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

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Lebanon (Ratification: 2000)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 1 of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that, as a result of the work of the joint body set up to issue a national list of occupational diseases, Decree No. 14229 of 26 February 2005 relating to occupational diseases was promulgated and that a copy of this decree was joined to the Government’s report. The Committee notes, however, that this decree does not regulate the question of a periodical determination of carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure is prohibited or subjected to authorization or control as required by this Article of the Convention. The Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide detailed information on measures taken or envisaged to determine the dangerous carcinogenic substances to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control as required by this Article of the Convention.

Article 2(1). Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by non-carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that, in line, inter alia, with legislation prohibiting the import of asbestos products and according to Report No. 561/4 of 13 July 2009 of the inspectorate of prevention and occupational safety, eternit was replaced by PVC in the manufacture of pipes. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information and examples of measures taken to apply national legislation concerning the replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by non-carcinogenic substances and agents.

Article 2(2). Limiting the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances. The Committee further notes the information indicating that no measures have been taken with regard to reducing the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to reduce the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents, as well as information on measures taken to reduce the duration and degree of such exposure.

Article 3. Measures taken to protect workers against exposure and appropriate systems of records. The Committee notes the information indicating that medical records of all workers at undertakings where there is exposure to chemical and other carcinogenic substances or agents are required to be kept, including all medical files which exceed 30 years. The Committee further notes that the Government has no information on measures to protect workers against exposure in undertakings whose activity includes exposure to ionized radiation. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed examples with its next report on measures taken to protect workers against exposure to chemical and other carcinogenic substances or agents at the workplace.

Articles 3, 4, 5 and 6(a). Protective measures, provision of information, medical examination and promotional campaigns concerning asbestos-related activities. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that there are several small companies that use asbestos in the manufacture of brakes in accordance with the mandatory prevention programme applicable to asbestos-related activities, as mentioned by the Government in its previous report, but that the Government has no information on the number of such companies, nor the number of workers employed. The Government is requested to provide detailed information on how the relevant rules are applied in practice in relation to persons engaged in asbestos-related activities, including information on the medical examinations carried out, the keeping of medical records, the provision of information on the dangers involved to workers who may have been exposed to asbestos and on the implementation and results of the mandatory prevention programme.

Article 5. Medical examinations. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided a response to the Committee’s query under Article 5. The Committee therefore reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed information with its next report on the medical examinations carried out before, during and after employment, their frequency and how long information related thereto is kept.

Article 6. Labour inspection. The Committee notes that the Government has not included a copy of the latest reports of the labour inspection services, nor information on the manner in which the Convention is applied. The Committee therefore reiterates its request that the Government provide copies of the latest reports of the labour inspection services on cases which raise issues relating to matters covered by the Convention; and give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, including, for example, extracts from inspection reports and, if available, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, if possible disaggregated by sex, the number and nature of contraventions reported, the number and cause of accidents recorded and the measures taken to remedy them.