Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Belize (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes with deep concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments. The Committee informs the Government that, if it has not supplied replies to the points raised by 1 September 2020, then it may proceed with the examination of the application of the Convention on the basis of the information at its disposal at its next session.

Repetition

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

The Committee notes the information in the Government’s current report that the National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) Bill does take into consideration all the Committee’s observations as it ensures the effective protection of workers exposed to ionizing radiation in the course of their work. The Committee also notes from the Government’s report that provisions have been made in the NOSH Bill for maximum permissible doses of ionizing radiation, alternative employment (especially for pregnant women) and the prevention of occupational exposure during an emergency. Furthermore, according to available information, the NOSH Bill has not yet been adopted due to concerns that it may be burdensome to employers. The Committee notes that, in spite of its previous request, the Government has not provided a detailed report as requested by the Committee. The Committee wishes to emphasize that the indication that the new legislation is in the process of adoption does not free the Government from the obligation to ensure the application of the provisions of the Convention during the transition period and to provide such information in its report. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on the application of the Convention, including new legislation, if adopted, and where it has not been adopted, the manner in which the Government ensures the application of the provisions of the Convention in practice. It also reiterates its request to the Government to respond in detail to its previous observation which reads as follows:

Articles 3(1) and 6(2) of the Convention. Maximum permissible doses of ionizing radiation. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s response indicating that on 13 March 2009, the Labour Advisory Board was re-activated and that its main duty is the revision of national labour legislation. The Committee notes that the Ministry is currently in the process of identifying a consultant that will work with the Labour Advisory Board to conduct the revision of the legislation, and that comments made by the Committee will be submitted to the Board. The Committee hopes that in the course of the ongoing revision of national labour legislation due account will be taken on the exposure limits adopted by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, in order to ensure the effective protection of workers exposed to ionizing radiation in the course of their work.

Article 14. Provision of alternative employment. The Committee notes the Government’s response indicating that there is no provision in the Labour Act for the transfer of pregnant women from their work involving exposure to ionizing radiation to another job. The Committee notes, however, the Government’s statement that that the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy, adopted by Cabinet on 9 November 2004, can provide a suitable framework for drafting legislation that could make provision for such transfer and that legislation is drafted in consultation with the Labour Advisory Board. The Committee hopes that in the course of the ongoing revision of the national labour legislation due account will be taken of the need to ensure that suitable alternative employment opportunities, not involving exposure to ionizing radiations, be provided for workers having accumulated an effective dose beyond which detriment to their health considered unacceptable is to arise, as well as for pregnant women, who may be faced with the dilemma that protecting their health means losing their employment.

Occupational exposure during an emergency. The Committee notes that there is currently no provision within the Labour Act laying out the circumstances in which exceptional exposure is authorized. The Committee requests the Government, in the course of the ongoing revision of the national labour legislation, to take due account of the need to determine circumstances in which exceptional exposure is authorized, and to make protection as effective as possible against accidents and during emergency operations, in particular with regard to the design and protective features of the workplace and the equipment, and the development of emergency intervention techniques, the use of which in emergency situations would enable the exposure of individuals to ionizing radiations to be avoided.

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