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Scent Policy

Policy Statement

The use of scented products in government workplaces is to be avoided to provide employees, clients and visitors with a healthy and safe environment.
 

Application

This policy applies to all employees. Bargaining unit employees should also consult their respective collective agreements.

Definitions

scented products

products that have, or may have, a detrimental effect upon the health of other persons and may include, but is not limited to, cosmetic products (e.g., perfumes, aftershaves, colognes, shampoos and conditioners, soaps, body lotions, deodorants, etc) and other products (e.g., air fresheners and deodorizers, candles, potpourri, essential oils, some laundry detergents, fabric softeners and cleaning products, etc)

fragrance-free or unscented products

products that contain no fragrances or masking agents that hide the scents of other ingredients

Responsibilities

Department

It is the responsibility of individual departments and central agencies to communicate and implement this policy to provide a healthy and safe environment for employees, clients and visitors.

Employee

It is the responsibility of employees to support a healthy and safe work environment as outlined by this policy.

General Conditions

Scented products are to be avoided in government workplaces. This policy is in effect 24 hours a day.

Where a department shares a building with other employers or individuals who are not subject to this policy, the department must still apply the policy to their own workplaces and take all reasonable and practical measures to minimize the effects of scents on their own employees who must work in these locations.

Wherever possible, workplaces will be required to find and use environmentally friendly and fragrance free or unscented products. Employees are to avoid wearing scented products in the workplace.

Wherever possible, workplaces will be required to schedule major cleaning, renovation and construction jobs for when the least number of individuals are present in government workplaces.

Departments will take appropriate action to inform clients and visitors of this policy and to ensure that conditions of this policy are implemented and enforced.

Duty to Accommodate

Employees who suffer from medically diagnosed sensitivities to scented products will be accommodated as per relevant health and human rights legislation. Measures may include, but are not limited to, the posting of signs indicating a scent-free zone in the immediate work area of the affected employee.

Exceptions

Exceptions can be made for work sites that require the use of specialized industrial products, such as solvents, fuels, lubricants, asphalt mixes, etc. In those types of work environments, substances such as chemical vapours, volatile organic compounds, infectious agents and other hazardous materials should be addressed through the application of engineering controls, administrative controls, infection control policies and relevant labour legislation and regulations.

Requests for individual exceptions (i.e., for employees, clients or visitors) to this policy may be approved in extenuating circumstances, subject to the review and approval of the Deputy Minister.

• Scent Policy Poster #1 (302 KB)
• Scent Policy Poster #2 (326 KB)
• Scent Policy Poster #3 (275 KB)

Approved: March 19, 2009
Reference: TBM 2009-127

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