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

Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) - Lebanon (Ratification: 2006)

The Committee notes with regret 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

Article 1 of the Convention. Exclusion of branches of economic activity and consultations with the most representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating the branches of economic activity that are excluded from the application of the Convention by section 7 of the Labour Code. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on measures in place to give adequate protection to workers in excluded branches, measures taken towards a wider application of the Convention, and to indicate consultations undertaken with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, as required under Article 1(2).

Article 2. Definitions. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided specific information on measures that define the terms specified under Article 2. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the definitions in law of the terms specified under this Article.

Articles 3 and 4. Consultations with the most representative organizations of employers and workers on the application of the Convention and the formulation, implementation and periodical review of a coherent policy on safety in the use of chemicals at work. The Committee, with reference to its comments under the Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148), on the establishment of a National Tripartite Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, hopes that the Government will undertake consultations with the most representative organizations of employers and workers on the application of the Convention and the formulation, implementation and periodical review of a coherent policy on safety in the use of chemicals at work.

Articles 6, 8 and 9. Classification systems, chemical safety data sheets, and responsibilities of suppliers. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided information on specific measures ensuring that effect is given to these provisions of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the measures undertaken or envisaged to give full effect to Articles 6, 8 and 9 of the Convention.

Articles 7(1)–(3) and 10(1). Marking of all chemicals. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided information on measures ensuring that all chemicals are marked, and that employers shall ensure that all chemicals used at work, not just those that are hazardous, are marked. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the measures undertaken or envisaged to give full effect to Article 7(1) and (3), and Article 10(1).

Articles 10(3), 13(2)(c), 15(b)–(c), and 16. Responsibilities of employers. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided information on the specific measures to give effect to these provisions of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to indicate measures taken or envisaged to ensure that employers are required to give effect to Article 10(3), Article 13(2)(c), Article 15(b)–(c), and Article 16.

Article 18(2). Right of workers to be protected against undue consequences. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that, in accordance with section 58 of Decree No. 11802, workers shall remove themselves from any place at work when they have reasonable justification to believe there is an imminent and serious risk to their safety or health. The Committee asks the Government to indicate measures undertaken or envisaged to ensure that workers are protected against undue consequences when they have had recourse to section 58 of Decree No. 11802.

Article 19. Responsibility of exporting States. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to section 52 of Decree No. 11802 which specifies that if the use of chemicals, technologies and dangerous processes is prohibited in an exporting country, employers shall be required to obtain all the necessary information on their danger and use. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure that in cases of export of chemicals subjected to regulations for reasons of safety and health at work, this fact and the reasons therefore is communicated to any importing country.

Application in practice. The Committee asks the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country and to attach extracts from inspection reports and, where such statistics exist, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, and the number, nature and cause of accidents reported.