Smoking Regulations in the Workplace

Secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. It also can impact the circulatory and respiratory systems immediately. Exposure to secondhand smoke often occurs away from the home for nonsmokers, including inside the workplace. Smoking regulations are an important consideration for businesses, not only to set rules, but also to guard against secondhand smoke.
Purpose

Workplace smoking regulations spell out the specifics on whether is allowed in the workplace. For businesses that choose to allow smoking, the regulations should indicate where the activity is allowed. For example, you may restrict smoking to specific outdoor locations or require that the employees go to their vehicles to smoke. The company smoking policy also should include consequences if employees smoke when it is banned or engage in smoking in banned areas.

Legal Factors

Some states have established laws about smoking in the workplace, and these laws often govern both public and private places of employment. Other states focus primarily on public workplaces or allow for smoking in designated areas. Texas does not have a statewide workplace smoking ban, but a coalition of organizations called Smoke-Free Texas continues to push for such laws. Cities and municipalities also can enact smoking laws. For example, Houston prohibits smoking in enclosed areas of both public and private workplaces, as well as any outdoor space within 25 feet of any doors, handicapped ramps, functioning windows or intake areas for air conditioners.

Benefits

According to the American Cancer Society, there is no safe exposure level to secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers cannot avoid exposure when smoking is allowed on the premises. Smoking regulations in the workplace protect nonsmokers from the harmful side effects while they are on the job. The inability to smoke at work may encourage the smokers in the company to quit the unhealthy habit. The policy may also appeal to potential employees who don't smoke.

Actions

Create a written policy that addresses smoking in the workplace. All current employees should sign a copy of the policy to verify that they understand and agree to abide by the regulations. New employees should receive written details about the policy so they are aware of their inability to smoke at work. Allowing employees to smoke in designated areas still puts nonsmokers at risk for secondhand smoke exposure. Smoking near entrances causes exposure for other employees. Allowing any smoking indoors may lead to exposure even if nonsmokers aren't in the immediate area. Ventilation and air cleaning won't adequately remove the exposure risk.

* Shelley Frost, holds a BA in elementary education with a reading endorsement.

Safety Regulations in a Workplace, OSHA helps small businesses comply with their regulations.

Most safety regulations in the workplace are enforced by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Safety regulations are meant to protect workers, while punishing businesses that put their employees in danger. Small business often have the hardest time conforming to ever-changing safety regulations because they lack the manpower and resources to hire their own safety inspectors, but the federal government offers free information to help businesses tackle safety issues.

During the 19th century and earlier, workplace safety regulations were almost nonexistent in the U.S., according to the Economic History Association. The first railroad regulatory commissions appeared the 1840s, but were hardly effective at improving worker safety since they had little legal authority. The first safety regulations appeared during the 1900s and 1910s, such as the formation of the Food and Drug Administration, but mostly to protect people working in dangerous jobs, such as railroads and mines, or as a response to whistle-blowing, muckraking journalists.

OSHA

In 1970, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which established the first federal body--OSHA--to oversee workplace safety, according to the Department of Labor. OSHA, or one of its state approved arms, enforces safety regulations. As of 2010, only the self-employed, families of farmers and those protected by other government agencies, such as the Coast Guard, do not fall under OSHA's jurisdiction.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

Because of the difficulties and expenses incurred by small businesses trying to implement OSHA regulations, Congress passed the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act in 1996, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBREFA offers small businesses more input in federal safety regulations via the SBA and a reduction in penalties for safety violations.

Benefits

Safety regulations not only offer workers a safer working environment, it saves small businesses time and money. Since the inception of OSHA, workplace accidents and fatalities have fallen 40 percent, according to All Business. In addition, each year, 6 million workplace injuries occur--costing Americans about $110 billion each year, according to the OSHA Small Business Handbook.

Tip

Small business can receive help from OSHA to improve their work site by simply requesting a free safety consultation, according to OSHA. OSHA recommends that employers allow employee to participate in the OSHA inspection so they are better informed about safety issues and spotting hazards, and so OSHA can gauge the safety knowledge of the current staff.

* Russell Huebsch, graduated from Baylor University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.