Life-saving Golden Rule No. 9: A Solution Approach to Smoking in the Workplace | (2024)

July 16, 2021 / All Stories, Featured, Mercer Rosenthal, Safety, Team Members

One of the nine Life-saving Golden Rules of Mercer is: “I only smoke in designated areas”.

This is not an arbitrary rule, as we handle large quantities of wood, chemicals, fuels and other materials that are flammable and combustible. Every possible source of ignition must be avoided – including cigarettes!

Cigarettes can not only be dangerous to the company, but also to the people. Rosenthal has long worked on concepts to protect the health and well-being of non-smoking employees, while also protecting the rights of employees who smoke.

Until the end of the last century, it was common to smoke in the workplace and even during meetings. To protect non-smokers, smoking was banned in offices, vehicles, and meeting rooms. In general, smoking was not banned but permitted in so-called smoking areas. It was possible, for example, that entire workshops were designated as smoking areas.

Since this compromise quite obviously disadvantaged non-smokers who shared the rooms in question with smokers, it proved unsuitable.

A solution was needed!

Management would have preferred to ban smoking on the premises completely, as is commonplace in some chemical plants already. The danger we saw was that the implicit illegality of smoking would lead to people smoking “on the sly,” perhaps during times when working alone or on night and weekend shifts.

After consultation with the works council for Rosenthal employees, a new solution was devised: the installation of smoker’s cabins outside of some of the buildings.

Life-saving Golden Rule No. 9: A Solution Approach to Smoking in the Workplace | (1)

As a result, smoking is no longer permitted in any workplace. It is now only permitted in the smoking rooms, essentially consisting of smoking booths.

The cabins are not fully closed and are not heated, meaning smoking is somewhat less comfortable. The new arrangement has been well received. Unfortunately, there are still occasional violations. For example, our property insurer found cigarette butts outside of the designated smoking areas during our latest inspection and brought this concern forward.

We are continuing to work on full compliance with this Life-saving Golden Rule and are striving to find appropriate solutions in the vicinity of all workplaces.

Life-saving Golden Rule No. 9: A Solution Approach to Smoking in the Workplace | (2)

Site plan of Rosenthal with smoking booths drawn in

Life-saving Golden Rule No. 9: A Solution Approach to Smoking in the Workplace | (2024)

FAQs

What is the golden rule of safety? ›

This approach is underpinned by our Golden Safety Rules, which remind us: don't assume it's safe, prove it's safe. Our actions and behaviours contribute to creating a workplace where we can all be healthy, well and safe. Our vigilance can prevent fatalities and serious injuries.

How do you deal with smoking in the workplace? ›

Managing Smoke Breaks: A Challenge for Modern Employers
  1. Establish Clear Policies:
  2. Limit Frequency and Duration:
  3. Include Smoke Breaks in Break Schedules:
  4. Designated Smoking Areas:
  5. Promote Health and Wellness:
  6. Inclusive Break Policies:
  7. Provide Smoking Cessation Resources:
  8. Address Concerns Fairly:

What steps are recommended for the employer to take in establishing a smoke-free work environment? ›

This smoking policy should include:
  • Protection measures: Ensuring non-smokers are protected from second-hand smoke and maintaining a clean workplace image.
  • Specific areas: Designating where smoking is allowed and prohibited, including indoor restrictions.

What are the 7 golden rules of safety precautions? ›

7 golden rules
  • Take leadership – demonstrate commitment.
  • Identify hazards – control risks.
  • Define targets – develop programs.
  • Ensure a safe and healthy system – be well organized.
  • Ensure safety and health in machines, equipment and workplaces.
  • Improve qualifications – develop competence.

What is the golden rule in the workplace? ›

How To Apply The Golden Rule in The Modern Workplace. Some rules are meant to be broken. Others are timeless. The Golden Rule, the idea that you should treat others as you want to be treated, falls in the latter category.

What is the golden rule approach? ›

The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them. It is sometimes called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that you should reciprocate to others how you would like them to treat you (not necessarily how they actually treat you).

What is an example of a smoking policy in the workplace? ›

Smoking shall not be permitted, and no person shall smoke in any indoor area. This includes the bar, dining room, office(s), kitchen, storage room, restrooms, and vehicles used for business. Smoking is prohibited in “outdoor” areas where a roof or ceiling enclosure exists.

How to help employees stop smoking? ›

How to Help Employees Quit Smoking
  1. Understand Smoking Cessation Motives. Employers should strive to understand each employee and their personal motivation for quitting. ...
  2. Offer Smoking Cessation Tools. ...
  3. Cover Medication for Quitting Smoking. ...
  4. Offer Financial Incentives. ...
  5. Foster Support and Encouragement.
May 18, 2022

What are the OSHA rules on smoking in the workplace? ›

General Provision "No employer shall knowingly or intentionally permit, and no person shall engage in, the smoking of tobacco products in an enclosed space at a place of employment." Enforcement This law will be enforced by local law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to, local health departments.

What is the no smoking message to employees? ›

To protect and enhance indoor air quality and contribute to the health and well-being of all employees and visitors, _______[insert organization name]____________ shall be entirely smoke free and vape free. This policy is effective immediately.

How do you talk to an employee about smoking? ›

  1. Smoke & Tobacco-Free Supervisor Talking Points. ...
  2. Briefly state what you want to discuss. ...
  3. Describe specifically what you observed. ...
  4. State the impact of the action. ...
  5. Ask them to respond. ...
  6. Focus the discussion on solutions. ...
  7. Follow-up with the employee.

Can you tell an employee not to smoke? ›

Employers are free to ban all smoking in the workplace, even if state law allows it. In other words, there is no law that protects your right to smoke at work. However, employers have less freedom to regulate off-duty smoking by employees. Several states have laws prohibiting discrimination against smokers.

What are 5 golden safety rules? ›

  • Golden Rule 1 – Working at height. ...
  • Golden Rule 2 – Energized systems. ...
  • Golden Rule 3 – Fire safety. ...
  • Golden Rule 4 – Toxic gases. ...
  • Golden Rule 5 – Lifting operation. ...
  • Golden Rule 6 – Confined space. ...
  • Golden Rule 7 – Management of change. ...
  • Golden Rule 8 – Driving safety.

What are the 3 basic golden rules? ›

1) Debit what comes in - credit what goes out. 2) Credit the giver and Debit the Receiver. 3) Credit all income and debit all expenses.

What are 10 safety rules? ›

  • Safety Rule #1 Know Your Name, Number and Address: ...
  • Safety Rule #2 Do NOT Eat Anything Given By A Stranger: ...
  • Safety Rule #3 Do NOT Climb the Fence: ...
  • Safety Rule #4 Do NOT Walk out of the Yard Alone: ...
  • Safety Rule #5 Playing Or Experimenting with Fire Is NOT Allowed: ...
  • Safety Rule #6 Never Go Anywhere with A Stranger:

What is the number 1 golden rule? ›

1. Common Observations and Tradition. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This seems the most familiar version of the golden rule, highlighting its helpful and proactive gold standard.

What is the ultimate golden rule? ›

Most people grew up with the old adage: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Best known as the “golden rule”, it simply means you should treat others as you'd like to be treated.

What is best safety rule? ›

Safety Rule #1 Know Your Name, Number and Address:

Help your child memorize these with regular practice at home. Also, help your child memorize a backup number to call, like a grandparent, uncle or aunt.

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