Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1987, published 74th ILC session (1987)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Djibouti (Ratification: 1978)

The Committee notes from the Government's reply to its previous request that the risk due to the use of X-rays continues to be the only risk of exposure to radiation in Djibouti. It hopes that the Government will continue in forthcoming reports to provide information on any developments occurring in this regard.

Article 3, paragraph 1, and Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes that the maximum permissible dose levels of ionising radiations have not been reviewed recently. It hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to keep those limits under constant review, in light of current knowledge, as required by these provisions of the Convention, and that the next report will indicate any modifications which may have been made as a result.

Article 7, paragraphs 1(b) and 2. The Committee notes the Government's statement that apart from work in medical institutions, there is no risk exposing workers to radiations in Djibouti and that therefore, no child under 18 years of age is assigned to work involving exposure to ionising radiations. The Committee would point out that there are no provisions in Order No. 1010/SG/CG of 3 July 1968 concerning the protection of workers against radiation in hospitals and health-care institutions, or in Order No. 786 of 17 June 1955 on employment of children or in Order No. 72-60/SG/CG of 12 January 1972 on occupational medicine, prohibiting the employment of children under 18 or 16 years of age in radiation work and/or fixing maximum permissible doses for workers between 16 and 18 who are directly engaged in radiation work as required by Article 7, paragraphs 1(b) and 2, of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the next report will indicate the measures taken or envisaged to introduce such provisions.

Article 11. The Committee notes that the Government's report does not directly respond to its previous request concerning the application of this Article of the Convention. It requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure the monitoring of workers covered by Order No. 1010/SG/CG, in order to measure their exposure to ionising radiations with a view to ascertaining that applicable dose levels are respected. Such measures might be effected by films, dosemeters or other suitable means, as suggested in paragraph 17(2) of the Radiation Protection Recommendation, 1960 (No. 114).

Article 13. The Committee requests the Government, in its future reports, to provide information on the adoption of special measures which apply this provision of the Convention (remedial action to be taken in the case of an emergency and notification to the competent authority).