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

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) - Guatemala (Ratification: 1989)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report. It notes in particular the information that the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, through the Health and Safety Department of the General Directorate of Social Insurance, is carrying out a study and a tripartite analysis together with bodies representing workers, employers and the Government with a view to reforming the General Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, to ensure that enterprises carry out risk evaluations to prevent hazards to the health of workers, so that importance is attached and investments made in improving occupational safety, health and hygiene conditions at work with the objective of motivating the performance of workers.

2. Article 6 of the Convention. Legislation for the establishment of occupational health services. The Committee notes the information that on 19 May 2005 the employer representatives submitted a preliminary draft of General Safety and Health Regulations to the National Occupational Safety and Health Commission (CONASSO), the text of which is now being reviewed. The Committee trusts that the draft text will be adopted in the near future to give full effect to the Convention.

3. Part V of the Convention. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information that in 2004, a total of 306 regular inspections were carried out to provide guidance to employers and workers with a view to risk management at work and the improvement of environmental conditions, and that technical advice in the field of occupational safety and health was provided to 150 enterprises in 2005. A total of 67 occupational safety and health committees were organized in the various economic sectors in 2004, and the number was 61 in 2005. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the application of the Convention in practice, the results of inspection visits and the action taken to improve conditions in the working environment.