Las Vegas’ outdoor workers protected from heat by certain provisions

If their employers don’t share their concern, the Nevada Occupational Health & Safety Section, or OSHA, of the Division of Industrial Relations is available to step in.

Each summer, OSHA fields about 30 calls that prompt investigations of accusations of heat-related workplace injustices in the valley, spokeswoman Elisabeth Daniels said.

One such call last summer led to an investigation that set one local business owner to a boil.

Julie Larson has been a part of Carl’s Jr. of Las Vegas for 25 years, when her husband Steve Larson brought the franchise here. The couple now own 38 Carl’s Jr. locations in Southern Nevada.

One franchise regular is Happy, a star-shaped mascot for the fast-food chain, and it often greets visitors outside the eatery. Other outside events, such as pony rides in the parking lot, are common at the couple’s restaurants, Larson said.

“I hate to see summer coming, and I try to curtail a lot of our outside marketing activities,” she said.

But she can’t curtail them all.

Last summer, an anonymous caller complained to OSHA , accusing Carl’s Jr. of abusing employees and animals.

“People see things, and they are well-intentioned, but they just don’t know,” Larson said. “They see someone in a big padded costume and think, ‘Carl’s Jr. has their employees out there, and they don’t care.’ ”

Larson said she and her husband care deeply.

First and foremost, Larson said, employees must volunteer to don the Happy suit.

The owners require that the suit be lined with ice packs and provisions so that two cups of water, with straws, can easily be sipped. A manager checks on Happy each 15 minutes via cell phone.

“They are only allowed to be out there for 15 minutes, whether they feel fine or not,” she said.

As for their pony hires, Larson said their presence is limited in time and task, and water misters are provided to keep the animal cool.

“Even though we do have pony rides, we don’t want to be seen as cruel,” Larson said.

She said she was surprised when she found that the matter had been reported to the Division of Industrial Relations.

“My first thought was, ‘Gee, I wish they’d call us first,’ ” she said. “A lot of people don’t want to confront someone directly, so they tattletale.”

The Larsons cooperated with OSHA investigators.

The Carl’s Jr. case was eventually dismissed, Larson said.

“They were completely satisfied we were doing all we could and could have someone doing that under the circumstances,” she said.

Prior to the summer, the Division of Industrial Relations releases its stance on protecting employees from preventable heat-related illnesses.

Daniels did not have a number of heat-related illnesses that led to OSHA investigations or legal interactions in the recent past.

Daniels said the Division of Industrial Relations encourages concerned employees to contact the agency if they feel injustices are occurring.

“Go through your normal channels and give them an opportunity to correct the issues,” she said.

If the employee feels uncomfortable talking to his employer about the situation, for any reason, the employee may contact OSHA directly, without discussing it with his employer.

Larson said she welcomed concerns from employees or the community at large.

“We take care of our employees,” Larson said. “Just as a business owner and a person respectful for your employees, you take care of those things.”

For more information about OSHA and heat-related illness, visit osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html .

Contact Centennial and Paradise View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.