Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) - Madagascar (Ratification: 1964)

Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. In the comments it has been making for a number of years, the Committee has observed that Order No. 889 of 20 May 1960 contains, in sections 44 to 58, detailed provisions on the guarding of machinery, but that these provisions are applicable only to the use of the machinery and therefore have a more restricted scope than the provisions of the Convention. This instrument prohibits the sale, hire, transfer in any other manner and exhibition of machinery of which the dangerous parts specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the same Article are without appropriate guards. The Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to give full effect to the Convention on this point.

In its last report, the Government states that sections 55 to 58 of Order No. 889 lie within the terms of the Convention since they prohibit the employer from using machinery on which the dangerous parts are not protected and which have not been formally approved. The Government adds that, by extension, the prohibition of the sale, hire or transfer of this machinery may be deduced; however, a draft Order to amend or supplement Order No. 889 of 20 May 1960 is under examination by the Directorate of Labour and the new text will take into account the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee refers to paragraphs 55 to 63 of its 1987 General Survey on Safety in the Working Environment, in which it emphasised that "a mere prohibition of the use of inadequately guarded machinery cannot ... be considered as obviating the need to apply the requirements of Part II of the Convention concerning its sale, hire and transfer" (paragraph 62), and that "the prohibitions laid down in the Convention apply not only to the initial sale but also to subsequent sales by agents and to the hire, transfer and exhibition of unguarded machines, whether new or reconditioned" (paragraph 70).

The Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to give full effect to the Convention.