Want a healthier workplace that keeps all your employees happy?
Every employer struggles with this issue. You have employees who smoke and employees who don’t. You have needs and you have bottom lines.
Let’s be real for a moment:
Safe smoking zones are not just a “nice to have.” Your business has to be protected from liability, your healthcare costs must be lowered, and you need a work environment that functions.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The Real Benefits of Safe Smoking Areas
- How Smoking Zones Protect Your Business
- Creating the Perfect Smoking Environment
- Legal Requirements You Need to Know
- Smart Design Tips for Maximum Safety
The Real Benefits of Safe Smoking Areas
Think that designated smoking areas are just the nice thing to do?
You’re missing the big picture. Safe smoking zones answer a variety of business problems all at once. When you do this right, all sides benefit.
Here’s why safe smoking areas are important:
Safe smoking zones keep your non-smoking employees safe from secondhand smoke. In workplaces that allow smoking, 20% of non-smokers report second-hand smoke exposure at least once per week.
That’s a problem you can fix.
But that’s not all. Proper smoking areas also keep your smoking employees from taking excessively long breaks. No more wandering around aimlessly trying to find a place to smoke. No more lost productivity over confusion around where smoking is actually allowed.
And here’s the big secret that most business owners don’t realize…
When employees have a specific space to go to smoke, whether that be Canadian light cigarettes or some other tobacco product, they’re more likely to respect non-smoking areas. You’ve created clear boundaries that are understood by all.
The importance of a safe smoking area for your employees is about more than just having a place to smoke. It’s about a workplace culture where employees feel respected.
How Smoking Zones Protect Your Business
Do you know the best part about safe smoking zones?
They protect your business in so many ways you might not have even considered. Smart employers use these zones as part of their overall business strategy, not just a courtesy.
Financial Protection
Businesses that reported smoke-free policies experienced a reduction in fire insurance costs by 25-30% in some studies.
Fire insurance is just the tip of the iceberg here. Proper smoking zones reduce:
- Maintenance and cleaning costs from indoor smoking damage
- Workers’ compensation claims from secondhand smoke exposure
- Health insurance premiums for your entire workforce
- Cleaning and repair costs from smoke residue
Legal Compliance
Navigating the legal world around workplace smoking can be a minefield. Some states have laws requiring smoke-free workplaces. Others allow for designated smoking areas with restrictions.
Here’s what you need to understand…
The majority of states have laws in place that protect the rights of both smokers and non-smokers. Designating smoking zones that make everyone happy is one of the easiest ways to comply with these laws.
Protecting non-smokers from exposure to second-hand smoke while providing smokers with a legal place to smoke is pretty brilliant if you ask me.
Creating the Perfect Smoking Environment
Creating a smoking area is a bit more involved than hanging a “smoking allowed” sign.
Proper smoking zones need to be planned for, placed well, and equipped with the right tools. Get this wrong and you’ll have a lot more problems than you started with.
Location is Key
Your smoking area should be:
- At least 20 feet from the building entrance
- Away from air intake vents
- Downwind from your main building areas
- Easily accessible for employees on a break
The objective is simple: keep smoke away from areas where non-smokers spend time.
Features You Need
Every quality smoking area has a few features in common:
- Weather protection, which means covered seating
- Proper disposal containers for cigarette butts
- Clear signage marking the smoking zone
- Adequate lighting for safety
- Comfortable seating for break time
Maintenance is important for smoking areas too. You’ll need to regularly clean them.
Ventilation and Air Flow
This is where most businesses screw up…
It’s not enough to just toss people into a corner and claim it’s a smoking area. Proper air flow ensures smoke does not drift back towards your building. Prevailing wind patterns should be considered in the location of your smoking area.
Legal Requirements You Need to Know
Employment law is different for every state but there are some commonalities.
About 20% of U.S. workers smoke and your workplace policy needs to accommodate that while still protecting your other employees.
Federal Guidelines
The federal government does not require that you have smoking areas but OSHA does require you to provide a safe working environment for employees. This means protecting your non-smokers from the negative effects of secondhand smoke exposure.
State Requirements
Depending on the state, smoking area laws may require you to have:
- Designated smoking areas in workplaces where smoking is allowed
- Specific minimum distances from building entrances
- Proper ventilation systems
- Clear signage for smoking and non-smoking areas
Local Ordinances
Many cities and counties have additional ordinances. These can be more stringent than state law, so double-check your local ordinances.
Staying a step ahead of regulations instead of having to scramble after an issue crops up is the way to go here.
Smart Design Tips for Maximum Safety
The best smoking areas are ones that solve problems before they happen.
Take into account the flow of people throughout your workspace. Employees have a natural desire to get outside and fresh air when they want to smoke. Break time is valuable to smokers and non-smokers alike.
Giving them an appropriate place to smoke that looks and feels welcoming without letting smoking time balloon out of control is ideal.
Weather Considerations
Employees will smoke in any weather. If you provide them a comfortable place to do it, they’ll respect your boundaries.
Add covered areas for rain, wind barriers, heating elements for cold climates, and shade structures for hot areas.
Security and Safety
Smoking areas should be well-lit and visible from the main building. It protects your employees during break time and keeps out unwanted visitors.
Integration with Overall Design
Don’t think of your smoking area as an eyesore. Smart design can incorporate it into the look and feel of your property while still doing its intended function.
Building Your Strategy
The importance of a safe smoking area for your employees comes down to one simple fact. You need to create a workplace where every employee can be productive and feel comfortable.
Smart smoking zones are a legal and financial protection for your business. They limit the opportunity for conflict between smoking and non-smoking employees. They show your employees you care about everyone’s needs.
Most of all, they give you control over an issue that will create problems for you otherwise.
Want to get started? Take a look at your state and local regulations to start. Then, you can speak to your employees about what they need.
Your time and money put into a good smoking area will pay dividends in employee satisfaction, legal compliance, and lowered business costs.
Bringing It All Together
Safe smoking zones are not a complicated solution but they do require planning and attention to detail.
Employers who do this right will see:
- Decreased conflict between employees
- Lower insurance and maintenance costs
- Better overall compliance with health and safety laws
- Higher employee satisfaction across the board
Remember, this isn’t about promoting or discouraging smoking. It’s about managing a workplace reality in the smartest way possible.
Take the time to do it right and your smoking areas will become an asset for your business, rather than a liability.
