Posted By cara
Have a look at this thread same principles..
http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&forum=1&thread=26699

Advice taken from the supplementary guidance for the new smoking laws...

Draw up a protocol that covers all staff and volunteers who provide services to service uses in their own homes. Provide a leaflet explaining the protocol and any risk assessment process for clients.

If possible, establish a list of homes visited which are occupied by smokers. Also note homes which employees would consider as smoky environments because of others (i.e. clients family) who may smoke in those premises.

ID any members of staff who have pre-existing condition (Asthma, chromic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cardiovascular disease)that is made worse by exposure to tobacco smoke, and those who face additional risks, i.e. because of pregnancy.

Members of staff who have such conditions are at higher risk and particular care should be taken to prevent or minimise exposure to tobacco smoke.

Once the situation relating to individual properties is ascertained, steps can be taken to reduce the exposure that staff might face. E.g. write to those who will be visited and ask them not to smoke during the visit, and ideally not to smoke for an hour or so before the visit is scheduled to take place.

Ensure that no member of staff is expected to make consecutive visits, or even a sequence of visits, to a hose in which they are likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke. A good method is to alternate visits, but this should not take place of the steps detailed above.

When a staff member visits for the 1st time to a household where someone smokes, they should check that the service user understands the protocol and go through the information leaflet. It is expected that most service users will be willing to comply with the protocol. However there may be some service users who need more information, discussion and negotiation before this will happen.