Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Cyprus (Ratification: 1992)

The Committee notes with interest the information provided in the Government's first report and requests the Government to provide further clarification on the following points:

Article 3, paragraph 4, of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the specific precautions taken to protect workers' health when the competent authority permits derogations from the provisions of the Asbestos (Safety and Health of Persons at Work) Law 1993, No. 23(1) and the Asbestos (Safety and Health of Persons at Work) Regulations of 1993.

Article 6, paragraph 3. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that employers, in cooperation with the occupational safety and health services, and after consultation with the workers' representatives concerned, prepare procedures for dealing with emergency situations.

Article 10(a). The Committee notes that section 4 of the Asbestos Law empowers the Council of Ministers to issue regulations prohibiting the use at work of any or all forms of asbestos. The Committee requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged to provide also for the replacement of asbestos, where necessary to protect the health of workers and where technically practicable, by other products scientifically evaluated as harmless or less harmful, whenever this is possible.

Article 11, paragraph 2. The Committee notes that a permit may be granted for the use of crocidolite in certain manufacturing process and that these exceptions have been discussed with and agreed by the representative organizations of workers and employers. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the steps taken to ensure that the health of workers is not placed at risk.

Article 12. The Committee notes that the Government's report states that spraying is prohibited only for crocidolite and that asbestos spraying is not a method practised in Cyprus. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that spraying of all forms of asbestos is prohibited.

Article 15, paragraph 4. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that such equipment is used only as a supplementary, temporary, emergency or exceptional measure and not as an alternative to technical control.

Article 17, paragraph 3. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the workers or their representatives are consulted on the work plan specifying the measures to be taken before commencing demolition work.

Article 18, paragraph 2. The Committee notes that Regulation 10 of the Asbestos Regulations provides that the protective clothing given to employees exposed to asbestos, should be cleaned at the premises where work is undertaken or in a properly equipped laundry. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that the handling and cleaning of work clothes are carried out under controlled conditions to prevent the release of asbestos dust.

Article 18, paragraph 3. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that work clothing, special protective clothing and personal protective equipment are not taken home.

Article 18, paragraph 4. The Committee notes that section 5 of the Asbestos Law requires employers to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of workers. The Committee also notes that pursuant to the Asbestos Regulations (Regulations 10 and 16), workers' protective clothing should be cleaned at the work premises or in a properly equipped laundry and separate storage facilities for the protective clothing and personal clothing not used at work, should be provided. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether the employer is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of work clothing, special protective clothing and personal protective equipment.

Article 20, paragraphs 1 and 2. The Committee notes that employers are required to measure the concentration of asbestos in the air and monitor the exposure of workers to asbestos at intervals specified by the Chief Inspector, depending on each case. The Committee further notes that employers are also required to keep records of monitoring or a suitable summary thereof for a period to be prescribed by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance. The Government's report indicates that the approved method of measurement and the period during which records of monitoring should be kept, will be prescribed in the future. The Committee therefore requests the Government to keep the Office informed of the progress made in this regard.

Article 20, paragraph 3. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which workers concerned, their representatives, and the inspection services are provided access to the records of the monitoring of the environment.

Article 20, paragraph 4. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that workers have the right to request monitoring of the environment and to appeal to the competent authority concerning the results of the monitoring.

Article 21, paragraph 2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that the monitoring of workers' health in connection with the use of asbestos shall not result in any loss of earnings for them and shall be free of charge and shall take place, as far as possible, during working hours.

Article 21, paragraph 4. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the efforts made to provide workers concerned with other means of maintaining their income in the event that continued assignment to work involving exposure to asbestos is medically inadvisable.