Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Argentina (Ratification: 1978)

The Committee notes the latest information provided by the Government.

1. Article 3, paragraph 1, and Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention. In accordance with the provisions of these articles, all appropriate steps shall be taken to ensure effective protection of workers against ionizing radiation, in the light of knowledge available at the time, and maximum permissible doses and amounts shall be kept under constant review in the light of current knowledge. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government on the new "basic radiological safety standard" (Provision No. 30/91) approved by the Argentine Regulatory Authority, which envisages the Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) of 1990 (Publication No. 60) and the International Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources jointly sponsored, in 1994, by the IAEA, the ILO, the WHO and three other international organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of Provision No. 30/91 and of any other new legislation adopted, in relation to this matter.

2. Provision of alternative employment. (a) Premature accumulation of a lifetime dose. With reference to its general observation of 1992, paragraphs 28 to 34 and 35(d), and the principles reflected in paragraphs 96 and 238 of the International Basic Safety Standards issued in 1994, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to guarantee the offer of alternative employment opportunities which do not entail exposure to ionizing radiation for workers who have already received an effective dose beyond which they would suffer a detriment considered to be unacceptable.

(b) Pregnant women. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in respect of the standards in force establishing the dose limits for women who are pregnant. According to these standards, all pregnant women shall notify their condition to the person responsible for the installation where they perform their duties. From that time and until childbirth, the equivalent dose shall not exceed 2 mSv, and it is especially recommended to avoid all exposure between the eight and fifteenth weeks of pregnancy. In this respect, the Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the measures taken or envisaged to guarantee the offer of alternative employment to pregnant women.

3. Protection against accidents and in emergency situations. With reference to paragraphs 16 to 27 and 35(c) of its general observation of 1992 and paragraphs 233 and 236 of the International Basic Safety Standards issued in 1994, the Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the circumstances in which exceptional exposure is authorized, the measures taken or envisaged to make protection as effective as possible against accidents and during emergency operations, in particular with regard to the design and protective features of the workplace and equipment, and the development of emergency intervention techniques, the use of which in emergency situations would enable the exposure of individuals to ionizing radiation to be avoided.