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Brownaw1  
#1 Posted : 29 September 2016 13:26:43(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Brownaw1

Hi all,

I'm looking for some help on risk assessments for staff smoking.

Our staff work 24hrs and obviously go outside to smoke during their breaks, in some of our sites which are smoke free they have to leave the site completely and walk down the road.

My question - should I risk assess this based on the risks associated with potentially being alone whilst walking to and from breaks etc. or from being outside on their own at night ?

Thanks in advance for any help / comments.

A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 29 September 2016 13:48:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

It's just another personal risk they will have to accept as part and parcel of smoking.  You are not making them smoke and the requirement for them to leave the premises is a statutory one.

Think about this-if you did find that there was a risk of them being assaulted as they snuck off for a fag, what could you do about? You can’t accommodate them on your site and you can’t protect them off your site, so even if the risk assessment was your responsibility what could you realistically do?

WatsonD  
#3 Posted : 30 September 2016 09:19:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
WatsonD

I agree.
Ian Bell2  
#4 Posted : 30 September 2016 09:56:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

The biggest risk of this activity is likely to be smoking.

Control measure - stop smoking.

More cotton wool by the sound of it. Significant risk from the work activity/employers undertaking.....???

Invictus  
#5 Posted : 30 September 2016 11:03:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Invictus

I hope that cotton wool is Hi Viz!
biker1  
#6 Posted : 30 September 2016 15:16:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
biker1

I'd do something about the staff having to work 24 hours - that's just cruel!
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