The risks to health from a complex chemical mixture such as ETS are hard to establish through epidemiological studies or experiments. As a result no occupational exposure standard has been established for it. This makes ETS different from many other chemicals in the workplace. It also makes it more difficult to establish appropriate controls. Resolving concerns about ETS Concerns about ETS in the workplace should be resolved in the same way as other occupational safety and health issues.
Some workplaces have an agreed procedure for resolving safety and health issues.
If there isn't one, a default procedure is provided in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. Employers are required to consult Safety and Health Representatives, if there are any, and if not, directly with employees. Employees with concerns about ETS should approach the employer or the Safety and Health Representative. Nothing in either set of regulations limits an employer's general duty of care to provide, so far as is practicable, a workplace where employees are not exposed to hazards. ETS is a hazard and there is a requirement for employers to reduce exposure to the extent that it is practicable.