dilemma for non-smoking workers

Wed 16 Jan 2008

Workers who visit other people's homes as part of their job might be exposed to passive smoke, one work association has warned.

Clive Dickin, chief executive officer of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) said it has caused a dilemma for plumbers who must make house calls as part of their profession.

He explained: "This means employers could now have to choose between either losing valuable business or facing possible litigation by the employee for not protecting them from a medically proven health risk".

Mr Dickin hoped that customers would respect the feelings of non-smoking contractors but recognised "that some customers will be angry at being asked not to smoke in their own homes".

UK companies have adopted non-smoking legislation in their offices and workplaces in respect of their commitment to employee health. However, smokers are entitled to light up after work, or in designated smoking areas.

Most people are thought to be in agreement with the latest non-smoking rules. Campaign group, Forest has also claimed there are "strong commercial reasons for improving air quality and reducing the amount of tobacco smoke", by enticing more customers.