Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Iceland (Ratification: 1991)

1. The Committee notes the detailed information in the Government’s reports, including the information on new legislation up to and including Regulation No. 1001/2004, as well as the statistical information provided in reply to the request in Part V of the report form. The Committee notes with interest that the Government’s report responds to the Committee’s previous requests in regard to Articles 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the following points:

2. Article 7 of the Convention. Risk assessment. The Committee notes with interest Act No. 68/2003 that requires the carrying out of a risk assessment in the workplace. It notes the Government’s indication that it proposes to give special attention to activities where workers are exposed to greater safety and health risks than other workers and that further detailed rules to govern the preparation of risk assessments are being developed. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the application in practice of these efforts and on progress regarding the development of detailed rules for the preparation of risk assessments.

3. Article 16, paragraph 3. Personal protective equipment. The Committee notes that the Government refers to Regulations Nos. 580/1995 on machinery and technical equipment and 591/1995 on workplace housing in regards to the application of Article 16 of the Convention. The Committee notes, however, that it remains unclear whether the legislation referred to contain an obligation for the employers to provide, where necessary, adequate protective equipment to workers as required in Article 16, paragraph 3. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would specify the relevant legislative provisions regulating the obligation for employers to provide adequate protective equipment to workers in compliance with the Convention.

4. Article 18. Measures to deal with emergencies. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that Act No. 46/1980 provides for measures to deal with emergencies and accidents and measures to be taken by the employers or the safety representatives and to Regulation No. 547/1996 on working environment health and safety in construction sites and other temporary construction work that contains provisions on measures against emergencies. The Committee also notes the Government’s statement that regulations on risk assessment is currently being examined, which will include provisions on requirements for emergency plans. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the progress of this draft and trusts that it will contain provisions requiring employers to provide, where necessary, for measures to deal with emergencies and accidents, including adequate first aid arrangements in compliance with this Article of the Convention.

5. Part V of the report form. Statistical information. The Committee notes the information regarding a rise in the number of accidents in the workplace. It further notes the view of the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health that the reason for this development is an increase in the reporting of accidents, rather than in the number of actual accidents. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide relevant statistical data regarding the accident rate in the workplaces, including, as appropriate, a more detailed analysis of the causes for the increase in the accident rate.