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

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Ghana (Ratification: 1961)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's indication in its latest report that the issue raised by the Committee has been given consideration and the appropriate response is being prepared.

The Committee recalls that its previous observations read as follows:

I. In comments it has been making for over 15 years, the Committee has noted that protection against hazards due to radiation has only been provided by means of the non-binding Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons Exposed to Ionizing Radiations; the Committee had also taken note of the Government's indication that a Radiation Bill was being prepared in order to give legal effect to the Code of Practice. In its 1989 observation, the Committee noted the Government's indication that the Radiation Bill had still not been adopted, but that it would be given prompt attention upon the re-establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Labour. The Committee notes from the Government's report, received in 1991, that there has been no change in the application of the Convention.

The Committee would call the Government's attention to its general observation under this Convention which sets forth the revised system of radiological protection adopted by the International Commission on Radiological Protection on the basis of new physiological findings in its 1990 Recommendations (Publication No. 60). The Committee would recall that, under Article 3, paragraph 1, and Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention, all appropriate steps shall be taken to ensure effective protection of workers against ionizing radiations and to review maximum permissible doses of ionizing radiations in the light of current knowledge. The Government is requested to indicate the steps taken or being considered in relation to the matters raised in the conclusions to the general observation, in particular as regards bringing the Radiation Bill under preparation into conformity with the present state of knowledge.

The Committee hopes that the Radiation Bill with any necessary amendments will soon be adopted and that it also will ensure the application of the following provisions of the Convention which are not covered by the Code of Practice: Article 9, paragraph 2 (instructions to be given to workers as to the precautions to be taken for their health and safety when working with ionizing radiations); Article 13(a), (b) and (d) (circumstances under which, due to the nature and/or degree of exposure, workers shall undergo appropriate medical examinations, employers shall notify the competent authority and shall take any necessary remedial action on the basis of the technical findings and the medical advice); and Article 14 (to ensure that no worker is employed or continues to be employed in work involving exposure to ionizing radiations contrary to qualified medical advice). The Government is requested to indicate the progress made in these respects.

II. The Government is requested to provide information concerning the methods by which application of the Code of Practice is presently supervised and enforced, as requested under point III of the report form, as well as any relevant extracts from official reports concerning the practical application of the Convention, as called for under point IV of the report form.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.