Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Denmark (Ratification: 1978)

The Committee takes note of the information supplied in the Government's report in reply to its earlier comment, particularly in regard to Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3, of the Convention.

Article 2, paragraph 2. The Committee notes with interest from the Government's report that provisions concerning the reduction in the number of persons working with carcinogenic substances, as well as the duration and level of exposure, are being considered in connection with a general order concerning work with carcinogenic substances which is presently being negotiated between the National Labour Inspection and representative organisations of employers and workers. The Committee hopes that the next report will indicate the progress made in this regard.

Article 3. The Committee notes that the product register set up under Order No. 466 of 14 September 1981 does not contain data on the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents. It would be glad if the Government would indicate whether it is envisaged - possibly in the framework of the general order mentioned above - to establish a system of national register with the object of recording data on occupationally exposed persons, the results of technical monitoring, and special medical examinations and laboratory tests performed on these workers. (In this connection, see ILO: "Occupational cancer: Prevention and control", second (revised) edition 1988, Occupational Safety and Health Series, No. 39, p. 48.)

Article 5. The Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government and expresses the hope that measures will be taken in the near future in order to ensure that suitable medical examinations will be provided for workers exposed to carcinogenic substances generally. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the progress made in this regard in its next report.

Point IV of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report any statistics which might be available concerning the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of infractions reported and the number, nature and cause of cases of disease.