Implications for Peripatetic Workers

Peripatetic working relates to employees who are required to visit premises away from the organisational workplace, whilst undertaking their duties.  This part of the policy relates to peripatetic working within people’s homes or any other premises.

Managers are required to include consideration of vaping and associated vapour when they undertake risk assessments of peripatetic workers required to enter non-Council premises.

Employees must not vape whilst visiting residents in their own homes.  Residents are entitled to expect that their own home environment will not be contaminated by the smell of vapours.

When entering a home where employees are exposed to smoking or vaping, employees are expected to make reasonable attempts to reduce their exposure by adopting one or more of the following strategies:

• Consider whether or not the work could be undertaken in an alternative location away or at a later date/time.
• Request that the premises be ventilated before/during the visit.
• Where possible, inform the client of the council’s policy in advance and request their co-operation in refraining from vaping whilst employee(s) are in attendance.
• Vaping clients will, wherever possible, be requested not to vape whilst our staff are present. This should form part of the agreed care plan.

Employees however, must not put themselves at risk in applying this policy.  Advice from the Line Manager should be sought if application of the policy poses any further risk.

In extreme circumstances care may be withdrawn from clients whose vaping creates a risk to employees.