Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report and notes with interest the adoption of Decree No. 11802 of 30 January 2004 organizing prevention and occupational safety and health in all workplaces covered by the Labour Code. It requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

2. Article 4(1) of the Convention. Prohibition of the use of benzene. The Committee notes the indications contained in the Government’s report that it intends to collect information concerning this Article. The Committee requests the Government to indicate and provide copies of national laws and regulations specifying the work processes in which the use of benzene and of products containing benzene is prohibited.

3. Article 5. Implementation of occupational hygiene and technical measures. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report referring to Ordinance No. 52/1 of 29 July 1996 setting exposure limit values for benzene in the workplace. However, it makes no reference to the other occupational hygiene and technical measures that are to be taken to ensure effective protection of workers exposed to benzene or to products containing benzene. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to give full effect to this Article.

4. Article 13. Appropriate instructions on prevention measures. The Committee notes the indications in the Government’s report that it would be useful and necessary to organize seminars and tripartite meetings to discuss these issues, but that tangible measures to give effect to this Article do not appear to have been taken. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to ensure that workers exposed to benzene receive appropriate instructions on measures to safeguard health and prevent accidents, as well as on the appropriate action if there is any evidence of poisoning.

5. Part IV of the report form. Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to provide any information available on the application of the Convention in practice including extracts from the reports of inspection services and information on the number of employed persons covered by the measures adopted to give effect to the Convention and on the number and nature of the contraventions reported.