Use no-nonsense approach to eliminate ETS in workplace
Use no-nonsense approach to eliminate ETS in workplace
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) in Arlington Heights, IL, encourages "voluntary, regulatory, and legislative initiatives to eliminate environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) from the workplace, including public spaces such as bars, casinos, restaurants, schools, day-care centers, and public transportation," according to a recently released position statement. ACOEM recommends that employers develop and implement written policies that incorporate these practices:
• Provides all employees with a smoke-free work environment. Theoretically, clean indoor air could be achieved by segregation of smokers with effective engineering controls. However, banning workplace smoking most effectively achieves the desired result. Smoking bans are less expensive, more effective, and more amenable to audit.
• Applies to everyone who enters the work environment, including visitors (defined to include customers).
• Involves employees in the transition to a smoke-free workplace.
• Is clearly communicated to all employees and visitors.
• Has a brief phase-in implementation, which includes advance notice to employees.
• Includes ongoing employee training concerning the health hazards of ETS and policies to prevent exposure.
• Provides for voluntary personal smoking-cessation programs.
• Includes economic as well as epidemiologic evidence that justifies the implementation and enforcement of no-smoking policies at the workplace and other public settings. Failure to implement and enforce such policies will have predictable adverse health and economic outcomes for both employees and employers.
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