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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice is given to employers about provision of smoke free working and rest areas for employees. [99981] Mr. Nicholas Brown: All employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees, and this duty includes any risks arising from passive smoking. More specifically, the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to protect non-smokers from discomfort caused by tobacco smoke in rest rooms and rest areas. This means that employers must either provide separate rest rooms/areas for smokers and non smokers or prohibit smoking in rest rooms/areas. Free guidance published by HSE provides advice to employers on introducing effective smoking policies in the workplace. The guidance advises that employers must ensure that there are arrangements to protect non- smokers from discomfort caused by tobacco smoke in rest rooms or rest areas. The guidance recommends that smoking policies in the workplace should give priority to the needs of non- smokers who do not wish to breathe tobacco smoke.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

99981; 401 c496-7W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Employment Health and safety Facilities Working conditions Smoking

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk