Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Guyana (Ratification: 1983)

The Commmittee notes with regret the indication in the Government's report that no progress has been made since its last report received in 1989.

1. In comments it has been making since 1988, the Committee noted that only ionizing radiations from medical and dental use had been subject to control, and that no other carcinogenic substance had been prohibited or made subject to control. However, the Government indicated in 1988 that the occupational health and safety sector of the Ministry of Labour was being restructured, that consultations were taking place on a repeal and re-enactment of the Factories Act and that with the completion of this exercise it was hoped that other areas of occupational exposure would be covered by control and supervision.

The Committee once again requests the Government to supply details concerning the restructuring, its effect on the application of the Convention, as well as developments concerning the repeal and re-enactment of the Factories Act.

In this connection, the Committee urges the Government to ensure that the necessary steps are taken in consultation with the most representative organizations of workers and employers concerned, as required by Article 6(a) of the Convention to ensure the application of the following provisions of the Convention: Article 1, paragraph 1 (determination of carcinogenic substances or agents to which occupational exposure is prohibited or made subject to authorization or control); Article 2 (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 level and duration of exposure); Article 3 (the protection of workers against the risks of exposure and establishment of an appropriate system of records); Article 4 (information to be provided to workers on the dangers involved and the measures to be taken); and Article 5 (medical examinations and biological and other tests and investigations for exposed workers).

The Committee once again expresses the hope that the Government will now report progress made in this regard.

2. In its previous comments, the Committee also had referred to additional measures to be taken in respect of ionizing radiations for medical and dental use to give effect to Article 1, paragraph 3 and Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee noted from the Government's report for 1989 that no progress had been made in these fields. It again expresses the hope that the Government will soon be in a position to report progress in applying the 1978 revised United Kingdom Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons against Ionising Radiations from Medical and Dental Use, and in ensuring that workers shall be provided with medical examinations during the period of their employment and thereafter as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and the state of their health in relation to the occupational hazards. On this point, the Committee would also refer the Government to its general observation for 1992 under this Convention.