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A Government representative, Vice-Minister of Labour, referring to the prevention and control of occupational risks caused by carcinogenic substances or agents, noted the comments of the Committee of Experts regarding the elaboration and adoption as soon as possible of the study on the prevention and control of occupational cancer. In the absence of an organisation or arrangements with a governmental or private organisation that would carry out more effective control over the risks to which certain industrial workers were exposed, the Ministry of Labour, through its occupational health and safety inspectorate-general, had prepared as a temporary measure a project for the protection of workers exposed to dangerous substances. Furthermore, joint actions would be taken to deal with this problem in cooperation with the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases, the National Institute of Occupational Health, and the Peruvian Institute of Social Security, the Pan-American Organisation of Health and non-governmental organisations. These measures would be included in the corresponding sectoral programmes. Due to the peculiar health situation prevailing in his country, the competent bodies had been engaged in fighting outbreaks like cholera. Currently they were trying to implement the study on the prevention and control of occupational cancer published by the ILO to which the Committee of Experts had made reference in its observations.
The Employers' members expressed their surprise that 16 years after its ratification the Government was setting up an inter-agency committee to draft laws to implement the Convention. They felt that this as well as the idea of conducting a study on the subject at this stage were steps, backwards. At present, there was a need for drafting the necessary legislation using as a guide the ILO's study referred to by the Experts. Given the fact that this Convention is not a self-executing instrument, it was necessary to prepare and adopt legislation based on the above-mentioned ILO study which could be done with the technical assistance of the ILO.
The Workers' members shared the views expressed by the Employers' members. They considered this Convention to be an important one in today's world. They regretted to note that Peru has not taken steps to implement this Convention since its ratification in 1976. It was not sufficient for the Government to make inquiries of the two institutes on information concerning the application of the Convention. They recalled that the Committee of Experts has for several years been requesting the adoption of specific provisions to prevent and control occupational cancer. They urged the Government to take immediate action in this regard and encouraged it to seek the assistance of the Office for this purpose.
The Government representative stated in reply that, contrary to the understanding expressed by certain speakers, his Government was not about to conduct a study at this stage. He said it was proposing to implement a study which already exists. He believed that his Government will succeed in resolving these problems that have lasted many years with the assistance of this Committee, the Committee of Experts and the ILO. He also made reference to the possibility of his Government requesting technical or financial assistance from the ILO regarding the programmes that concern matters of this Convention.
The Committee noted with regret that no progress seems to have been made in the application of this Convention which has been examined by the Committee of Experts for several years. It considered that it was high time for taking immediate action and reminded the Government that the ILO's technical assistance was not limited to the legislative aspects of the question but includes matters relating to the implementation of the Convention. It urged the Government to bring the situation in Peru into conformity with the Convention as soon as possible.
Previous comments: C.62, C.127, C.139 and C.176
Previous comment
The Committee refers the Government to its observation and asks it to provide information on the following points.
The Committee notes the attachments sent including the Occupational Health Handbook, published in 2005 by the Directorate General of Environmental Health, the Module on Safety and Health at Work and the Health at Work Strategy, published by the Institute of Trade Union Studies. Furthermore, it notes with interest the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation, approved by Supreme Decree No. 009-2005-TR and amended by Supreme Decree No. 007-2007-TR, which establish the foundations for the national occupational safety and health policy. Pointing out that the key occupational safety and health Conventions are the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and its Protocol of 2002, and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), and noting that Supreme Decree No. 007-2007-TR appears to facilitate application of these Conventions, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that under the Plan of Action (2010–16) to achieve widespread ratification and effective implementation of these three instruments, it may seek technical assistance from the Office should it see fit, and asks the Government to provide information on all developments in this regard.
Article 2 of the Convention. Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by non-carcinogenic substances or agents or by less harmful substances or agents. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that, according to the Government, in 2005 the Occupational Health Directorate prepared a proposal for the prohibition of asbestos and a bill on the same subject was debated by Congress. Both instruments are being reviewed. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on all developments in this regard.
Article 6(c) and Part IV of the report form. Work by the inspection services to ensure application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information sent by the Government on the conveyance of information to workers, consultations held with workers and related publications such as the outline of the project on the prevention and control of occupational cancer. Noting that the information supplied on inspection work does not refer specifically to the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide practical information, including extracts from inspection reports, that is related to the provisions of this Convention. It would also be grateful if the Government would provide further information on the outline of the project on the prevention and control of occupational cancer, referred to in its report.
Article 1(1) and (3) of the Convention. Periodic determination of carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. In its previous comments, the Committee pointed out that the prohibition, authorization and control of substances and agents that are periodically determined to be carcinogenic to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or controlled are very important aspects of the application of the Convention, and noted that the Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion and the Ministry of Health had established the Occupational Cancer Prevention and Control Commission. It expressed the hope that the Government would, in the near future, complete the process of determining the carcinogenic substances and agents to which exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorizational control, and asked the Government to provide information on progress made in this respect. The Committee notes with satisfaction Supreme Decree No. 15-2005-SA approving the Regulation on maximum permissible values for chemical agents in the workplace, and repealing Supreme Decree No. 025-75-SA on the grounds that its coverage was limited because it omitted certain chemicals currently in use. The Regulation applies countrywide and covers all areas of work involving the use of chemical or carcinogenic agents or substances which may present risks and/or be harmful to the health and safety of workers. The values must be applied by professionals who are well versed in occupational safety and health issues. The Committee asks the Government to specify how often and in what manner it determines and updates the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control, and those to which other provisions of this Convention apply.
Article 3. Establishment of a system of records. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, the National Centre for Occupational Health and Environmental Protection for Health which reports to the National Health Institute, has been conducting occupational medical assessments since 2003 though it keeps no occupational cancer records. Furthermore, technical guidelines have been produced – jointly by public and private entities – for medical diagnosis in occupational health and they include guidance on the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis (silicosis, asbestosis and other forms) and are awaiting approval. The Government also refers to other measures. However, the Committee again notes that the country has not as yet any system for recording cases of occupational cancer and/or occupational diseases. It again reminds the Government that this Article of the Convention requires the establishment of an appropriate system of records, and asks the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that such a system is established in the near future and to provide detailed information on any developments in this regard.
Communication from the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP). The Committee notes the comments of the CGTP sent by the Government with its report in 2009. Noting that the comments appear not to be directly related to this Convention the Committee suggests that the CGTP, should it see fit, provide information on the manner in which its comments relate to the provisions of this Convention.
The Committee raises other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.
1. Further to its observation, the Committee notes that a draft General Labour Act has been formulated containing a section on occupational safety and health, which has been sent to the Office with a view to receiving comments on the text.
2. Article 2 of the Convention. Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by non-carcinogenic substances or agents or by less harmful substances or agents. The Committee notes that section 8 of the Regulations on the permissible limits for chemical agents in the working environment establishes measures to prevent risks, guarantee the protection of workers’ health and undertake controls of the environment at workplaces. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether one of the measures taken includes the replacement required by this Article of the Convention and to indicate the provisions which provide the legislative basis for such replacement.
3. Article 5. Medical examinations. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the Regulations on safety and health in mining, Supreme Decree No. 046-2001-EM, section 24(n), which establishes the obligation to introduce and ensure that all workers undergo pre-employment, annual and retirement medical examinations. It also notes that the draft Regulations on occupational safety and health also establish the same obligation. Recalling that, in accordance with this Article of the Convention, measures have to be taken to ensure that workers are provided with such medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations during the period of employment and thereafter as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health in relation to occupational hazards, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the text referred to establishes the obligation to carry out the medical examinations provided for in this Article and requests the Government to provide a copy of the text with its next report when it has been adopted.
4. Article 6(c) and Part IV of the report form. Activities of the inspection services for the purpose of supervising the application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that the National Health Institute, through the Centre for Occupational Health and Protection of the Environment for Health, undertakes advisory missions, courses, workshops and assessments of occupational health, based on the method of recognition, assessment and control, both in medical evaluations and in evaluation studies in work centres, on the basis of which preventive occupational safety, health and hygiene measures are identified that are to be adopted in work centres. It also notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion is currently undertaking general occupational safety and health inspections, but does not carry out specific inspections to give effect to the precise requirements of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that appropriate inspection services are provided with a view to giving full effect to the provisions of the Convention and requests it to provide information on any progress achieved in this respect.
1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report.
2. Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention. Periodic determination of the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that for many years it has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to take measures to determine periodically the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or authorized or controlled by a special body. The Committee notes that the Government, according to its last report, has not undertaken a revision of the schedule to Supreme Decree No. 007-93-TR determining carcinogenic and co‑carcinogenic substances and agents. It also notes the Government’s reference to ministerial resolution No. 243-2005/MINSA of 22 March 2005, through which the Ministry of Health published on its web site draft amendments to the permissible limit values for chemical agents in the working environment, approved by Supreme Decree No. 0258-75-SA, indicating that schedule II to the above document contains permissible limit values for carcinogenic chemical agents in the working environment and that schedule III includes the list of carcinogenic chemical agents with which contact shall be avoided. Noting that the prohibition, authorization and control of substances and agents that are periodically determined is a very important aspect of the application of the Convention, and that the Ministries of Labour and Employment Promotion and of Health have established the Occupational Cancer Prevention and Control Commission, the Committee hopes that the Government will, in the near future, complete the process of determining the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control, and it requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in this respect.
3. Article 3. Establishment of a system of records. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, there is no system in the country for the recording of cases of occupational cancer and/or occupational diseases and that the National Health Institute nevertheless registers occupational diseases when medical assessments are undertaken in work centres or when workers undergo occupational medical assessment. The Committee recalls that, in accordance with this Article, an appropriate system of records has to be established and it trusts that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure the existence of such a system in the near future. It requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in this respect.
4. The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on other matters.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes the reference to regulation 5 of the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Cancer enacted as Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM of 11 June 1993. Regulation 5 lays down some of the obligations of employers, particularly that of assessing the risks to which workers may be exposed. The Committee recalls that the requirement set forth in Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention concerns the periodical determination of the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure must be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. This obligation lies specifically with the Government. The Committee therefore again asks the Government to state whether the annex to Supreme Decree No. 007-93-TR establishing the list of carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic substances and agents, has been reviewed by the National Health Institute, as prescribed by section 22 of Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM, and to indicate the sources of information used in the review.
Article 3. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in response to the previous direct request, concerning the particulars that employers must submit to the National Health Institute pursuant to section 12 of Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM. The Committee also notes document No. 502-001-TR/OAJ sent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to the National Health Institute seeking information on the application in practice of the periodical check-ups of workers exposed to carcinogenic agents. The Committee recalls that Article 3 of the Convention requires an appropriate system of records to be set up by the Government. It asks the Government to provide information on the existence of such a system, indicating the number and nature of the diseases recorded, their causes and any contraventions reported. The Committee also asks the Government to provide a copy of the report it is to receive from the National Health Institute in response to the instructions sent by the Ministry.
Article 5. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous direct request. The Committee recalls that this Article of the Convention requires workers to be provided with such medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations during the period of employment and thereafter as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health in relation to occupational hazards. While noting the duties assigned to the National Health Institute, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the obligation to carry out the medical examinations prescribed by this Article is established in any law or regulation.
Article 6, paragraphs (a) and (c), and Part IV of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to specify the appropriate inspection services provided for the purpose of supervising the application of the Convention, or to indicate how it satisfies itself that appropriate inspection is carried out, in accordance with paragraph (c) of Article 6. The Committee also requests the Government to provide samples of reports showing how the obligations imposed on employers by sections 5 to 16 of Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM are supervised and to indicate the penalties for failure by employers to comply with these obligations.
The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government in its report.
Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes the reference to regulation 5 of the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Cancer enacted as Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM of 11 June 1993. Regulation 5 lays down some of the obligations of employers, particularly that of assessing the risks to which workers may be exposed. The Committee recalls that the requirement set forth in Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention concerns the periodical determination of the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure must be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. This obligation lies specifically with the Government. The Committee therefore again asks the Government to state whether the annex to Supreme Decree No. 007-93-TR establishing the list of carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic substances and agencies, has been reviewed by the National Health Institute, as prescribed by section 22 of Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM, and to indicate the sources of information used in the review.
