Email Enquiry Smoking Policy What Do You Have In Place?Initial Email Enquiry – Please can the membership make every effort to ‘reply to all’ with this request by Fire Chief for Sasol for information relating to smoking procedures at your facilities. I am in the process of revising our Sasol Synfuels Smoking Policy (see attached) but would really appreciate information from our fellow JOIFF members regarding how they govern this (sometimes sensitive) issue. I am especially interested in knowing what restrictions, if any, are placed on smokers during normal working hours. I have heard rumours like "smokers having to work additional time to make up for lost time; smokers having to clock out at the dedicated smoking areas and clock back in after their smoke break, thus not getting remunerated for the time spend in the smoking area; etc". As I say, "rumours" but what is the truth? Another point is controlling lighters/matches as part of fire prevention - I again know that in certain companies it is not allowed to bring any of the above into the workplace and igniters will be provided at dedicated smoking areas. Then of course the more important issue - what are being done to reduce the number of smokers - "anti-smoking campaigns"; relieve on medical aid premiums (or adding the opposite also); etc. I would appreciate any assistance to prevent me from re-inventing the wheel. I am sure that the practice of "reply to all", even if you are going to get numerous e-mails of "out-of-office" replies, still ensures knowledge sharing that far out-scores the comebacks as mentioned. Imagine if your computer did not have a "delete" function! 1st Response – Whilst my response may not fully address the issue raised by Pine in his email, it might be of interest to Members to learn that the situation with regard to smoking in the Workplace in Ireland is very clear and unequivocal – since 29th March 2004, there is a total ban on smoking in enclosed Workplaces. The legislation is based on the duty of care of an Employer to provide a safe place of work for all employees and it includes as the “Workplace“ everything from factories, offices, bars, restaurants and even company vehicles and taxis. The law allows Employers the discretion of providing an outdoor smoking area which is defined as a place or premises which is wholly uncovered by any roof, fixed or mobile, or if covered by a roof, not more than 50% of the outside perimeter is covered by a wall, windows or gates or similar. Even before the implementation of this legislation, Employers in Ireland were not obliged to allow time off for smoking breaks nor are they obliged to provide such time off breaks after the implementation of the Smoking Ban in the Workplace. So any Employer in Ireland faced with Pine’s predicament has a very clear starting point from which to work.!! This law has been very successful since its very effective implementation – except perhaps for committed smokers and tobacco companies – because it is now possible to go to into buildings and on public transport without having to endure second hand smoke and residual smells on one’s clothing. The effect has been particularly noticeable in places of leisure such as theatres, cinemas, pubs, bars and restaurants. Attached for those who are interested is some detail on the Irish Smoking Ban: View / download Smoking Ban in Ireland (Word doc.) View / download Smoking Ban in Ireland - Further Info (Word doc.) 1st Response – This is worth a look. View / download Smoking Policy (Word doc.)
Author’s identities are concealed for privacy and security reasons. Further information on the information contained in this topic can be directed to the JOIFF secretariaty.
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