ETS is a hazard and there is a requirement for employers to reduce exposure to the extent that it is practicable. The term practicable is defined in the Occupational Safety and Health Act . It involves considering issues such as the severity of any potential harm to health, what is known about the risks and the means of reducing those risks. It also involves considering the availability, suitability and cost of the measures required to reduce risk. In a practical sense employers need to carry out a risk assessment and reduce exposure to ETS by applying one or more of the following control measures.
Elimination is the most effective means of reducing exposure.
This requires a smoke free workplace. ETS is known to contain carcinogens and there is no established level below which exposure is considered to be 'safe'. Elimination is therefore an option that must be considered seriously. Engineering controls such as mechanical ventilation can be used to reduce exposure by removing contaminants from the workplace. This may reduce exposure but will not eliminate it completely.