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TOBACCO-FREE
As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring that your workplace complies with the restrictions on smoking in fully or substantially enclosed workplaces. There are also new requirements for a smoke-free “buffer zone” around doorways, windows that can open, and air intakes. What are my responsibilities? What are my responsibilities?As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to prevent staff from contravening the tobacco laws. You may not be held responsible if you can demonstrate that you exercised reasonable care and diligence to prevent the contravention of the law. It is therefore up to you to take reasonable steps to ensure that staff are aware that your premises are smoke-free. This includes buffer zones and work vehicles. As an employer, what should I do to make my premises comply with the new smoke-free laws?Review your employment policies and practices to make sure that they result in an indoor smoke-free environment for your employees. Smoking in indoor designated areas will no longer be permitted. Also ensure that your employees do not smoke within the 3 metre buffer zone around doorways, opening windows or air intakes. Check with WorkSafeBC for any additional environmental workplace requirements that may affect your operations. How can I support my staff who wish to stop smoking?Many employers encourage and support their employees in their efforts to quit smoking. For ideas on how, click here. What signage do I have to display?While signage is not specifically required by law, you are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that staff do not smoke where smoking is not allowed. Signs are an excellent way to communicate that premises and vehicles are smoke-free and demonstrate that you are taking the necessary steps to meet the requirements of the new law. You can create your own signs, or you can download signs from this site. |
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