Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Montenegro (Ratification: 2006)

Article 2 of the Convention. The substitution of benzene with less harmful products. The Committee notes that the information in the Government’s report refers to certain restrictions on the use of benzene and products containing benzene, but does not relate to the use of substitute products. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to ensure that whenever harmless or less harmful substitute products are available, they shall be used instead of benzene or products containing benzene.

Articles 5, 7, 8 and 12. Measures to ensure the effective protection of workers exposed to benzene or products containing benzene. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that it has approved a proposal for a law on health and safety at work, currently before Parliament. The Government indicates that subsequently a new Rulebook on workers exposed to chemical substances will be adopted which will be in full compliance with the Convention, and will regulate issues related to Articles 5, 7, 8 and 12 of the Convention. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to communicate the provisions of the Rulebook on workers exposed to chemical substances which give effect to Articles 5, 7, 8 and 12, once the Rulebook is adopted, if possible in one of the working languages of the ILO.

Article 6. Safety measures in premises where workers are exposed to benzene. Noting the absence of information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate measures taken to ensure that in premises where benzene or products containing benzene are manufactured, handled or used, all necessary measures are taken to prevent the escape of benzene vapour. It also requests the Government to provide information on how it ensures, in practice, that the prescribed maximum limits to benzene are not exceeded, including information on whether the competent authority has issued directions on how to carry out measurements of the concentration of benzene within the workplace.

Application of the Convention in practice. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report on the application of the Convention in practice, the Committee requests the Government to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied, including extracts from labour inspection reports, the number of establishments in the country where workers are exposed to benzene or products containing benzene and the number of such workers.