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

Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176) - Ireland (Ratification: 1998)

The Committee notes the Government’s first and second reports, which indicate that legislative and practical application is given to most of the provisions of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide further clarifications on the following points.

Article 1, paragraph 1(b), of the Convention. Please indicate the provisions of national laws and regulations that include in the definition of a mine, all machinery, equipment, appliances, plant, buildings and civil engineering structures used in conjunction with the activities of exploration, extraction and preparation of minerals referred to in paragraph 1(a) of this Article of the Convention.

Article 5, paragraph 3. Please indicate the provisions of national laws and regulations requiring that the manufacture and transport of explosives and initiating devices at the mine shall be carried out by or under the direct supervision of competent and authorized persons.

Article 5, paragraph 4(d). Please indicate the provisions of national laws and regulations specifying the requirements for the safe transport and disposal of hazardous substances used in the mining process and waste produced at the mine.

Article 7(b). Please provide information on the necessary measures that are required to be taken by employers to ensure that the mine is decommissioned in such a way that workers can perform the work assigned to them without endangering their safety and health or that of other persons.

Article 9(a). Please indicate the regulations adopted under section 28 and paragraph 2(e) of the Fourth Schedule of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act in order to ensure that employers inform workers as required by this paragraph of Article 9 of the Convention.

Article 10(d). Please indicate the legislative or practical measures and procedures taken or established for the employer to ensure that all accidents and dangerous occurrences, as defined by national laws or regulations, are investigated and appropriate remedial action taken.

Article 13, paragraph 1(e). Please provide information on the provisions of national laws and regulations providing for the right of workers to remove themselves from any location at the mine when circumstances arise which appear, with reasonable justification, to pose a serious danger to their safety or health.

Article 13, paragraph 2(c). Please indicate the provisions of national laws or regulations that provide for the rights of the safety and health representatives to have recourse to advisers and independent experts.

Article 13, paragraph 2(e). Please provide information on the legislative or other measures determining the procedures for exercising the right of the safety and health representative to consult with the competent authority.