manual: women workers' rights and gender equality - International ...

For the non-smoker:
Environmental tobacco smoke contains the same carcinogens and toxic chemicals that smokers
inhale. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of cancer, heart diseases,
strokes, emphysema, pulmonary infections and osteoporosis. There is no safe level of exposure to
environmental tobacco smoke.
At work:
Tobacco smoke increases the risk of occupational diseases in coal mining, and working with
pesticides, rubber and petroleum and cotton and wood dusts. Tobacco smoke aggravates the
impact of asbestos, ethanol, silica, radiation, cadmium and arsenic. Smoking and exposure to
environmental tobacco smoke have a negative impact on productivity and increase sick leave,
insurance costs, accidents and risk of fire while decreasing worker morale.
What measures can be taken to reduce the risk?
Effective measures to reduce the risks of exposure to smoking are often at no or little cost and may
include:
• Obtaining information from local or national organizations about the dangers of smoking and of
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and distributing this information to all workers.
• Elimination the exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke.
• Banning smoking at work
• If necessary, identifying specific enclosed and separately ventilated areas where workers can
go to smoke and to which non-smokers do not need access.
Alcohol and drugs
Alcohol and drugs – what is it?
The use of alcohol and drugs can threaten the health and safety of workers, of co-workers, and of
the general public. While certain work-related characteristics such as shift work, travel away from
home and stress and boredom may increase the use of alcohol and drugs, the work culture and
availability of alcohol and drugs at work are also significant factors which can increase or decrease
the use of these substances.
Alcohol and drugs – who is at risk?
Workers who use alcohol and drugs are at greater risk of health and safety problems at work and
at home. Co-workers and the general public who come into contact with a worker under influence
of alcohol and/or drugs are also at increased risk of injury.
Is the issue of alcohol and drugs a gender issue?
While fewer women than men drink, women become more intoxicated than men after drinking the
same amount of alcohol, even when differences in body weight are taken into account. In addition,
chronic alcohol abuse takes a heavier physical toll on women than on men.
What are the results of using alcohol and/or drugs at work?
For the individual:
The use of alcohol can cause liver damage, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, stomach
ailments, diseases of the central nervous system and irreversible brain damage. The use of drugs
can cause elevated heart rate and blood pressure, respiratory failure, convulsions, cardiovascular
problems including strokes and heart attacks, certain forms of cancer and liver and kidney
impairment. Alcohol and drugs can also decrease concentration and coordination and result in
altered perceptions and emotions.
154