I work for a refrigerated warehouse owned by a huge grocery chain in the midwest.
I'm relatively new to the job since last October, but have earned a decent rep with the middle managers. I do my work well and don't compromise on mine and other's safety. I was recently trained on a forklift, and have been doing well in that position.
The warehouse recently built a massive freezer expansion for dry ice production and assorted frozen goods. There was talk of a pay raise and specific positions for the work to be done in it, but once it “opened” those probed to be only rumors.
Today I was randomly called off of a pallet-picking position (where I earn a little bit of incentive pay) to forklift in the -20F freezer for the rest of my 10hr shift.
I have some bibs and a good coat (that I had before this job) but no cold gloves or face coverings. Since this part is so new, the company doesn't have adequate gloves or face coverings to supply but my manager insists I go try to find someone else's stuff and take it from them if it's unattended.
It's very likely I was asked today because many people have refused without taking a pay raise. Is there any advice y'all would give to help my situation? Without this job I'm basically homeless, and I don't want to test fate by telling them no while I'm still so new.
TLDR: I was randomly called to forklift in a -20F freezer for a 10 hour shift without adequate cold wear. Management insists “they're thinking about having gear to give us” but for now says to take someone else's. What do I do?