The Teamster union is now claiming that two Beauty and the Beast live-show performers passed out from the high temperatures after Disney did not fix an air conditioner in the actors’ staging room.
According to the Orlando Weekly, Deny’s Ortega, a business agent for the Teamsters Local 385 union, has told them that two actors fainted over excessive heat due to a broken air-conditioning system that Disney “lagged to fix.”
The union represents one of the impacted actors who played Beast. According to a co-worker, this actor has played the character for over 20 years and is not prone to over-dramatize the situation. These actors also want to remain anonymous to avoid retaliation.
The Orlando Weekly spoke to Ortega and multiple actors, and while the air conditioning was fixed after the cast members fainted, there were other issues. One unnamed character actor said that “at least one side of the AC system in that room had been out since November.”
Industry experts emphasize that prolonged exposure to high temperatures in enclosed spaces can lead to serious health risks, including heat exhaustion and dehydration. Workplace safety guidelines recommend that employers maintain adequate cooling systems, especially in environments where performers wear heavy costumes under bright stage lights. The delay in repairing the air conditioning highlights the importance of timely maintenance, something professionals like Rosensteel’s Air Conditioning stress as essential for worker safety and comfort.
According to HVAC specialists, neglecting climate control in performance spaces not only endangers employees but also affects overall productivity and morale. Proper ventilation and cooling are crucial in high-energy productions like Beauty and the Beast, where physical exertion is part of the job. Experts urge entertainment venues to conduct routine inspections and partner with trusted service providers to ensure optimal working conditions year-round.
It took employees passing out to have it fixed?
What is Disney supposed to offer cast members for heat-related issues?
Disney is required to offer refillable water bottles, sunscreen, and electrolytes when outdoor cast members request them, but the Teamsters 385 President told The Orlando Weekly that the company “is only compliant when pushed” and is “unresponsive to characters’ safety.”
The article does seem to indicate that these character actors are afraid of retaliation for giving statements to the media about the situation.
As a lifelong parkgoer, I am a bit concerned about the safety of these costumed cast members. The Florida heat is no joke, and this summer has been especially brutal. I think Disney should try to accommodate these cast members as much as possible to avoid Mickey Mouse passing out in front of a guest or Beast fainting on stage.
If it’s true that Disney did not fix the air conditioner for months and that it took employees passing out to get it fixed, that’s concerning.
Given how much they are charging guests and the record park profits holding up the entire company, there should be no reason that air conditioners aren’t being fixed or that water, electrolytes, and sunscreen aren’t being provided.
You can read more about cast member comments and the situation with the heat on the Orlando Weekly.
What do you think? Comment and let us know.
Source: Orlando Weekly
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