Banned at work as of today

mewso

Oh well it was only a matter of time. Here is the statement sent to us:-

To each member of staff, You will be aware that the use of electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and the debate over the safety of their use, particularly in the work environment, is ongoing.

Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that resemble ordinary cigarettes and deliver nicotine through inhaled vapour. They are currently unregulated in Ireland and their use is not covered by the workplace ban on smoking.

At present, there is no conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes are safe for long-term use or are effective as a smoking cessation aid. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is of the view that the safety of electronic cigarettes has not been scientifically demonstrated and the potential risks they pose for the health of users remain undetermined. There is also concern that because the devices resemble ordinary cigarettes, their use may promote or re-normalise smoking, disrupt the environment for non-smokers and make it harder for smokers to quit. In addition e-cigarettes may pose a potential fire hazard if in proximity to oxygen sources.

The Health Service Executive has recently announced that it has prohibited the use of electronic cigarettes in all health service facilities. Irish Rail has also taken this approach and banned electronic cigarettes on trains and dart services. The Health & Safety Authority has issued a policy statement in relation to their use in the workplace, extract of which is below:

“As with use of any product or substance in the workplace, the Authority recommends that Employers complete a risk assessment on the use of e-cigarettes in their workplace taking into account possible health and safety risks such as the likelihood of fire posed by this type of electronic product. In the absence of any national regulation, employers may wish to adopt a precautionary approach and follow similar measures to that currently in place for cigarettes.”

In light of these developments and in lieu of regulation on their use, the Joint Union/Management Health & Safety Steering Committee has recommended that a best practice sectoral approach is taken to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in local authority premises. This recommendation was approved by the Change Management Committee and Board of the LGMA. Therefore, in order to comply with this recommendation, the use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted on any premises.

As you might guess I'm a public servant. I am very tempted to email our HR department to clarify some of the "facts" mentioned but kind of feeling like what is the point.

tommy2bad

So as this seems to be a public service decision, is it an indication of the direction government is taking?
Are we to expect an announcement from either Leo as min for health or James as min for the chislers with an obsession on hating smoking that vaping is now legally included in the smoking ban.
Hope vapefest is over first, I don't fancy spending a November day outside.

SoapMcTavish

By that logic -Mobile Phones should also be banned. Surely phone batteries have caused many more fires.

eg -

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/229998/exploding-iphone-sets-mans-pants-on-fire/

Going Forward

mewso wrote: »

Oh well it was only a matter of time. Here is the statement sent to us:-



As you might guess I'm a public servant. I am very tempted to email our HR department to clarify some of the "facts" mentioned but kind of feeling like what is the point.

Ask them about their policy regarding radiation from computer monitors, or catching fingers in doors.

They seem to be basing their dictat on being unable to assure the safety of e cigs in the same way. Ban computers too, just in case?

Is there a union?

Good luck with it!!

JH_raheny

mewso wrote: »

Oh well it was only a matter of time. Here is the statement sent to us:-



As you might guess I'm a public servant. I am very tempted to email our HR department to clarify some of the "facts" mentioned but kind of feeling like what is the point.

I really think you should, rip their arguments apart and **** their WHO copy/paste job

MLC_biker

Going Forward wrote: »

Ask them about their policy regarding radiation from computer monitors, or catching fingers in doors.

They seem to be basing their dictat on being unable to assure the safety of e cigs in the same way. Ban computers too, just in case?

Is there a union?

Good luck with it!!

,

Doubt that the union will be on OP side

"... the Joint Union/Management Health & Safety Steering Committee has recommended that a best practice sectoral approach is taken to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in local authority premise"

visual

Typical approch dont like something and mights ifs are used to make a point.

Mobile and computer batteries have caused more problems but that is ignored.

The stupidity of those in decision making roles bowing to the pressure of heaping these in with cigs and its taxes

Celly Smunt

TBH if i didn't vape I'd be quite put off with somebody blowing clouds around me in work. There's a time and place for vaping and I don't think at the office desk is one of them.

Saipanne

I don't like it when people "smoke" them around me, indoors. I just got used to people not blowing fumes in my face. I'd rather keep it that way.

tommy2bad

Saipanne wrote: »

I don't like it when people "smoke" them around me, indoors. I just got used to people not blowing 'visible' fumes in my face. I'd rather keep it that way.

FYP

Saipanne

tommy2bad wrote: »

FYP

I meant what I said.

tommy2bad

Saipanne wrote: »

I meant what I said.

So you actually want people to stop breathing? I can go with you if it's farting but breathing? Come on people expel fumes all the time, if you don't like it, your in big trouble finding anyway to avoid it.

Saipanne

tommy2bad wrote: »

blah blah blah.

Fyp. (Wow, that is easy)

jonski

Saipanne wrote: »

. I just got used to people not blowing fumes in my face.

People were actually blowing fumes in your face ? sounds a bit dramatic

mewso

Saipanne and tommy2bad if you can't have a discussion in a civilised manner then don't bother posting again.

tommy2bad

Some good stuff in this blog about bans etiquette and the effects of the social engineering.
Food for thought.
http://therandomvamper.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/smoking-bans-public-opinion-social-norms-and-vaping-etiquette/