Taking breaks - Page 2

slnewbus · #16 07-06-2005, 09:26 PM

Since I am under 18, I have to take a 30 minutes break every 4.5 hours, and I can only work 8 hours a day.

We have a cafeteria that has alot of the park food, but really cheap.

We have water jugs at every ride. Dorney gives us waterbottles, but they are junky, so I got a Nalgene waterbottle.

Sir Willow · #17 07-19-2005, 11:00 AM

Heh, guess that we're pretty spoiled where I"m working. On average, we get a break about every 2 hours. Normal break is a 15 minute one. However, if you're working 7 hours or more, then you'll also get a 35 minute "lunch" as one of those breaks, though you only get one lunch, no matter how long you work.

Can't imagine getting only one break all day in the heat and humidity. That would be pretty harsh. Funny thing is, we have people complain now that they're not getting enough breaks. I think I'm going to print up this thread and post it on our break room. Might stop some of the whining.

Water- we have jugs filled with ice and water at our main stations- load, unload, and height stick, with plenty of cups. We keep the jugs filled, and trust me, we drink plenty of water while we're out there.

Break time? Usually sit and relax in the nice air conditioning in the break room. Might grab a snack since I keep some in my locker (we're lucky at our spot to have personal lockers- most don't), chat a bit with the others, and maybe do a few minutes of reading. Good time for restroom to.

**Alan J** · #18 07-19-2005, 09:08 PM

I dont work at a park since i am 14, but in MN you cant run a ride until your 18 do to heavy equipment. I might work at grand rios indoor waterpark resort when im 15 or 16.

**Andrew P** · #19 07-19-2005, 10:01 PM

I had an experience with heat exhaustion a few weeks ago. Whether it is on a ride or at some other job, heat exhaustion can get to you. I remember being terribly rushed that day, I didn't drink water as frequently as I should have. I recall feeling sick about 10am, and I still had 5 hours to go. About 1pm, I contemplated asking a supervisor to go home early...but I held on. My breaks felt shorter than they were, I had no appettite. It felt like I had a fever. It was a 94 degree day outside, and though a fan was blowing on me inside, I was hot yet chilled at the same time.

The lesson I learned in all this, DRINK WATER. The above incident happened on a Friday. I came back to work the following Monday and drank about 4 or 5 liters of water. That was to make sure I didn't overheat like I did.

I do recall times in the past where our "glorious" supervisors would supply us with extra ice or extra bottles of water in these hot and humid days. But so far, not this year.

Even thouh this is assumed as a thread of Park employees, I see it as any employee who gets paid hourly. At least with this topic, and this type of summer. In an 8 hour day, we get two 10 minute breaks and one 20 minute lunch. For each additional 2 hours of work, an additional 10 minute break is added.

**Jimmy B** · #20 07-21-2005, 03:56 PM

I actually did get sick this season, back in early June. What caused it was my lack of eating meals.....I didn't eat much the night before, and on that day, I didn't have breakfast (as I usually don't), and I didn't get a break that afternoon, so I didn't get to have lunch.

It was quite warm out there at about 102 degrees outside with 110 heat index; normally, I am not bothered by the heat/humidity as I have been very much used to it, but it was a little warmer than usual -- plus the position I was working had virtually no shading or roof on me all day -- and my lack of meals and very little water took a hard toll on my stomach and by the late afternoon (around 5 PM) I nearly lost it, that I had to sit down in the panel room (fortunately, my supervisor was there to take my place in loading for a little while), I did get my long overdue break about an hour before closing. I felt much better afterward.

GiantWheel_SFKK · #21 07-21-2005, 11:59 PM

Kentucky State Labor Laws

All minors must have a 10(15) minute rest break for every four hour block of time they work.

No minor is allowed to work for more than five hours without a thirty minute meal break.

During the school year, no minor is allowed to work more than 7 hours in a single school day and may work no more than 25(i think) hours during the week.

twixmix0303 · #22 07-22-2005, 03:06 AM

At Six Flags Great America we get one (unpaid) half-hour break per shift (6 hours) worked. If you work all day, you'll usually also get a (paid) 15-minute break later in the evening. Of course, we get bathroom breaks as needed.

We do have water jugs at each ride and the park provides free water bottles. We are allowed to consume only water and only from the park-provided water bottles while on the job. They also have free lemondade in the cafeteria on hot days-a very nice thing.

Also, we aren't allowed to ride while in uniform, except for testing purposes.

slnewbus · #23 07-22-2005, 10:38 AM

Oh my god, heat exhaustion is horrible. I was at the point where I could hardly function. I asked for an easy job, aka height check, for the rest of the night. Since my supervisors are very flexible, they let me.

