Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Croatia (Ratification: 1991)

1. The Committee takes notes of the observations made by the Association of Workers Affected by Asbestosis - Vranjic - on the application of the Convention and the documentation annexed. The comments were communicated to the Government on 13 September 2002.

2. The comments of the association of workers concern the use of asbestos by the "Salonit" factory, owned until 1998 by the Croatian State, and its harmful effects both on the workers exposed to it and the population in the vicinity. The association of workers considers in particular that a total lack of information of the workers concerning the toxic effects of asbestos and a complete absence of adequate preventive and protective measures have caused so far the death of more than 200 workers and people living in the vicinity of the "Salonit" factory which currently employs 250 workers with an annual production volume of approximately 25,000 tons. According to the association of workers, the competent Croatian authorities and the employers are not respecting the international standards for the safe use of asbestos. The association refers in particular to the following Articles of the Convention by stating that:

(a)  Article 12. The increased concentration of asbestos dust in the air, stated and recorded by the regional safety at work inspectorate on 7 and 8 June 2000, is a consequence of the employer’s non-compliance with the standards spelled out by this Article of the Convention to prohibit in general the spraying of all forms of asbestos, and to concede only derogations in exceptional cases under the condition that the health of workers is not placed at risk.

(b)  Article 14. The employer failed to label the containers used for the storage of asbestos and products containing asbestos, and, at the same time, the workers concerned are not properly informed about the risks inherent in the production process of asbestos.

(c)  Article 18. The work clothing provided to the workers at the factory is only simple work clothing and does not correspond to the requirements for special protective clothing. In addition, while the employer does not take any action for appropriate cleaning of workers’ clothing as well as to put into function the existing washing facilities, the clothing of workers remains in continued contact with asbestos and workers exposed do not take a shower after work. The workers however, due to the lack of information, are not conscious of the necessity to wear special protective clothing to be cleaned in an appropriate manner and to take a shower after work.

(d)  Article 19. With regard to the handling of waste containing asbestos, the necessary precautions to prevent the release of asbestos dust are not taken during transport, and the asbestos waste is illegally stored in a place which is located in the immediate neighbourhood of the vicinity, the beverage factory and the main source of drinking water to the city of Split.

(e)  Article 22. The employer neglects his duties to ensure the provision of proper information through internal regulations or instructions or labels to workers exposed or likely to be exposed to asbestos with regard to health hazards related to their work. The only information available to the workers is contained in a workers’ brochure of the factory on the health risks caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. The information contained therein however is misleading, since it declares, contrary to the published findings of the World Health Organization (WHO), that there is no proven correlation between cancer and the intake of asbestos through drinking water and food. Moreover, although the inspection services already revealed in its inspection report of 2000 a number of deficiencies with regard to, inter alia, the lack of protective measures taken against the release of asbestos-cement dust, and the lack of indications and announcements at the workplace concerning the noxious properties of asbestos, the employer has not yet taken any remedial action. Moreover, the employer continues to fail to inform the workers concerned on the toxic and harmful effects inherent in their exposure to asbestos.

The Committee urges the Government to communicate comments as soon as possible on the observations made by the Association of Workers Affected by Asbestosis - Vranjic, and will supply full information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in law and in practice.

The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government concerning certain matters.

[The Government is asked to supply particulars to the Conference at its 91st session and to reply in detail to the present comments in 2003.]