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

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Latvia (Ratification: 1994)

Article 7 of the Convention. Review of the situation regarding occupational safety and health at appropriate intervals. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that, with regard to the enterprise level, sections 5 and 8 of the Labour Protection Law require an employer to perform a risk assessment of the work environment, and that the procedures for such an evaluation are prescribed by Regulation No. 660 of 2 October 2007. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government indicate the legislative provisions prescribing a review, at the national level, of the occupational safety and health situation by the National Tripartite Coordination Council and Labour Affairs Tripartite Coordination Sub-Council; and to provide information about the procedure for the review, and specify the intervals at which they take place. The Government may find useful guidance on this in paragraphs 54–59 and 76–78 of the 2009 General Survey concerning this Convention.

Article 12, subparagraph (c). Studies and research by manufacturers, importers and providers of machinery, equipment and substances necessary to ensure their safe use and to give correct information about this use. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the requirement that an employer observe the general labour protection principles in accordance with the Labour Protection Law to ensure that machinery, equipment or substances are not dangerous to the safety or health of a person using them. The Committee reiterates its requests that the Government indicate the measures undertaken or envisaged to ensure that persons who design, manufacture, import or transfer machinery, equipment or substances for occupational use, undertake studies and research or otherwise keep abreast of the scientific and technical knowledge necessary to comply with subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Article. The Government may find useful guidance on this in paragraph 168 of the abovementioned General Survey concerning this Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government concerning the number of employees in undertakings, institutions and organizations supervised by the State Labour Inspectorate. The Committee notes that the number of accidents and the number of occupational diseases reported has increased since 2004. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to address this increase; and to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice.