Smoking a problem for occupational health nurses

Smoking a problem for occupational health nurses

Occupational health (OH) nurses responsible for staff in nursing homes face a dilemma on managing the risks of passive smoking following a test court case.
In the first case of its kind, a nurse who has never smoked is claiming damages against a private old people’s home in Manchester, England.
Sylvia Sparrow alleges that inhaling smoke in the residents lounge gave her asthma, to the extent that she was forced to give up work as a nurse. Legal experts say a successful outcome is likely to lead to many other claims. A ruling from Manchester High Court was due as Occupational Health went to press.
The Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) Society of Occupational Health Nursing chairwoman Kit Artus said OH practitioners face a moral dilemma. ‘The people in these homes are lifelong addicts, and OH nurses already do what they can to encourage staff as well as residents to try to stop smoking,’ she said.
Artus argues that OH staff can only be as effective as management will allow. ‘They can give advice on providing a safe place of work but it is the duty of the employer to ensure any staff are told of possible hazards, so that they can make an informed decision before taking up employment,’ she said.
Sparrow has not worked since February 1992 and, backed by the RCN, is suing St Andrew’s Homes for failing to provide a safe place to work, and is claiming for injury and loss of earnings.

www.rajagiriworld.com

[IMG]http://www.rajagiriworld.com/happy.gif[/IMG]