The heat exhaustion taught me to drink alot of water/gatorade. It really keeps you up at top condition.

Carowinds 73-03 · #24 07-22-2005, 11:15 AM

That stinks, We get to ride in uniform but it's before the guest get into the station and after the last guest has gotten off the ride.

Every so often an employee in uniform will come up and ride durring operating hours.

slnewbus · #25 07-22-2005, 11:18 AM

We get to ride before and after the park opens.

GiantWheel_SFKK · #26 07-22-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twixmix0303

Also, we aren't allowed to ride while in uniform, except for testing purposes.

Must be a six flags thing. They don't allow that at our park either.

Coastercameron · #27 07-24-2005, 01:36 AM

That is more like an everypark thing... Of course you can ride before/after the park is open to the public. In my dept, since we have radios, we get called to ride along with guests who need a chaprone or with a disabled guest during the day.

Also, I cannot believe your breaks, we get 15 mins from 4-5:59 hours worked, 30 from 6-7:59 1 hour from 8-9:59, and then like 15 mins for every 2 hours after that, and all the positions are air conditioned too

**Jimmy B** · #28 07-25-2005, 01:11 AM

Speaking of heat exhaustion, yesterday (Saturday 7/23), I worked with a new ride operator, who had just moved from up north, on his first day on the job. He was assigned the Eruption (S&S Sky Sling) as a loader (with myself as the panel operator), which had virtually no shade from the heat at this ride. It was forecasted to be 101 degrees that day plus the heavy humidity load. But being from upper Michigan, he had no experiences with the potentially oppresive summers in the south.

When the day began, he was very exicited to be a ride operator. During his first break -- which came a lot sooner than usual at only an hour after opening -- instead of getting some much needed rest, he spent most of his break time running around the park showing and telling many of his friends who were at the park that day about him becoming a ride operator, and after he came back from break early, he was a little tired and winded, but eager to continue operating our ride. As the day progressed, the building heat seemed to get to him more and more, as he was forced to slow down. And the Saturday crowds kept us operating non-stop all afternoon. He consumed some water during the day, but not nearly enough to keep him going. By late afternoon (around 5 PM), he was so hot and exhausted to the extent that he was collapsing to the ground, at which point I called for First Aid, and he was helped to the first aid center nearby for treatment. Fortuanately, one of our supervisors came in and took his place for the night; I was informed by him that the newcomer was not able to continue the rest of the day and was sent home to recover.

At this point, I am hearing from our area lead that he is seriously considering quitting due to his ordeal on Saturday; but we are really encouraging him to come back and learn from this.

This may not apply to those of you park employees up north where the heat and humidity is not much of a concern, but the lesson to learn from all this (mainly for those of us in the south, particularly Oklahoma and Texas):

-- Drink plenty of water! Even if you are not thirsty, consume at least two cups of water/fluids per every hour worked.

-- Take your breaks wisely! Get some rest when given the opportunity. At the park I work at, sitting down has come to be a luxary during our work days; except for a couple of positions, we are required to stay standing at all times while at our rides.

-- Take it easy during the mid-late afternoon hours. Move along as much as you can while not overexerting yourself.

For those of you planning on looking at a job at theme parks, especially operating rides, please understand that the job may not always be as glamourous as you might believe; it is a lot of hard work and sweat under long hours, and it is physically demanding and can also be extremely exhausting and tiring. This is in no way discouraging anyone to consider jobs at theme parks, but rather to stress the nature of the work.

Carowinds 73-03 · #29 07-25-2005, 07:09 AM

I could not have said that better. Hope the new guy is ok and returns soon.

It's going to be crazy HOT here the next 3 days at Carowinds. 101 today, 105 tomorrow and 99 wed.

We usually have 3-4 people pass out i line. I expect more the next few days. We do remind people to drink lots of water in our speils.

Our staff did very well yesterday in the heat, it was around 97 sunday and we went through 2 of those water coolers.

Cid · #30 07-25-2005, 07:43 PM

The heat up here in Ohio has been really bad lately. I spend the majority of my days on the midways walking, and on top of that have to wear a polo and pants. Some days get pretty intenese. I average 1 day a season where I have to sit down cause I overheat and nearly pass out.

I think the biggest thing is to know your limits. I see far too many people who think they can work without a break or water or something and then start getting sick because of it.

Usually I take 1 hour break a day. If I'm working open to close then I'll either take 1 hour long brake and 1 30 min break. Or 3 30 min breaks.