Smoking policy

[dan80]

Hi, been trying to find the smoking policy with no luck. Can anybody please point me in right direction. Thanks in advance. We are currently having problems in our office where smokers are smoking whilst loading their vans

[dan80]

Forgot to say as well, the two individuals who are doing this are two former deputy managers who the current managers are letting them do pretty much as they wish, causing problems for other members

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It is illegal to smoke in Royal Mail vans as they are classed as workplaces. http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/what- ... ick-guide/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When The Smoke Free Law is Broken

Your local council as opposed to the police are in charge of enforcing the Smoke Free law. Don’t be complacent however as if you are found to be ignoring legislation you will be breaking the law.

Fixed penalties and the maximum fine amounts are as follows:

Smoking at Work or in a Vehicle Classed as a No Smoking Area- fixed penalty £50, reduced to £30 if paid within fifteen days of issue. If prosecuted by court the maximum fine limit is £200. (Driver/Passenger)

Not Adhering to Signage Regulations (owners / managers)- fixed penalty £200, reduced to £150 if paid within fifteen days from issue. Court prosecuted cases hold a maximum fine level of £1000.

Not Maintaining a Smoke Free Place – (owners / managers)- a maximum penalty of £2500 to the person who manages / controls the area which does not comply with the Smoke Free legislation. A fixed penalty notice is not appropriate in this situation.


If concerned about someone smoking in a smoke free area contact / inform the staff / owner as soon as possible or call the Smoke Free Compliance Line (number 0800 587 1667). This report may be made anonymously if wished although it may be helpful to be able to call those who complain to clarify details where needed. All complaints / concerns are passed on to the relevant council for follow up.

If they are loading the van whilst smoking then its a judgement call, but at £2500 fine for a manager failing to maintain a smoke free place its a judgement they may wish to err on the strict side and ban it.

There is an unnumbered LTB from 2007 as well.

To: All Branches with Postal Members

Regional Health and Safety Forums and Regional Secretaries

Dear Colleagues,

Smoking Rooms in Royal Mail Buildings, Smoking Shelters and Outside Designated Smoking Areas on Royal Mail Premises

Further to previous Letters to Branches and BOB Paragraphs on the new "Smokefree" legislation, this is to inform Branches and Area Safety Reps that the revised Royal Mail Group Smoking Policy is still to be finalised by the Royal Mail Board - a decision having been deferred by the board at it's meeting on 21 March.

All Smoking Rooms in Scotland closed in order to comply with legislation introduced on 29 March 2006 and smoking rooms in other RM group Buildings will be closed and be locked on 2 April in Wales, 30 April in Northern Ireland and finally on 1 July in England when the new legislation comes in to force in those parts of the UK along with Royal Mail Group's new Smoking Policy of which we await finalisation and publication.

Questions have been raised regarding the future use of former smoking rooms, existing smoking shelters and new outside designated smoking areas. The questions fall into 3 main areas:-

· Will Smoking Shelters be retained and modified to meet the new smokefree legislation ?

The Union has been pressing Royal Mail to provide Shelters which meet the new legislation by modifying and where necessary moving existing shelters. Royal Mail's present position to provide no new shelters and to close and decommission all existing Shelters which do not comply with the new legislation (which is probably all of them). The Union has made strong representations, asking them to reconsider their position and provide compliant shelters. The Royal Mail Board's final decision on this is awaited as mentioned above.

· What will happen to existing smoking rooms when they close ?

We have asked that consideration be given as to whether existing smoking rooms can be used for other social and welfare use following closure. The following has been confirmed by the Royal Mail Group Head of Health:

The Royal Mail Group Smoking Policy allows for local consultation between management and Union representatives for local matters (e.g. reallocation of use of smoking rooms)

· How will the new outside designated smoking areas be determined and decided upon ?


The following has been confirmed by the Royal Mail Group Head of Health:

Smoking will only be allowed in locally agreed and designated areas. Such areas will be agreed on between the site manager with appropriate expert input and the local CWU Union representatives.

Any queries relating to this LTB should be directed to the HS&E Department at CWU Headquarters.

[ThatsNotPlumb]

You aren't allowed to smoke in the Royal Mail van or in any area of Royal Mail premises other than the designated smoking areas of which the area in which you load your van is most certainly not.

[motherhubbard]

I thought you had to be off RM premises to smoke.
I didn't think smoking in the car park/loading area was allowed.

[ziggy]

Not allowed to smoke in the loading bay but apparently acceptable to leave engines running while others are loading vans