Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Slovenia (Ratification: 1992)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the adoption of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 43/11), which repeals the Health and Safety Act, 1999, and has a broader scope of application; the Rules on regular updating of skills and training in the field of health and safety at work (No. 109/11); and the Rules on permits for performing safety at work-related tasks (No. 109/11). The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the effect given to Article 12(c) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regard to the Convention.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee welcomes the Government’s indication that in order to help employers (particularly those employing a small number of workers) and workers understand and implement occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation, a number of manuals and publications on various topics were drawn up by the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs. The Committee also notes the indication that, in response to the 13 fatal occupational accidents which occurred in forestry work in 2013, the labour inspectorate drew up a guidance document on safe work in forests, which it published online. Furthermore, the Committee notes that the total number of OSH violations uncovered by the labour inspectorate increased from 15,939 in 2012 to 18,005 in 2013 and, from the detailed statistical data provided, that the number of occupational accidents in the mining sector has significantly decreased over the years, with no fatal accidents since 2008. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice and relevant statistics.

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

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the adoption of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 43/11), which repeals the Health and Safety Act, 1999, and has a broader scope of application; the Rules on regular updating of skills and training in the field of health and safety at work (No. 109/11); and the Rules on permits for performing safety at work-related tasks (No. 109/11). The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government on the effect given to Article 12(c) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regard to the Convention.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee welcomes the Government’s indication that in order to help employers (particularly those employing a small number of workers) and workers understand and implement occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation, a number of manuals and publications on various topics were drawn up by the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs. The Committee also notes the indication that, in response to the 13 fatal occupational accidents which occurred in forestry work in 2013, the labour inspectorate drew up a guidance document on safe work in forests, which it published online. Furthermore, the Committee notes that the total number of OSH violations uncovered by the labour inspectorate increased from 15,939 in 2012 to 18,005 in 2013 and, from the detailed statistical data provided, that the number of occupational accidents in the mining sector has significantly decreased over the years, with no fatal accidents since 2008. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice and relevant statistics.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its latest report indicating a number of recent legislative amendments which give further effect to the provisions of the Convention. The Committee also notes the responses provided indicating effect given to Article 1(2); Article 2(2); Article 5(e); Article 7; Article 11(b); and Article 19(e). The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regards to the Convention.

Article 12, subparagraph (c). Studies and research by manufacturers, importers and providers of machinery, equipment and substances necessary to ensure their safe use. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating the requirements under the Machinery Safety Rules for manufacturers to comply with essential health and safety standards when placing machinery on the market, and to provide technical documentation for every machine or safety component in accordance with Article 12(a) and (b). The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure that those who design, manufacture, import, provide or transfer machinery, equipment or substances for occupational use, undertake studies and research, or otherwise keep abreast, of the scientific and technical knowledge as required by Article 12(c).

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee welcomes the comprehensive information available online in the Labour Inspectorate annual report for 2004, and statistical data on inspections in the field of occupational health and safety and on work accidents. The Committee notes that in 2004 there were 176,335 employers subject to inspection, employing a total of 782,206 employees. The Committee also welcomes the information indicating the continuing decrease in the number of fatalities and the number of serious workplace accidents, with the number of fatal accidents at work falling from 26 in 2002 to 13 in 2004, and the number of serious workplace injuries reported and investigated falling from 325 in 2003 to 323 in 2004. The Committee notes the statement that fatal accidents in 2004 occurred primarily at small businesses, and that the most common business activity involved in the 2004 cases was the construction industry. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to address the trends noted above, and to continue to provide updated information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its reports. It requests the Government to supply supplementary information on the following points:

2. Article 1, paragraph 2, and Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Possible exclusions from the application of the Convention. The Committee notes that article 2 of Health and Safety at Work Act (Official Gazette No. 50/99 as amended until Official Gazette No. 64/01) lays down that it is not applied in spheres of economic activity or parts thereof where the insurance of health and safety at work is governed by special regulation. The Government is requested to indicate whether such special regulations governing the issues of safety and health covering any special spheres of economic activity have been adopted.

3. Article 5, paragraph (e). Main spheres of action taken into consideration by the national policy. The Committee requests the Government to indicate provisions establishing protection of workers and their representatives from disciplinary measures as a result of actions properly taken by them which should be covered by the occupational safety and health (OSH) policy as one of its main spheres of action.

4. Article 7. Arrangements made for reviews provided for at appropriate intervals.  The Government is requested to submit information concerning the review process carried out at the national or branch (particular area) level and to specify the intervals at which such reviews take place.

5. Article 11, paragraph (b). Determination of work processes the exposure to which is to be prohibited, limited or made subject to authorisation or control by the competent authority. The Committee notes that the Practical Guidelines for Work with Dangerous Chemical Substances contain classification of such substances, information about three groups of measures, namely: (i) technical; (ii) organizational; and (iii) of individual safety, which are intended for protecting employees against dangerous substances at work. Noting that the substances to which this Article of the Convention applies are not limited to chemical substances, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the competent authority ensures the function of determination of work processes which can be prohibited, limited, made subject to authorization or control.

6. Article 12. Obligations of designer, manufacturer, importer and provider of machinery, equipment or substances for occupational use. The Government is requested to indicate measures to be taken in order to ensure that those who design, manufacture, import, provide or transfer machinery, equipment or substances for occupational use satisfy themselves that equipment or substance does not entail dangers for the safety and health of those using it correctly; make available information concerning the correct installation and use of machinery and equipment and the correct use of substances as well as instructions on how hazards are to be avoided; undertake studies and research or otherwise keep abreast of the scientific and technical knowledge.

7. Article 19, paragraph (e). Arrangements to make workers or their representatives able to inquire into their occupational safety and health aspects. The Committee requests the Government to indicate legislative and/or practical measures enabling workers or their representatives to enquire into all aspects of OSH associated with their work.

8. Part V of the report form. Information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in selected chapter of the "Report on work and activities of the labour inspectorate for 1998". The Government is requested to keep it informed of such activities supplying extracts from inspection reports and, where such statistics exist, information of the number of workers covered by the legislation, if possible, disaggregated by gender, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number, nature and cause of the accidents reported, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (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 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report. It requests the Government to indicate in detail the provisions of laws, regulations, statements or documents which give effect to each of the Articles of the Convention, and any other measures under which they are applied. In addition, please provide any information specifically requested under individual Articles in the report form adopted by the Governing Body. Please also specify what steps have been taken to implement the provisions of the Convention requiring action by the competent authority.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report. It requests the Government to indicate in detail the provisions of laws, regulations, statements or documents which give effect to each of the Articles of the Convention, and any other measures under which they are applied. In addition, please provide any information specifically requested under individual Articles in the report form adopted by the Governing Body. Please also specify what steps have been taken to implement the provisions of the Convention requiring action by the competent authority.