Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167) - Macau Special Administrative Region (Ratification: 2003)

1. The Committee notes the information provided in the two Government reports. It wishes, however, to bring the Government’s attention to the following points.

2. Article 21 of the Convention. Work in compressed air; Article 22. Structural frames and formwork; Article 23. Work over water. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, no legislation exists covering these Articles of the Convention. The report also states that the provisions of the Regulations on health and safety in civil construction are regularly revised and updated, and that the situations envisaged by Articles 21, 22 and 23 of the Convention are being studied and will be duly taken into account at the time of the next revision. In this regard, the Committee hopes that the new legislation will also contain provisions allowing for the full application of the following Articles: Article 16, paragraph 1(d). Transport, Earth-moving and materials-handling equipment; Article 16, paragraph 2(b). Organization of traffic on construction sites; Article 17, paragraph 1. Plant, machinery, equipment and hand tools; Article 17, paragraphs 2 and 3. Instructions relating to plant, examination of pressure plant and equipment; Article 20, paragraph 1(b). Cofferdams and caissons; Article 24(a). Demolition work; Article 26, paragraphs 1 and 3. Electricity; Article 27. Explosives; Article 28, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. Health hazards for workers; Article 29. Fire precautions. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments in this regard and to communicate a copy of the revised text as soon as it has been adopted.

3. Part III of the report form. The Committee notes the information that a card, known as the "safety card", is in the final phase of the legislative procedure. This card will be issued to all civil construction workers and, in the near future, without it they will be unable to work in this sector. Issuance of the card will depend on attendance at training sessions held by the Department of Labour and Employment. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments concerning the legislative procedure and to provide a copy of the relevant texts as soon as they have been adopted, as well as a copy of the "safety card".

4. Part VI of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided in the report on the work of the Labour Inspection Department for 2002. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide statistics, if possible disaggregated by sex, and inspection reports, as well as information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of contraventions reported and any information allowing the Committee to assess more accurately the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice in the country.