Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Belize (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its latest report.

1. Article 3, paragraph 1, and Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention. In its 1992 general observation and in its previous comments, the Committee drew attention to the revised exposure limits adopted on the basis of new physiological findings by the International Commission on Radiation Protection in its 1990 recommendations (ICRP publication No. 60), and noted that the dose limits of exposure to ionizing radiations set out in the United Kingdom Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons against Radiation arising from Medical and Dental Use, 1964, are no longer tolerable to the international community. The Committee notes from the report of the Government that no measures have been taken to review these dose limits. It requests the Government to indicate in its next report the steps taken or being considered to ensure effective protection of workers against ionizing radiation and to review maximum permissible doses of ionizing radiations in the light of current knowledge as embodied in the 1990 ICRP recommendations and the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources.

2. Article 10. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that there have been no notifications of work involving exposure of workers to ionizing radiations other than of work involving such exposure for medical or dental purposes. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government supply information on any other activities undertaken in the future which might involve occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and on any measures taken in conformity with Articles 2(1) and 3 of the Convention to regulate these activities.

3. Emergency exposure situations and provision of alternative employment. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the steps taken or being considered in relation to the matters raised in paragraphs 35(c) and (d) of the conclusions to its 1992 general observation.