Council’s Tobacco Control Campaign Catches Company Director
Defending the workers’ right to breathe smoke-free air, the South Ribble Borough Council has penalized a company director for smoking in his workplace. The council’s enforcement team, during their second surprise visit to Metric Scaffolding UK Ltd, in January, discovered Operations Director Martin Lenehan smoking at his desk.
The first visit by the team had been made after a tip-off informing the council of how the law was being violated by employees who smoked inside their vehicles and inside the office. The accusations had been found to be true, prompting the council to issue a warning to the firm. It advised the firm to ensure a smoke-free environment and reminded it of disciplinary action that might follow the violation of workplace smoking regulations.
Lenehan refused to pay the £50 fine levied on him for smoking and did not attend his court summon where Leyland magistrates charged him with violation of section 7 of the Health Act 2006 by smoking in a smoke-free zone. He was subsequently ordered to pay a fine of £175 along with £75 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Peter Mullineaux, Councillor for Leyland Magistrates, commented that the smoke free legislation was implemented to prevent health dangers associated with employees’ exposure to second-hand smoke. The Certificate in Personnel Practice (CPP) is structured for those who are involved in HR/personnel activities. The course provides a firm foundation in all the areas of personnel and will help you to gain a broad grasp of employment law so you can set your own organisation’s policies and procedures in context.
He added that the council has for the past two years been interacting with employers and spreading awareness about the legislation. A large number of businesses were actually responding quite favourably and realizing the importance of having a smoke-free work facility.
