Posted By Ian Waldram I have been contacted by someone who works as a cleaner in NHS. She has daily cleaning duties in a patients' smoking room in a mental hospital and has become concerned about her exposure to smoke. One simple change has been made, i.e. smoking stops 15 minutes before her cleaning schedule, but so far the employer and Union working together havn't come up with any other controls, nor have they really kept her informed re progress, though she knows there is discussion about getting the patients to dispose of their own smoking rubbish - but that won't eliminate the need for room cleaning, nor reduce her exposure to residual smoke, the amount of which she reports as significant. I know that setting up 'no smoke exposure' arrangements for workers in residential settings can be very challenging. Forced ventilation for the room would be an obvious improvement, but someone would still have to maintain it, and thus be exposed intermittently. Does anyone have experience of other low-cost solutions I could suggest that really work? She is dedicated to her work, understands that for these patients a 'no indoor smoking' rule is unrealistic, but is clearly also concerned about her own health. No suggestions about who else she or I could contact please - I know there are several other sources, but for this message I'm looking for effective and proven controls known to Forum participants. Thanks for your help.

Posted By Lumpy How about employing a smoking cleaner to undertake tasks in this area.

Posted By Andy Petrie I agree with Rob on this, the levels she is exposed to will be negligable and likewise so will the risk. You sould have a mechanical extract though, they don't cost much.

Posted By Ian Waldram Thanks for your interesting responses. I've noted all points made, including that the risk is possibly negligible, and passed them on to the cleaner - in appropriately diplomatic language! Incidentally, I've also learned that although Scottish Executive plan to issue Regulations quite soon to ban smoking in most enclosed public spaces, including workplaces, psychiatric hospitals are a proposed exclusion. However some Health Boards are already introducing programmes to help such patients quit, as there is then a clear anomally between acute and psychiatric units.