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

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Russian Federation (Ratification: 1967)

The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in its report that the Russian National Committee on Radiation Safety is preparing new Radiation Safety Standards and basic Health Rules that take into account the 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP Publication No. 60). Referring also to its 1992 General Observation on the Convention, the Committee hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to supply information on the provisions adopted that fully apply the Convention and are consistent with the dose limits set out in the above Recommendations of the ICRP and the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards. The Committee notes the Government's indication that it anticipates a transitional period with respect to the enforcement of the new measures, the duration of which the Committee hopes will be kept to a minimum.

2. Emergency exposure situations. Referring to the explanations given in paragraphs 16 to 27 and 35(c) of its 1992 General Observations under the Convention and in light of paragraphs 233 and 236 of the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or contemplated in relation to emergency situations, in particular with respect to measures to ensure that exceptional exposure of workers in an emergency is strictly limited in scope and duration to what is required to meet an acute danger to life and health; to preclude situations wherein workers or other volunteers may be exposed to radiation for the purpose of rescuing items of material value during emergency situations; and to ensure the necessary investments in robotized or other techniques of intervention aimed at minimizing the exposure of workers.

3. The provision of alternative employment. With reference to paragraphs 28 to 34 and 35(d) of its 1992 General Observation under the Convention, and the principles reflected in paragraphs 96 and 238 of the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or contemplated to ensure effective protection of workers who have accumulated exposure beyond which an unacceptable risk of detriment is to occur and who may thus be faced with the dilemma that protecting their health means losing their employment.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1997.]