Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Norway (Ratification: 1961)

The Committee notes the observations of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), submitted with the Government’s report.

The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government in its report in reply to the Committee’s previous comment concerning Article 15 of the Convention on inspection services.

General observation of 2015. The Committee would like to draw the Government’s attention to its general observation of 2015 under this Convention, and in particular to the request for information contained in paragraph 30 thereof.

Article 14. Discontinuation of assignment to work involving exposure to ionizing radiation pursuant to medical advice and alternative employment. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous comments, the Government refers to section 4-6 of the Work Environment Act (WEA), on adaptation for employees with reduced capacity of work. Section 4-6(1) provides that if an employee suffers reduced capacity for work as a result of an accident, sickness, fatigue or the like, the employer shall, as far as possible, implement the necessary measures to enable the employee to retain or be given suitable work. The employee shall preferably be given the opportunity to continue his normal work, possibly after special adaptation. Section 4-6(2) provides that if it is appropriate to transfer an employee to other work, the employee and the employees’ elected representatives shall be consulted before deciding the matter. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that the Labour Inspection Authority supervises compliance with the provisions of the Work Environment Act, guiding undertakings in its implementation and issuing orders as necessary. Furthermore, it notes that undertakings collaborate with the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration with regard to social security and sickness benefits and follow-up plans. Noting that section 4-6 of the Work Environment Act refers to persons with reduced capacity for work “as a result of an accident, sickness, fatigue or the like”, the Committee requests the Government to indicate if this provision also applies to situations before an occupational disease has been declared, but after it has been determined that it is medically inadvisable for a worker to be assigned work involving exposure to ionizing radiations. It requests, in this regard, information on the application in practice of section 4-6 of the Work Environment Act to workers engaged in work involving exposure to ionizing radiation.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in reply to the Committee’s previous request, that a national “Strategy for reducing the exposure to radon” was formulated for the 2009–14 period. The strategy aimed at ensuring that the level of radon exposure in all types of buildings and facilities was lower than established dose levels and at helping to lower the radon exposure in the country as much as possible. The Committee also notes that the Labour Inspection Authority prepared “Guidance on radiation in the workplace” and conducted a survey of radon in workplaces and underground workplaces to achieve updated knowledge about the existence and exposure levels in construction sites and underground workplaces. In this regard, the Committee notes that the LO once again refers to the lack of monitoring of exposure to radon in different sites, including construction sites in geological areas and underground workplaces. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice as well as any measures taken or envisaged to address the issues raised by the LO in its observations.