What are the OSHA rules (if any) for mascots or people wearing similar types of costumes?
Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at
4:00 pm
What are the OSHA rules (if any) for mascots or people wearing similar types of costumes?
I was working as an Easter Bunny and was totally unaware of how horrible it was. I was so hot it was ridiculous and I could barely breathe. My employer got angry when I kept lifting my mask to get air or when I lifted it to get a drink. Their rules were ridiculous and I was just wondering if there was any official rules to a job like that. Thanks.
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I’m not aware of any specific rules for OSHA. Obviously, if you pass out you’d have a lawsuit.
When I was young and worked at a third tier amusement park, their rules were to give the mascots an hour off for each hour worked, a judgement call based on the temperatures. If the suit has interior space, that wouldn’t be directly touching you, you might consider ice packs to lower the temperature inside the costume.
no osha rules for mascots
There is no specific OSHA rule for mascots, however, there is what is called the General Duty clause, which basically states the employer must provide a workplace free from any known hazards that could caause death or injury. So the employer must know that these costumes are very hot, since they sell cooling units for them. Like one poster stated, it would be wise for them to have a rest-break period to allow for cooling every 45-50 minutes. They do make cooling vest and camelbak drinking systems if you are ever in this situation again.