Construction industry ready to blow away the smoke

An Institution of Occupational Safety and Health product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Jun 4, 2007

Workers in the Construction industry are getting ready to enjoy the benefits of going smoke-free as the English ban on smoking in workplaces and public places comes into force.

Fifteen months since Scotland went smoke-free, and over three years after the Republic of Ireland, workers throughout England will now be protected from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke in the workplace.

The ban, which will prohibit smoking in all enclosed workplaces, has been welcomed by the chairman of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's Construction Specialist Group, John Lacey, which has over 8000 members working in the industry/sector: "I'm delighted that construction workers will now be protected from tobacco smoke.

It's a serious health hazard that has been neglected for far too long.

"I hope that employers in our industry will do everything they can to support employees who can no longer smoke at work or want to quit.

Many employers in construction already have no-smoking policies on their premises and in company vehicles, particularly in crew buses, in place, and those that don't won't find the change too difficult.

In time, I'm sure this ban will have an extremely positive effect on the health of workers in our industry.

Health and safety professionals are ready, willing and able to help organisations provide smoke-free environments for everyone!".

Lisa Fowlie, IOSH President, added: "At long last, the whole of the UK will go smoke-free on 1 July, helping to improve workers' health and cut the death toll associated with breathing in second-hand smoke at work.

"We are very pleased to hear that in Scotland, following their ban last year, the air quality benefits are already being enjoyed and to see Wales and Northern Ireland take decisive action in April.

"Everyone has the right to work in healthy and safe workplaces.

Employers have a duty to protect their staff from tobacco smoke, with its associated increased risk of life-threatening illness such as heart disease and lung cancer.

By banning smoking, employers are also removing a known fire hazard from their premises, something which could potentially save even more lives and untold business loses".

IOSH has produced a guide 'A breath of fresh air - introducing a smoke-free policy at work' that can be downloaded free from the website.