Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Guernsey

Articles 3(1), 10 and 16 of the Convention. Primary functions of the system of labour inspection. Number of labour inspectors. Frequency and thoroughness of inspections. The Committee takes note of the Business Plan 2020–2022 of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of Guernsey, which is available on the website of the HSE. This plan establishes five objectives to be achieved by the HSE, including leading others to improve health and safety at the workplace (objective 1) and securing compliance with the law (objective 3). The Committee notes that within the framework of these two objectives, the HSE plans to: (i) target and conduct inspections of sectors and activities which give rise to the most serious risks or where risks are least well controlled (including undertaking 20 annual inspections visits to four specific types of workplaces and 10 annual inspection visits to a fifth workplace type, as well as focusing inspections on specific key health risks) (objective 1(b)); and, (ii) investigate work-related complaints, accidents, incidents and ill-health, all within identified short time frames, enforce the law to prevent harm and secure justice where appropriate as well as enforce licence and permit conditions and hold licence and permit holders to account (objective 3(a) and (b)). The Committee also notes that, according to the HSE Business Plan 2020–2022, the HSE is composed of three health and safety inspectors and has one vacant position. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the HSE Business Plan 2020–2022, particularly in relation to progress towards objectives 1 and 3, as well as on their impact on the work of the HSE. It also requests the Government to provide up to date information on the number of health and safety inspectors employed and the number, type, and timing of inspection visits carried out, including those performed under the HSE Business Plan 2020–2022.

Articles 20 and 21. Annual report on the work of the inspection services. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether annual reports on the work of the inspection services are published in accordance with Article 20(2) of the Convention, and, if so, whether they address the subjects specified in Article 21 of the Convention.