A Designated Outdoor Smoking Area (DOSA) is an outdoor area at a club where smoking may be permitted.
Clubs that operate a DOSA must meet obligations under both the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 (NSW), including protecting workers and patrons from exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS).
Your compliance obligations
Clubs operating a DOSA must have key documents in place and readily available, including a WHS policy, WHS consultation arrangements, a Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS), a DOSA risk assessment, and a passive smoking policy.
These documents should be reviewed and updated regularly, and staff should be inducted into them as part of standard WHS training.
Control measures
Clubs must be able to demonstrate appropriate control measures are in place across four areas:
Engineering controls
Such as positive-pressure ventilation, ceiling fans directing air away from enclosed areas, and misting systems that reduce ETS concentration.
Isolation controls
Such as paging or QR-code ordering systems that reduce the need for staff to enter the DOSA, and cleaning schedules timed before patrons arrive.
Administrative controls
Such as clear signage indicating smoking and non-smoking areas, rotating staff rosters to limit ETS exposure, and WHS induction and training.
Design compliance
Architectural or design plans showing the DOSA meets the enclosure requirements under section 12 of the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 and rule 8(2) of the Smoke-Free Environment Regulation 2016 (an area is “substantially enclosed” if its enclosed ceiling and wall surface exceeds 75% of the total notional ceiling and wall area).
Key Document Checklist
Use this checklist to review whether your club has each required document and supporting material readily available, and to identify any gaps to address.
Download the checklist for DOSA inspections below.
Risk Assessment Template
Use this template to assess and document the risks associated with your DOSA, including exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and to record the engineering, isolation, administrative, and PPE controls your club has in place or plans to introduce. It includes a pre-built risk matrix and a hierarchy-of-controls reference guide.
Download the template DOSA risk assessment below.
Passive Smoking Management Policy
Use this template policy to set out your club’s approach to reducing health risks from tobacco smoke and vaping for employees, members, and guests — including smoke-free workplace rules, DOSA management, and control measures to reduce second-hand smoke exposure. Adopting a policy like this satisfies the “Passive Smoking Policy” requirement in the Key Document Checklist above. This is a template — insert your club’s details, policy number, and review date before adopting it.
Download passive smoking policy template below.