Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1977)

Article 4, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Obligation to prohibit the use of benzene and of products containing benzene as a solvent or diluent except where the process is carried out in an enclosed system or where there are other equally safe methods of work. Article 7, paragraph 1. Use of enclosed systems for work processes involving the use of benzene or of products containing benzene. Article 8, paragraph 2. Personal protective equipment. Article 14, subparagraph (a). Legislation. Part IV of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that Decree No. 183/982 of 27 May 1982 prohibiting the use of benzene as a solvent remains in force and that no companies have been reported as using benzene. The Committee notes that the Government does not supply any information on the matters raised by the Committee. With reference to Decree No. 306/005 of 14 September 2005 concerning the chemical industry, as mentioned in its comments on the Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139), and Decree No. 291/007 of 13 August 2007 on protection against risks, which it also mentioned in its comments on the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), and which appears to facilitate more coordinated action in occupational safety and health, and also with reference to the setting up of a tripartite sectoral commission in the chemical industry, the Committee hopes that the abovementioned legislation and commission will have a positive impact on the application of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on the issues raised in its previous comments relating to the Articles referred to above and requests it to supply information on the activities of the tripartite sectoral commission in relation to the present Convention.