Posted By Robin Jackson
Some of our employees are starting to complain about the use of deodorant and perfume within the workplace, I originally passed this across to the management, but it has fallen on deaf ears, has anybody got any good solid health and safety reason of putting a stop to this. At the moment the only thing that I can link deodorants and perfumes to are allergies but seeing that none of the employees has seen any doctor that would fall on deaf ears, any ideas would be appreciated.

Posted By Taff2
Robin,

I doubt whether there is any law / health & safety reasoning against the use of deoderants & perfumes. Tell your boss that this is not a significant risk to h&s therefore there would be not legal grounds to act.

I would have thought that there would be more workplaces where the opposite (BO) is the issue and again this is a personsl issue not one that can, or should, be resolved by a h&s professional.

Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Robin

Is the Lynx effect interfering with the work?

Paul

Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH
you dont state the nature of your buisness, but I would make the following comments. The use or not of all aerosols should be subject to a risk assessment Why? for example we have a number of children's homes where we only allow solid deodorants etc because the kids sniff cans , they also try to be like James bond with the lighter and the can using them like flame throwers, hair spray sprayed into smoke detectors can disable them etc. I have also known cases where cans of hairspray etc left in desk drawers next to radiators have exploded, similarly cans left in windowsills on hot days.

I do think we should all be acting in harmony on this one.

Regards Bob

Posted By Lilian McCartney
Hi Robin,

I'm not sure if you mean actually spraying these in the workplace or just using them.

If spraying them in the work area this can affect those of us with asthma or hayfever etc.

I asked the girls in the office where I used to work not to spray in the office. It's usually okay with people wearing these (except those that are so overpowering that your senses are deadened for hours.

The toilets, changing rooms etc are the places for 'ablutions' and spraying should be done there. Then you can walk out again if the air is still quite heavily perfumed.

I've never had a problem asking people not to spray in the same room as me whether its hair spray, air freshener or whatever.

For those cynical people out there it can be a problem for those with respiratory problems - try gasping for air some time and see!

Lilian

Posted By Lee Mac
Well there is the other side of the coin to consider- what would the smell be like without the use of deodorants ;-)

Lee

Posted By Merv Newman
I don't think I've ever worn my y-fronts backwards but will admit that inside-out can be a bit tricky. Any man that gets dressed in the dark, so as not to disturb his partner on a 3am call-out, will acknowledge this.

What has this to do with H&S ?

And it's only Tuesday. innit ?

Merv

Posted By John Allen
Merv,

As long as you never wear your underpants over your trousers we will have nothing to worry about. Unless you have to save the world of course!