VMS_WorkPlaceSmokeFreePolicy

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V. M. SALGAOCAR & BRO.PVT. LTD.

(VMSB)

GOA

SMOKE FREEWORKPLACE POLICY

2008

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Aims of the Policy

The Policy seeks to:

guarantee a healthyworking environment and protect the current and future health ofemployees, customers and visitors to the Head Office & Mines Offices

ban smoking and use of tobacco in all parts within the premises of Head Office & MinesOffices

guarantee the right of non-smokers to breathe in air free from tobacco smoke

comply with Health & Safety Legislation and Employment Law

raise awareness of the dangers associated with exposure to tobacco smoke and toactively promote a campaign to highlight the health risks of smoking

take account of the needs of those who smoke and to support those who wish to stop

ensure the ultimate aim of becoming a totally smoke and tobacco free organisation(buildings and all enclosed public places) by the end of2010

be recognised in upper quartile of employers for delivering effective Smoke FreeWorkplace Policy

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MARCH 2005

This Smoke Free Work Place Policyis implemented by V. M.

Salgaocar & Bro. Pvt. Ltd., Goa on

the 1st

Day of October 2008 and will


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SMOKE FREE WORKPLACE POLICY

INTRODUCTION

The Central Government has framed the Prohibition of Smoking in public placesRules, 2008 which shall come into force on 2nd October 2008.

VMSB acknowledges that the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008requires Employers to provide a safe environment for Employees and members ofthe public. The above Rules require Employers to provide smoke free workingenvironment for all Employees.

There is a growing campaign both nationally and internationally to reduce orexclude smoking in public and in workplaces. This is primarily due to increasingevidence of the potential risk to human health as a result of passive smoking.

VMSB has constituted this Policy to actively promote better environment for healthof all its employees, visitors, and customers.

VMSB acknowledges that passive tobacco smoking is both a public and work placehealth hazard and have therefore adopted this Smoke Free Workplace Policy.

In view of the overwhelming medical evidence that both active and passive smokingis harmful to health, VMSB is committed to introduce and manage a total smokingban throughout its premises.

This Policy has been prepared following comprehensive consultation with allemployees/staff and with the support of Trade Union representatives.

OBJECTIVES

To ban the use of tobacco/smoking within all work places of the Company.

To protect ALL employees, contractors and visitors from exposure to passive tobaccosmoke by providing a smoke-free environment.

To actively promote a campaign to highlight the health hazards/risks of tobacco smoking,the cost to the organisation and to individuals of smoking and to provide assistance andsupport to smokers wanting to stop.

To achieve a completely tobacco smoke-free environment by 2010.

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3. SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This Policy refers to all VMSB employees at the Head Office & Mines, ServiceUsers (customers) Contractors, Sub-contactors, and Visitors. Everyone must strictlyabide and comply with the Smoke Free Workplace Policy.

The policy covers the premises known as the VMSB Head Office & Mines Offices.

Two weeks priornotice will be given before the enforcement of this Policy. Thepolicy will come into effect on Wednesday, the 1st October 2008 and shall remain inforce and shall stand amended from time to time in accordance with the provision ofProhibition on Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008.

Restrictions on Smoking Provision of Smoke Free Zone

Smoking is not permitted at any time, or by any person regardless of their status orbusiness with VMSB in any part of the premises being any entrance or exit to theHead Office Building and Mines Offices. Furthermore any employee seen smokingby VMSB customers using the Head Office / Mines Offices premises or bringingthe policy into disrepute shall be deemed to have breached the terms of the policy.

Standard Contract Agreements

The Standard Contract Agreement will be amended to ensure necessary

compliance of the Smoke Free Workplace Policy by all Contractors, Agentsengaged for the business of VMSB.

4. ENFORCEMENT

The Policy will be communicated throughout VMSB to all employees and willbecome part of Local Conditions of Service.

Breach of terms of the Policy will need to be managed in a fair but effective mannerand in accordance with best practice.

Support will be provided in all cases of non-compliance (See following section).However, serious breaches of this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action by theManagement of VMSB.

5. GAINING ACCEPTANCE , SUPPORT EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

VMSB will actively promote the improvement of the health of its employees byproviding information on the health risks and other problems related to smoking oftobacco products. Information on the effects of smoking (both active and passive )and advice and help on stopping smoking will be readily available to employees at

regular intervals. In an effort to help individual employees adjust to the changes,the following help will be provided:

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to encourage compliance with the smoke free workplace policy

internal and external signs which will be displayed to reinforce the Smoke FreeWorkplace Policy.

opportunity to attend Smoking Cessation support meetings during lunch timesor evenings will be provided subject to demand and within existing resources

an educational programme to inform employees and visitors about the financialand health impact of smoking for individuals and the National Health Service.

publicity and health promotion information on the health risks and otherproblems related to smoking tobacco products are readily available to helpemployees and visitors stop or reduce smoking.

emphasise this Policy during induction of new employees and in future whilerecruiting employees preference will be given to those employees who do notuse tobacco in any form.

requiring all employees working at VMSB offices to comply with the Policy.

Inform all visitors of the Policy in literature, information booklets and wherebypracticable VMSB publicity.

6. MONITORING AND REVIEW

This Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it continues to meet its key aimsand any changes in legislation, regulations and best practice. The Trade Unionswill be consulted and their comments will be included in any review process.

Comments related to the maintenance of this Policy should be directed to TheGeneral Manager Personnel, who can be contacted by Phone on Ext.136 oremail [email protected]

8. ENDORSEMENTS

Trade Unions:

1. Goa Mining Labour Welfare UnionAffiliated to All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)Velhos Building, 2nd FloorOpp. Municipal GardenPanaji, Goa.

2. Kamgarancho EkvottGurudatt Building, 3rd Floor

Dr. Dada Vaidya RoadPanaji, Goa.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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This Policy is endorsed by the Trade Unions:

Trade Union Comments

Let us make life a creative, meaningful and worth living for and march towardsTobacco Free World.

Christopher FonsecaGeneral Secretary Goa Mining Labour Welfare UnionPanaji, Goa.

Date: 16th September 2008

Our union whole heartedly supports Smoke Free Workplace Policy 2008 of V. M.Salgaocar & Bro. Pvt. Ltd. and extends full support for implementation, awarenessand support those who want to make the workplace free of tobacco.

Subhas Naik JorgePresident Kamgarancho EkvottPanaji, Goa.


9. ENDORSEMENTS

V. M. Salgaocar & Bro. Pvt. Ltd.Salgaocar HouseOff. Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes RaodVasco-da-Gama, Goa 403 802.

This Policy is endorsed by the Management:

VMSB Management Board Comments

The Management is committed to implement the Smoke Free Workplace Policy2008 and extend all the support to actively promote better environment for healthof its employees, visitors and customers.

Shivanand V. Salgaocar Dattaraj V. SalgaocarManaging Director Managing Director

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