Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Slovakia (Ratification: 1993)

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

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

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the annual report of the Regional Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic (RPHA) indicates that the number of persons exposed to selected carcinogenic and mutagenic factors dropped from 7,206 (in 403 workplaces) in 2011 to 3,993 (in 247 workplaces) in 2013, and that the RPHA carried out inspections in numerous sectors of economic activity in 2013, namely pharmaceutical operations, commercial companies, laundry companies and wood-processing factories. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed information on the application in practice of the Convention in the country, including information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number, nature and cause of cases of disease, and the number of workplaces concerned, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Article 1 of the Convention. Periodical determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that the Government refers to Act No. 67/2010 Coll., which stipulates the terms of use of chemicals, including carcinogens, and their placement on the market, and to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH). It indicates that the purpose of REACH is to ensure a high level of human and environmental health, including the promotion of alternative methods for the assessment of chemical hazards, as well as the free circulation of substances on the internal market. It adds that REACH includes in its appendix lists of carcinogenic substances. The Government also mentions lists of selected dangerous carcinogenic substances contained in annexes of Regulation (EC) No. 689/2008 concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals. However, the Committee cannot assess the effect given to this Article of the Convention, as the relevant legislation is not included in the report. Therefore, the Committee asks the Government to submit a copy of the relevant provisions of Act No. 67/2010 Coll., Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 and Regulation (EC) No. 689/2008, including the annexes, to the Office, in one of its official languages if possible. The Committee also requests the Government to provide additional information on the manner in which the carcinogenic substances and agents are periodically determined, particularly in light of the latest information contained in the codes of practice or guides which are established by the International Labour Office, as well as information from other competent bodies.

Article 2. Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that in its report, the Government indicates that the obligation for employers to provide measures to eliminate or reduce worker exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances to the lowest possible and achievable degree is formulated in section 40 of Act No. 355/2007 Coll. Furthermore, the Committee understands that under section 4 of GR No. 356/2006 Coll., employers have the obligation to restrict the use of carcinogenic or mutagenic substances, “if technically possible”, and replace these substances with substances, preparations or processes that are not hazardous, or less hazardous, to health or safety. It also understands that GR No. 356/2006 Coll. specified that employee exposure to carcinogens or mutagens must not exceed the technical values which are defined in the Government regulation. The Committee recalls that the Convention, for its part, requires that the number of workers exposed and the duration and degree of exposure shall be reduced to the “minimum compatible with safety”. The Committee considers that it cannot evaluate the effect given to this Article of the Convention without the relevant legislation. Consequently, the Committee asks the Government to communicate to the Office a copy of Government Regulation No. 356/2006 Coll., in one of its official languages if possible. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate how it determines the threshold defined as “technically possible”, how this threshold conforms to the required “minimum compatible with safety”, and the methods of evaluation.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes with interest that the number of workers engaged in hazardous work with carcinogenic substances dropped from 4,399 in 2005 to 2,800 in 2011, and that cases of workers exposed to selected carcinogenic and mutagenic factors in the workplace are registered by regional public health authorities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to give information on the application in practice of the Convention in the country, including information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, the number and nature of the contraventions reported and the number, nature and cause of cases of disease, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes with regret 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:

Repetition

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s reports and the attached legislation.

Article 1(1)–(3) of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(s)(13) of the Human Health Protection Act (No. 272 of 1994), Annex No. 3 to the Regulations (No. 45 of 2002) on health protection at work with chemical factors and the list attached to Decree No. 67 of 2002, determine the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure are prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on how effect is given to the requirement for a periodical determination of the substances and agents which should be subject to prohibition, authorization or control and whether any reference is made to the latest information contained in the codes of practice or guides which are established by the International Labour Office, as well as to information from other competent bodies.

Article 2(1). Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(t), paragraph 3 of Act No. 272/1994 on human health protection, which lays down the requirement of replacing chemical carcinogens as one of the principal measures which is mandatory, “as far as technically practicable”, employers shall be liable to limit uses of carcinogenic or mutagenic factors at workplace, in particular through replacing them by compounds, products or procedures which are not harmful or are less harmful for the health of the employees”. The Convention, for its part, requires that these be reduced to the “minimum compatible with safety”. As these concepts are not necessarily equivalent, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the criteria used in evaluating “technically practicable”, how these criteria conform to the required “minimum compatible with safety”, and the methods of evaluation.

Article 5. Post-employment medical examinations. The Committee notes that Annex 2 to Governmental Regulation No. 45/2002 on health protection at work with chemical factors provides for medical examinations for employees exposed to carcinogenic factors. It also notes that Order No. 2/1991 of the Ministry of Health for preventive examinations of workers carrying out works associated with high risk of occupational diseases, industrial poisoning or other health injury, provides for introductory, periodical and “employment termination” medical examinations. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision gives effect to the Convention which calls for medical examination or biological or other tests or investigations not only before and during the period of employment, but also thereafter, as are necessary to supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice and statistical information. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, including extracts from inspection reports and information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, or other measures which give effect to the Convention, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number nature and cause of cases of disease, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

The Committee notes with regret 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:

Repetition

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s reports and the attached legislation.

Article 1(1)–(3) of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(s)(13) of the Human Health Protection Act (No. 272 of 1994), Annex No. 3 to the Regulations (No. 45 of 2002) on health protection at work with chemical factors and the list attached to Decree No. 67 of 2002, determine the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure are prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on how effect is given to the requirement for a periodical determination of the substances and agents which should be subject to prohibition, authorization or control and whether any reference is made to the latest information contained in the codes of practice or guides which are established by the International Labour Office, as well as to information from other competent bodies.

Article 2(1). Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(t), paragraph 3 of Act No. 272/1994 on human health protection, which lays down the requirement of replacing chemical carcinogens as one of the principal measures which is mandatory, “as far as technically practicable”, employers shall be liable to limit uses of carcinogenic or mutagenic factors at workplace, in particular through replacing them by compounds, products or procedures which are not harmful or are less harmful for the health of the employees”. The Convention, for its part, requires that these be reduced to the “minimum compatible with safety”. As these concepts are not necessarily equivalent, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the criteria used in evaluating “technically practicable”, how these criteria conform to the required “minimum compatible with safety”, and the methods of evaluation.

Article 5. Post-employment medical examinations. The Committee notes that Annex 2 to Governmental Regulation No. 45/2002 on health protection at work with chemical factors provides for medical examinations for employees exposed to carcinogenic factors. It also notes that Order No. 2/1991 of the Ministry of Health for preventive examinations of workers carrying out works associated with high risk of occupational diseases, industrial poisoning or other health injury, provides for introductory, periodical and “employment termination” medical examinations. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision gives effect to the Convention which calls for medical examination or biological or other tests or investigations not only before and during the period of employment, but also thereafter, as are necessary to supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice and statistical information. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, including extracts from inspection reports and information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, or other measures which give effect to the Convention, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number nature and cause of cases of disease, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

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 contained in the Government’s reports and the attached legislation.

Article 1(1)–(3) of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(s)(13) of the Human Health Protection Act (No. 272 of 1994), Annex No. 3 to the Regulations (No. 45 of 2002) on health protection at work with chemical factors and the list attached to Decree No. 67 of 2002, determine the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure are prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on how effect is given to the requirement for a periodical determination of the substances and agents which should be subject to prohibition, authorization or control and whether any reference is made to the latest information contained in the codes of practice or guides which are established by the International Labour Office, as well as to information from other competent bodies.

