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No Smoking Signs: Creating a Smoke-Free Workplace

March 20, 2013
No Smoking Sign

A No Smoking sign lessens health risks in your facility.

Smoking is dangerous to your health, and so is secondhand smoking. In fact, according a study published by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers in the American Journal of Public Health, secondhand smoke accounts for 42,000 deaths of non-smokers in the U.S. every year, including about 900 infants. Even the American Cancer Society states that secondhand smoke can increase the risk of lung cancer and heart disease.

The workplace is a major source of secondhand smoking, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Nevertheless, you can address this problem by creating smoking regulations and designating proper smoking areas in your facility.

And to fortify your smoking policies, post No Smoking signs especially in areas that could not be missed by your employees. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here are more reasons why you should invest in a No Smoking sign: (more…)

Posted in General Safety, Safety & Security Solutions, Smoking Areas, Smoking Policy & Products, State Smoking Laws, Workplace Smoking Policy | 9 Comments »

Indiana Smoke-Free Air Law Now in Effect

July 23, 2012

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has signed a Statewide Smoking Ban bill (HB 1149) that prohibits smoking in the following public places effective July 1, 2012:

  • Restaurants
  • Workplaces, including enclosed areas of employment
  • Most bars
  • Area within 8 feet of a public entrance to public areas or places of employment
  • A vehicle owned, leased, or operated by the state if the vehicle is being used for a governmental function (more…)

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Posted in Regulations, Smoking Areas, Smoking Policy & Products, State Smoking Laws, Workplace Smoking Policy | Leave a Comment »

Is it time to refresh your facility’s outdoor space?

August 4, 2011

Have you been spending more time outside at your workplace? I know I have.  Living in Buffalo, we get a bad reputation for harsh winters.  Possibly due to that, once it warms up outside, I need to get out and spend time in the sun.  So when I am on a break at work, I tend to sit on one of our benches.

We have 3 picnic tables so that people can enjoy their lunches while enjoying the fresh air.  Another area has park benches under the trees if it’s too hot.  And, for those days when it’s windy and cold, we put up a shelter with a bench inside.

Take a fresh look at your outside gathering space.  Does it need a refresh?  Is it missing a table to eat at?  Maybe you need some ash/trash receptacles or garbage cans.  Talk to your facility maintenance department about adding some of these items to help make your breaktime more relaxing.  Enjoy the sun and warmth – before you know it, winter will be here!

-BDust

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Posted in Janitorial and Sanitation, Parking Lot and Grounds, Smoking Areas, Smoking Policy & Products | Leave a Comment »

Be careful where you light up!

June 11, 2010

Emedco Flammable Materials Sign

Do you need No Smoking or Open Flame Zones around your facility?

OK.  We all know about the legal reasons why no smoking areas are required in workplaces.  I’m sure you have seen these areas that help prevent exposure to second-hand smoke.  But what if your workplace stores flammables?  Are any of the chemicals that you work with combustible?  Posting no smoking or open flame signs can prevent fires, flashpoints and injuries.

Safety is an important factor in today’s workplace.  Keeping employees and visitors informed about dangerous materials is not only a health benefit but also a compliance issue as well.    For instance, OSHA requires that “conspicuous and legible signs prohibiting smoking shall be posted within sight of the customer” at gasoline fueling stations.

There are many ways you can post notices of flammable materials.

Safety Signs are the most common way businesses identify areas where smoking and open flames are restricted.  They come in a variety of materials, sizes, and mounting options to fit the work environment.

When it comes to marking areas where portable tanks are in use, such as oxygen, a better option is a slim sign that holds either magnetically or by a clip to doorframes.   These signs are portable so you can move them as the situation changes.

Another option which may work better for you is floor marking tape and decals.  The laminated vinyl tape is designed to adhere to clean concrete and resists oil, grease and wear and tear.  You can choose from various solid colors or stripes to signify different levels of hazards.

Whatever you choose, you need to keep in mind the type of hazard you have and the best way to convey this to your employees.  If they don’t notice your signs, whatever you do won’t help.  Make your signs obvious so they don’t get overlooked!

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Posted in Smoking Areas, Workplace Smoking Policy | Leave a Comment »

Choosing an effective smoking receptacle for your facility

May 5, 2010

Smokers Cease-Fire Ash Receptacle from EmedcoDoes your company or facility have a designated smoking area?  Most states have laws that restrict smoking in certain areas of your workplace or public areas.  This usually means that you have to put cigarette butt receptacles and signs outside of those areas in order for smokers to toss their butts away.  Otherwise your maintenance department will have a mess to clean up!

There are many options to choose from when you are considering buying an ash receptacle.  Do you need to put the cans inside or outside?  Is there a space limitation – should they hang on the wall or be mounted to the floor?  How many people do you estimate are going to use these receptacles in a given period?  How often do you think your maintenance team will be emptying them?

Receptacles designed for outdoor use usually feature a top that prevents rain from getting in and are made from aluminum and stainless steel so they don’t rust.  A good example of that is the Tower smoking receptacle which is weather-resistant and has a small footprint so it fits in narrow areas.

Smoking receptacles should have an oxygen-restricting design to prevent inadvertent trash fires.  Some have an inner liner that is flame-resistant while others snuff out the lit cigarettes as they are disposed of.  Indoor smoking urns usually have sand substitute to extinguish the discarded cigarette butts.

Lastly, make sure it’s easy for your maintenance crew to empty the butt cans!  No-Mess Smoking Receptacles have a drawer that tips out while the SafeSmoker Receptacle’s tube detaches from the base to access the cigarette butt waste.  Rubbermaid Infinity Wall-Mount Receptacles hold 1,000 cigarettes and has a low profile while their High-Capacity unit has a weighted base to eliminate tip-over and can handle 8,000 butts.

Positioning a smoking receptacle either at entrances to your building or in your designated smoking area helps you to keep your facility looking tidy.

-BDust

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Posted in Smoking Areas, Smoking Policy & Products, Workplace Smoking Policy | Leave a Comment »

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