Why must raw pork sausage be stored separately and below a crab salad within the walk in cooler?

Raw pork sausage must be stored separately and below crab salad in a walk-in cooler to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety. Storing raw meat above ready-to-eat foods, like crab salad, increases the risk of drips or leaks carrying harmful pathogens from the raw sausage to the salad, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses. Keeping them separate helps maintain proper hygiene and minimizes the risk of contamination.