Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Denmark (Ratification: 2009)

Article 3(1) of the Convention. Promoting a safe and healthy working environment by formulating a national policy in accordance with the principles in Article 4 of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155). The Committee notes from the information provided that the central authority in terms of occupational safety and health (OSH) is the tripartite Working Environment Council (Council) which according to section 66 (1) of the Work Environment Act, inter alia, “shall participate in the organization and performance of all working environment work […] and issuing recommendations […] on the overall objectives and the setting of priorities for working environment work”. The Committee notes that the Danish Working Environment Authority may attend the meetings of the Council with one representative but without voting rights. The Committee also notes the information that the measures taken to formulate a safe and healthy working environment policy are reflected in separate national OSH policies adopted for the work on land and work in maritime sector (including fishing); that as regards the offshore activities OSH strategies have been developed until the end of 2012; and that in the transport sector the Danish Transport Authority reports that in the period 2010–11 special focus has been placed on work on board civil aircrafts and accidents at work, damages caused by noise and musculoskeletal disorders. OSH issues are regulated in four separate sets of legislation and their application is supervised by four separate institutions: the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA) (land); the Maritime Authority (sea); the Transport Authority (transport) and the Danish Energy Agency together with the Maritime Authority (offshore activities). In the light of the fact that Article 4 of Convention No. 155 calls for a “coherent” national OSH policy, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on measures taken to ensure that these separate national policies constitute a coherent national OSH policy and on the role of the tripartite Work Environment Council in this respect.

Article 4(3)(g) of the Convention. Collaboration with relevant insurance and social security schemes. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the National Board of Industrial Injuries ensures the collaboration between relevant insurance and social security schemes covering injuries and diseases. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the activities carried out by the National Board of Industrial Injuries and on how the referenced collaboration is applied in practice.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information on occupational accidents provided in the website of the Working Environment Authority (www.at.dk). With reference to the comments formulated on the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) this year and in the light of the provisions contained in Convention No. 187, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the application in practice of the Convention.