Article 6, paragraph (a) and (c), and Part IV of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to specify the appropriate inspection services provided for the purpose of supervising the application of the Convention, or to indicate how it satisfies itself that appropriate inspection is carried out, in accordance with paragraph (c) of Article 6. The Committee also requests the Government to provide samples of reports showing how the obligations imposed on employers by sections 5 to 16 of Supreme Decree No. 039-93-PCM are supervised and to indicate the penalties for failure by employers to comply with these obligations.
1. Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention. The Committee notes that Supreme Decree No. 89-93-PCM, amended by Supreme Decree No. 007-93-TR, includes as an annex a list of carcinogenic substances and agents and that by virtue of section 22 of the Decree, the National Institute of Health determines periodically the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure is prohibited or subject to authorization or control. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its future reports the periodic determinations carried out, in the light of the information referred to in paragraph 3 of this article of the Convention.
2. Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee notes that under section 19 of Decree No. 89-93-PCM, the Ministry of Health, through the National Institute of Health, is responsible for monitoring the periodic evaluation of workers exposed. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on how this monitoring is conducted. It recalls that under this article of the Convention, measures must be taken to ensure that workers are provided with such medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations during the period of employment and thereafter as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health.
3. Article 3 and part IV of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the application in practice of the Convention and particularly information on the data which employers must provide to the National Institute of Health under section 12 of the Decree, relating specifically to the activities and procedures applied, the reasons for the use and production of carcinogenic substances, the number of workers exposed, the degree of exposure and prevention measures. It also requests to indicate the number and nature of violations recorded and diseases registered, as well as the cause of the diseases.
With reference to the comments it has been making for many years, the Committee notes with satisfaction Supreme Decree No. 089-93-PCM, as amended by Supreme Decree No. 007-93-TR, issuing regulations on the prevention and control of occupational cancer.
1. In comments it has been making for several years, the Committee has noted that no specific provisions to prevent and control cancer have been adopted since the Convention was ratified.
The Committee notes with regret that, according to the information supplied by the Government in its report, no significant results have been reached by the public agencies working group which was to propose legal measures to give effect to the Convention. It notes that, according to the information supplied by the Government, the General Directorate of inspection and occupational safety and health has been entrusted with drafting legislation to protect workers exposed to dangerous substances and recalls that States which have ratified the Convention are required, under most of its provisions, to take specific legal or technical measures concerning occupational cancer. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to the study on the prevention and control of occupational cancer, published by the ILO, which can serve as a guide in implementing the principles of the Convention and hopes that the necessary measures will be taken to protect workers against the risks of exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents as called for by the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate any progress made in this regard.
2. The Committee notes that the Government has requested information concerning the application of the Convention from the National Institute of Neoplasic Diseases in connection with the National Institute of Occupational Health which it intends to transmit upon receipt. The Committee hopes that the Government will therefore furnish detailed information on the practical activities of these two Institutes in the area of occupational cancer prevention and control.
1. The Committee notes from the Government's report that a working group made up of the Ministers of Labour, Health and the Peruvian Institute of Social Security is to be established in order to draft a decree to incorporate cancer within the scope of the regulations to the Act on occupational accidents and diseases (D.L. 18846). The Committee hopes that the most representative organisations of employers and workers concerned will be consulted in conformity with Article 6 of the Convention and that the Government will provide a copy of the text when adopted.
2. The Committee recalls that special measures for the prevention and control of occupational cancer must be taken in order to ensure application of the provisions of the Convention. They should provide, among other things, for (a) the replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by less harmful substances or agents and the reduction to the minimum, of the number of workers exposed and the duration and degree of exposure (Article 2); (b) the obligation to protect workers against the risks of exposure by collecting the necessary data and informing the persons concerned accordingly (Articles 3 and 4); and (c) the obligation to submit workers exposed to this risk to medical examinations or biological or other tests, during and after their employment, with a view to evaluating their exposure and protecting their health (Article 5).
The Committee again expresses the hope that the Government will not fail to take the measures called for by the Convention and that in its next report it will indicate the progress made in this connection. Please also supply information on the practical application of the Convention mentioned in Point V of the report form adopted by the Governing Body of the ILO.