Smoking Policy

 

Ground Masters acknowledges and accepts its responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all personnel in its employment and as such we are committed to providing a healthy, safe, and productive workplace and protecting all workers from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Ground Masters is aware of the implications and effects to health from smoking. Information and education programs are available to workers, to assist people to quit smoking. These programs are provided by the Health Department, National Heart Foundation, Australian Council on Smoking and Health, and the Cancer Foundation of Western Australia.

Specific to Western Australia, the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006, and associated regulations, legislate against smoking in enclosed public places, and the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (regulation 50D) prohibits PCBUs and workers smoking in enclosed workplaces. Ground Masters shall ensure that notice is given, or signs are displayed to workers at the workplace where personnel cannot smoke in accordance with section 50G (Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022).

‘Enclosed workplaces’ means anything that has, whether permanently or temporarily, a ceiling or roof; and walls, sides, or other vertical coverings. Therefore, smoking is prohibited in all office and workshop areas (including toilets). This also includes any Ground Masters vehicles (this includes trucks and mobile equipment), and any area where there is a risk of fire from flammable materials and gases (i.e., the flammables storage shed).

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other personal vaporisers for the delivery of nicotine and other substances are also not permitted to be used in any areas where smoking is prohibited.

Ground Masters shall strive, so far as reasonably practicable, to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke or any other tobacco or nicotine by-product in accordance with section 50I (Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022). This shall be achieved by ensuring all smokers utilise site designated smoking areas at all times.

Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on most worksites; these restrictions must be adhered to when working on these sites and limited to designated breaks each day. Furthermore, hygienic, aesthetic and environmentally responsible disposal of butts and/or e-cigarettes and other vaporisers is demanded.

The benefits of a smoke-free workplace include a safer, cleaner, healthier, and more productive workplace environment, reduced absenteeism form of illness caused by smoking and passive smoking, reduced fire risk, and the promotion of a healthy corporate image.

We will achieve a smoke free workplace by:

 

• Expecting individual accountability and responsibility from smokers, for their own safety and that of others;

 

• Encouraging and supporting smokers to cut down or quit by utilising available resources;

 

• Educating workers on the health risks of smoking, and the benefits of quitting;

 

• Openly consulting our workforce on all aspects of clean work environments;

 

• Anticipating that our personnel will Immediately report all breaches of our Smoking Policy; and

 

• Continuing to strive towards the best possible practice in the management of work health and safety.

 

This policy shall be reviewed at regular and planned intervals including a review of its effectiveness.

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Robert Wakefield, Managing Director                                       Evan Wakefield, General Manager

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