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

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1988)

1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s latest report. It notes with interest the adoption of Decree No. 64/004 of 18 February 2004, which represents an update of the National Code on Diseases and Sanitary Events with Compulsory Notification. The Committee also notes with interest the draft regulation on minimum measures that should be taken for the prevention of and protection against occupational hazards in the chemical industry. Once adopted, this regulation would, in relation to the chemical industry, give effect to certain provisions of the Convention including Articles 5, 11, 19 and 21. The Committee hopes that, in the continued work on this Draft Regulation relating to the chemical industry, measures will be taken also to give effect to the following provisions of the Convention.

Article 4. The formulation, implementation and periodical review of a coherent national policy on occupational safety and health in the chemical industry whose aim is to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work.

Article 6. The respective functions and responsibilities in respect of occupational safety and health in the chemical industry of public authorities, employers and workers.

Article 7. Periodical review of the situation regarding occupational safety and health in the chemical industry either overall or in respect of particular areas, with a view to identifying major problems, evolving effective methods for dealing with them and priorities of action, and evaluating results.

Article 10. Measures to provide guidance to employers and workers so as to help them to comply with legal obligations.

Article 12. Measures to take with a view to ensure that those who design, manufacture, import, provide or transfer chemical substances for occupational use satisfy themselves that such substances do not entail dangers for the safety and health of those using it correctly and to make available information as well as instructions concerning the correct installation and use of substances.

Article 13. Protection from undue consequences of a worker who has removed himself from a work situation which he or she has reasonable justification to believe presents an imminent and serious danger to his or her life or health.

Article 14. The inclusion of questions of occupational safety and health in the chemical industry at all levels of training, in a manner meeting the training needs of all workers.

Article 17. Collaboration in applying the requirements of this Convention of two or more undertakings engaged in activities simultaneously at one workplace.

Article 18. Employers’ obligation to deal with emergencies and accidents, including adequate first-aid arrangements.

The Committee requests the Government to inform the ILO about any progress achieved with regard to the development and adoption of the mentioned regulation and to communicate a copy of this text once adopted.

2. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not contain any specific information on efforts made to follow-up on the conclusions of the Committee set up to examine the representation made by the Latin American Central of Workers (CLAT) approved by the Governing Body. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to ensure a determined and continued application of measures to prevent accidents and injuries arising out of work, to evaluate their impact and to keep the Office informed of all developments in this regard.