disputes, fines, penalties and steep losses.
In this article
- What is the Importance of Temperature Log Sheets?
- How are Temperature Logs Measured?
- How are Temperature Logs Used in Different Industries?
- Temperature Monitoring Tool
- Featured Template Log Sheet Templates
What is the Importance of Temperature Log Sheets?
Temperature log sheets are essential quality assurance tools that help provide managers of the cold chain or temperature-controlled facilities precise, historical data they need to to understand how they can improve their temperature management process and ultimately protect the quality of their assets.
Further, well-documented temperature logs can help companies exhibit a high level of control in case of disputes as they serve as discoverable legal evidence in the court of law. The recorded temperature readings, the exact time of recording, the corrective actions – these all can help prove due diligence and show that they took all reasonable precautions to prevent the offence.
How are Temperature Logs Measured?
Temperature logging can be done in two ways: the manual and automated methods.
Manual Temperature Logs
The manual temperature logging system uses printed temperature log sheets, which are used to note and gather readings from a specific location at a scheduled inspection time. An assigned personnel will have to stop what he is doing to ensure accuracy in temperature monitoring. These temperature record sheets are then consolidated and data are manually registered into a central system.
Automated Temperature Logs
Automated temperature logs can involve the combined use of digital checklists and devices that provide real-time temperature readings from various remote locations. This system allows for easy visual documentation, automatic generation of reports, and setting of trigger alarms based on set temperature parameters. Data and auto-generated reports are stored in a centralized cloud-based monitoring system.
How are Temperature Logs Used in Different Industries?
Several industries rely on consistent temperature monitoring to keep the integrity of products or maintain the optimal functionality of equipment and facilities. Whether it is in food processing, medical, or IT, temperature logs provide clear evidence of temperature and time. Without them, Poor temperature monitoring can lead to the following consequences for these industries:
Food
Food that is improperly stored and prepared beyond temperature thresholds is a food safety risk. These conditions can advance pathogen growth and increase the risk of spoilage. The availability of temperature logs helps prevent rejections or recalls, which further helps the company avoid steep losses and potential business closures.
Healthcare
Maintaining proper temperature levels is crucial in medical care. It is also crucial in demonstrating compliance with standards set by the CDC, FDA, HACCP, and State Boards of Pharmacy. Incorrect temperature of medical storage areas containing medications or vaccines can result in drug degradation which weakens or compromises drug effects to users. Pharmaceutical products that are not kept within their safe temperature range during shipment can become life-threatening and will be recalled.
Infection Prevention and Control
Because of COVID-19, recording visitor or staff temperature logs has become vital in commercial establishments and workplaces as it is key to helping create a strong foundation for contact tracing.
Transport and Logistics
Unsold perishable goods will be disposed of if they are not stored at the right storage temperature during transit. Food and pharmaceutical industries rely on temperature-controlled logistics or cold chains to maintain the integrity of their products.
Information Technology
Unmaintained room temperature of server rooms can lead to server crashes, halting business operations. With automated temperature logs, they are able to prevent these as IT facility managers receive automated alerts when thresholds are breached in a data center or server room.
Employee Temperature Log Sheet
New and evolving health risks in the workplace brought about new tools to help maintain the safety of employees. Temperature log sheets help employees keep track of their own body temperature and contribute to maintaining a favorable work environment in the face of evolving health and safety risks.
Temperature Monitoring Tool
Monitoring and maintaining the ideal temperature is crucial for the operation and success of many industries. SafetyCulture, the world’s most powerful mobile inspection app, can help inspectors and staff consistently perform temperature monitoring.
Convenient mobile inspection app
- Handy inspection tool available on Android, iPhone, or iPad
- Easily create and customize digital temperature log templates.
- Record or take photos of temperature readings and the immediate environment
- Connect it to Sensors so you can remotely capture temperature readings and monitor them within a single device
Do not miss another routine temperature check
- SafetyCulture’s scheduling feature ensures that employees are reminded when temperature logs are due.
- Be notified when scheduled inspections are missed.
Monitor assigned tasks
Should there be an equipment breakdown due to a temperature threshold breach, immediately assign an action for repair or maintenance and receive real-time status updates.
Cloud-based documentation of temperature logs
- Worry less about losing important temperature log sheets.
- Share SafetyCulture reports that are automatically organized and saved in the cloud – important for providing proof of record-keeping if aiming for any type of certification or proving due diligence.
- Review collected temperature logs anytime anywhere on your mobile or computer.
Automatically monitor the temperature in real-time. Learn more about Temperature Monitoring Sensors by SafetyCulture.
Featured Template Log Sheet Templates
Employee Temperature Log- COVID Template
Use this temperature log sheet for employees to keep a record of their temperature as part of the CDC-recommended guidelines for reopening workplaces and public establishments amid COVID-19. This record can help you with contact tracing in case someone in your facility becomes positive. his staff temperature log template recognizes 100.3°F as the threshold and prompts a visual cue for 100.4°F and above temperature readings.
Food Temperature Log Template
This digital food temperature log template can be used to quickly take daily records of temperatures of hot food, cold food, fridges and freezers in food service outlets. Use a Bluetooth enabled thermometer for more accurate reading of food temperature. This temperature log template allows temperature readings of multiple items and you can also include photos as a reference.
Fridge Temperature Checklist
A fridge temperature checklist can be used to record and monitor the current temperature of refrigerators and freezers (both walk-ins and reach-in units). Using °F, this digital fridge temperature sheet will indicate if the temperature entered is out of the safe range. This fridge temperature log can be performed daily or weekly. Use SafetyCulture’s scheduling feature to organize your inspections and never miss another routine temperature check again.
Temperature Monitoring Log
This temperature monitoring log template is a tool used to maintain refrigerators and freezers in the facility. Designated staff can use this to record daily freezer/refrigerator temperature logs and complete it by affixing signatures. Maximize using this template with a bluetooth thermometer and customize this template to set the appropriate temperature level.
Vaccine Temperature Log
This vaccine storage temperature log, or vaccine fridge temperature log, is used to ensure the potency of vaccines while in the cold chain. This vaccine fridge temperature sheet recognizes the CDC-recommended refrigerator and freezer temperature for vaccine storage. Anything out of range will prompt the inspector to inform superior for appropriate action to be taken.
Server Room Temperature Log Template
This server room temperature log accepts between 50-82°F and anything out of range will prompt the inspector to immediately take action and record the action done. SafetyCulture templates with temperature fields can be changed from °F to °C and further edited to fit the needs for any temperature-controlled environment.
Cold Store/Warehouse Inspection Checklist
This cold store/ warehouse inspection checklist can be used to check for defects to the structure, design, and facilities of cold storage or warehouses. This checklist has 11 sections covering food storage facilities and practices, temperature, pest control, and transport. SafetyCulture templates are customizable to fit the requirements of your business.
General Employee Temperature Log Sheet
Use this general employee temperature log sheet to keep a record of employees' temperature whenever they report in for work. Log as many temperature records as needed. This employee temperature log sheet recognizes 100.3° F as the threshold and prompts a visual cue for 100.4° F and above temperature readings.
