Product category:
Signs for Health and Safety
News Release from: Signs and Labels | Subject: Smoking ban
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 April 2007
Products satisfy smoking ban needs
The smoking ban in England and Wales has ramifications for employers, discussed here by Signs and Labels.
Smoking is an activity that we all think we know something about because we encounter it on a daily basis not only in our workplaces but also in our social lives Whether it is the image of a smoky pub, a bus shelter surrounded by cigarette stubs or the memory of colleagues sloping off for their 10 minute "ciggy break" we all have an opinion on the subject and we all basically know that it is not very good for you
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 19 Nov 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Manage health and safety risks effectively
Risk assessment software provides a simple solution to managing and completing health and safety risk assessments in the workplace by means of a user friendly CD-ROM.
Marking paints are durable and retain colour
Said to be the most durable marking paint available aerosol line marking paints offering a superior solution to safety line marking in workshops, warehouses and distribution centres.
But are you really aware of just how many people still smoke or just how bad for your health it is? Well, to answer the first part of the question it is estimated that 1/4 of all adults (12 million people) still smoke with 2 million people still working in workplaces that allow smoking and 10 million people still working in companies that allow smoking somewhere on the premises according to ASH and The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
The question of health implications is slightly more controversial.
However, it is now generally acknowledged by experts that smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature deaths in the UK killing around 106,000 people annually.
Further reading
10-person kit complies with H and S regulations
A 10 person first aid kit complies with the latest Health and Safety Regulations and contains a variety of essential products to treat everyday injuries in workplace environments.
Is your site signage adequate and safe?
The main issues to affect site signage today are changing government guidelines, HSE directives and as ever, plain common sense, says Jon Walker who points out the advantages of good signage.
Catalogue covers office and industrial safety
The latest Safetyshop catalogue is the UK's largest single resource for safety equipment and signage solutions, covering the whole spectrum of office and industrial requirements.
This figure is approximately 5 times higher than for road traffic accidents over the same period.
Passive smoking is just as dangerous, if the estimates that second hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 24% and heart disease by 25% in adult non-smokers is correct.
When faced with such horrendous statistics it is therefore no wonder that the powers that be have decided to take action to prevent smoking in enclosed public areas.
Morally they will be able to pat themselves on the back in that they have done society a big favour and financially they will save the National Health Service a fortune in the long run.
So if you are a smoker beware.
The smoke-free legislation is either already in force or is on its way shortly.
In the Republic of Ireland no smoking legislation came into force in March 2004.
In Scotland The Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland ) Act 2005 came into force on 26th March 2006.
In Wales The Smoke-Free Premises (Wales ) Regulations will come into force on 2nd April 2007, in Northern Ireland The Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 will become law on 30th April 2007 and in England through a variety of different regulations on 1st July 2007.
The objectives of the English law are to: Reduce the risk to heath from exposure to second hand smoke; Recognise a persons right to be protected from harm and to enjoy smoke-free air; Increase the benefits of smoke-free enclosed places and workplaces for people trying to give up smoking so that they can succeed in an environment where social pressures to smoke are reduced; Save thousands of lives over the next decade by reducing both exposure to hazardous second hand smoke and overall smoking rates.
A guestimate by Pat Hewitt, the Health Secretary, regarding the number of lives that could be saved over time currently stands at around 600,000.
Although the legislation in Wales, Scotland and Ireland has been independently drafted and each has slightly different requirements and penalties the sentiments expressed are basically the same.
There are 4 basic offences and penalties covered by the new laws: 1) Display of No Smoking Signs: At each entrance to smoke-free premises there shall be displayed in a prominent position at least one no smoking sign.
Smoke-free vehicles used by more than one person such as fork lift trucks or company cars will be required to display at least one no smoking sign in any compartment of the vehicle used by the operators, drivers, crew members or passengers which is wholly or partially covered by a roof.
Again it is to be displayed in a position prominently visible to a person entering the vehicle.
In this case an operator is any person with management responsibilities for the vehicle and roof does not include any roof that is completely stowed away so that it does not cover any part of the compartment in which persons may travel.
The specifications for such safety signs are very precise in terms of both size and wording and can be supplied by all reputable safety sign manufacturers to all national legislation.
Failure of the responsible person to display no smoking signs in premises could lead to a fine in court of up to GBP1,100 or a fixed penalty notice of GBP200 or GBP150 if paid within 15 days.
2) Smoking in a smoke-free place: A person who smokes in a smoke-free place will be committing an offence and will attract a maximum fine of GBP1,100 in court or GBP50 with a discount of GBP20 if served as a fixed penalty notice and paid within 15 days.
3) Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke free place: It is the duty of any person who controls or is concerned in the management of smoke-free premises to cause a person smoking there to stop smoking.
In a vehicle the relevant person would be the operator, the driver or any person on the vehicle who is responsible for order or safety on it.
The penalty for non-compliance in court is a maximum fine of around GBP2,500.
4) Obstructing an authorised officer: The penalty for obstructing an authorised officer of an enforcement authority in his duties is currently a maximum of GBP1,100.
Having read this article if you are feeling overwhelmed by the statistics, your future without cigarettes or your responsibilities my advice to you would be short and sweet: If you are a smoker - seriously consider trying to give it up before your life becomes very complicated.
If you are an employer - Note, all workplaces must be smoke-free or you will face prosecution.
There are no circumstances in which employees can smoke indoors and no manager can allow an employee to smoke so you MUST buy the safety signs you need NOW, nominate a competent person to implement your no smoking policy, deal with offenders swiftly and police your policy regularly.
Exemptions to the requirements are very far and few between.
Do not count on the fact that you will be one of them. Request a free brochure from Signs and Labels ...
• Signs and Labels: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
