Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 1996, Publicación: 85ª reunión CIT (1997)

The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report in reply to its previous comments as well as the adoption of Mexican Official Standard NOM-023-STPS-1993 concerning safety features and appliances for lifting equipment in work centres.

1. In its previous comments, the Committee drew the Government's attention to the need to take appropriate measures, in compliance with Article 4, paragraph 2(d) (in conjunction with Article 16, paragraph 2), of the Convention in order to guarantee workers' safety when they are transported on land. Since the Government has not supplied any new information on this matter in its latest report, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted or contemplated to give effect to this provision of the Convention.

2. With reference to its previous comments on measures taken or envisaged in conformity with Article 4, paragraph 2(h) (in conjunction with Article 27, paragraph 3, and Article 28), concerning rigging and use of ships' derricks and the carrying of rigging plans on ships, the Committee notes that no new information has been supplied in the Government's latest report. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on progress in this respect.

3. Articles 22 and 24. The Committee has taken note of Official Mexican Standard NOM-023-STPS-1993 concerning safety features and appliances for lifting equipment in work centres to which the Government refers in its latest report. Since this text contains provisions only on the requirements for the employer and the worker, the requirements in the operations' sphere and some safety features and appliances, the Committee requests the Government to indicate what measures give effect to Article 22, paragraph 1 (every lifting appliance and every item of loose gear shall be tested after any substantial alteration or repair to any part liable to affect its safety), paragraph 2 (lifting appliances forming part of a ship's equipment shall be retested at least once in every five years), paragraph 3 (shore-based lifting appliances shall be retested periodically as prescribed by the competent authority), paragraph 4 (upon the completion of every test, the lifting appliance or item of loose gear shall be thoroughly examined), as well as Article 24, paragraph 1 (prohibition of the reuse of expendable or disposable slings; in the case of pre-slung cargoes, the slings shall be inspected as frequently as is reasonably practicable).

4. Article 25. The Committee notes the references to various provisions of the General Regulations on Safety and Health at Work and to a provision of Mexican Official Standard NOM-023-STPS-1993, mentioned above, which give effect to the various provisions of the Convention. Since no information is supplied in the Government's latest report in reply to its previous comments, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures ensuring application of paragraph 1 (specification of the safe working load and the dates and results of the tests carried out on the lifting appliances and items of loose gear) and paragraph 2 (obligation to keep a register of the lifting appliances and items of loose gear, account being taken of the model recommended by the ILO).

5. Article 31. The Committee notes that no new information in reply to the questions raised in its previous comments has been supplied in the Government's latest report. The Committee expresses the hope that in the near future measures will be taken to adopt appropriate measures on the functioning of freight container terminals and the means to be provided in the case of ships carrying containers to ensure the safety of workers lashing or unlashing containers. The Committee requests the Government to indicate progress made to this end.

6. The Committee notes the information on the number of people engaged in water transport companies and the number of subscribers to the Mexican Social Security Institute who are engaged in fishing and transport by water. The Committee would be very grateful if the Government would supply extracts from the inspection service reports and indicate, the number and nature of offences reported and the measures taken as a result of them as well as the number of occupational accidents and diseases reported (point V of the report form) in order to facilitate general assessment of the way in which the Convention is applied.