Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - Norway (Ratification: 1979)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the information supplied in response to its comments. It further notes the amendments that were made in 2002 to the Machinery Regulation No. 820 of 19 August 1994, to implement the respective EU Directives.

Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. Exposure limits for vibration. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Directorate of Labour Inspection is currently in the process of preparing regulations to implement EU Directive 2002/44/EC on minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration). The Government specifies that the implementing regulations on vibrations must enter into force until 6 July 2005, which is the deadline established under the EU Directive 2002/44/EC. The Government further indicates that the Regulation of 22 July 1993 on noise at work will be amended, following the provisions contained in the EU Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise). The Committee notes that the deadline for implementation of the latter EU Directive is 15 February 2006. The Committee hopes that the new regulations will be in line with the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention, and that the Government will be in a position to adopt the regulations on vibration and to amend the Regulation on noise at work, 1993, in the near future, even before the deadlines set forth by the EU Directives.