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

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Germany (Ratification: 1973)

The Committee notes the joint observations made by the Union for Construction, Agriculture and Environment (IGBAU) and the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) received on 24 November 2011, concerning the frequency of labour inspections in agriculture as well as occupational accidents in that sector. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

In addition, the Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous comments.

Article 6(1)(b) of the Convention. Preventive measures targeting types of recurrent occupational disease and industrial accidents. Prevention of occupational accidents. The Committee notes the preventive measures targeting most of the more frequent occupational diseases. Besides intensive advice provided for the purpose of reducing the risks of all occupational diseases, these information campaigns focus on respiratory diseases and diseases transmissible from animals to humans. The Committee notes in particular: (i) the implementation of a system of information (Schwarz-Weiß-Systeme) on hygiene prescriptions to prevent outside pathogenic agents from entering buildings and facilities housing animals; (ii) incentives to employers to use the new tests for rapid evaluation of the quantity of allergenic factors in cattle sheds and to provide respiratory protection equipment to persons affected whose work necessarily brings them into contact with animals; and (iii) campaigns targeting skin diseases, for the periods 2007–08 and 2008–12. The Committee also notes that one of the occupational safety objectives for the period 2008–12 is to reduce the number and seriousness of musculoskeletal disorders, and that prevention of spinal lesions is an objective for the period 2013–14.

Prevention of occupational accidents. The Committee notes, in connection with the 2008–12 objective of reducing the number and seriousness of occupational accidents, that the National Federation of the fund for the insurance and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in agriculture (Spitzenverband der landwirtschaftlichen Berufsgenossenschaften) is now responsible, pursuant to section 143e of SGB VII (Social Code), for recording occupational accidents (number and seriousness) in detail and for devising, from the database, special preventive measures to apply in the agricultural sector.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on any developments in the policy for the prevention of occupational risks specific to agricultural work, and on the impact of the measures implemented.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.