Article 2(1). Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(t), paragraph 3 of Act No. 272/1994 on human health protection, which lays down the requirement of replacing chemical carcinogens as one of the principal measures which is mandatory, “as far as technically practicable”, employers shall be liable to limit uses of carcinogenic or mutagenic factors at workplace, in particular through replacing them by compounds, products or procedures which are not harmful or are less harmful for the health of the employees”. The Convention, for its part, requires that these be reduced to the “minimum compatible with safety”. As these concepts are not necessarily equivalent, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the criteria used in evaluating “technically practicable”, how these criteria conform to the required “minimum compatible with safety”, and the methods of evaluation.

Article 5. Post-employment medical examinations. The Committee notes that Annex 2 to Governmental Regulation No. 45/2002 on health protection at work with chemical factors provides for medical examinations for employees exposed to carcinogenic factors. It also notes that Order No. 2/1991 of the Ministry of Health for preventive examinations of workers carrying out works associated with high risk of occupational diseases, industrial poisoning or other health injury, provides for introductory, periodical and “employment termination” medical examinations. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision gives effect to the Convention which calls for medical examination or biological or other tests or investigations not only before and during the period of employment, but also thereafter, as are necessary to supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice and statistical information. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, including extracts from inspection reports and information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, or other measures which give effect to the Convention, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number nature and cause of cases of disease, etc.

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

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 contained in the Government’s reports and the attached legislation.

Article 1, paragraphs 1–3, of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(s)(13) of the Human Health Protection Act (No. 272 of 1994), Annex No. 3 to the Regulations (No. 45 of 2002) on health protection at work with chemical factors and the list attached to Decree No. 67 of 2002, determine the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure are prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on how effect is given to the requirement for a periodical determination of the substances and agents which should be subject to prohibition, authorization or control and whether any reference is made to the latest information contained in the codes of practice or guides which are established by the International Labour Office, as well as to information from other competent bodies.

Article 2, paragraph 1. Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(t), paragraph 3 of Act No. 272/1994 on human health protection, which lays down the requirement of replacing chemical carcinogens as one of the principal measures which is mandatory, “as far as technically practicable”, employers shall be liable to limit uses of carcinogenic or mutagenic factors at workplace, in particular through replacing them by compounds, products or procedures which are not harmful or are less harmful for the health of the employees”. The Convention, for its part, requires that these be reduced to the “minimum compatible with safety”. As these concepts are not necessarily equivalent, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the criteria used in evaluating “technically practicable”, how these criteria conform to the required “minimum compatible with safety”, and the methods of evaluation.

Article 5. Post-employment medical examinations. The Committee notes that Annex 2 to Governmental Regulation No. 45/2002 on health protection at work with chemical factors provides for medical examinations for employees exposed to carcinogenic factors. It also notes that Order No. 2/1991 of the Ministry of Health for preventive examinations of workers carrying out works associated with high risk of occupational diseases, industrial poisoning or other health injury, provides for introductory, periodical and “employment termination” medical examinations. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision gives effect to the Convention which calls for medical examination or biological or other tests or investigations not only before and during the period of employment, but also thereafter, as are necessary to supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice and statistical information. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, including extracts from inspection reports and information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, or other measures which give effect to the Convention, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number nature and cause of cases of disease, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s reports and the attached legislation.

2. Article 1, paragraphs 1-3, of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(s)(13) of the Human Health Protection Act (No. 272 of 1994), Annex No. 3 to the Regulations (No. 45 of 2002) on health protection at work with chemical factors and the list attached to Decree No. 67 of 2002, determine the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure are prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on how effect is given to the requirement for a periodical determination of the substances and agents which should be subject to prohibition, authorization or control and whether any reference is made to the latest information contained in the codes of practice or guides which are established by the International Labour Office, as well as to information from other competent bodies.

3. Article 2, paragraph 1. Replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee notes that section 13(t), paragraph 3 of Act No. 272/1994 on human health protection, which lays down the requirement of replacing chemical carcinogens as one of the principal measures which is mandatory, “as far as technically practicable”, employers shall be liable to limit uses of carcinogenic or mutagenic factors at workplace, in particular through replacing them by compounds, products or procedures which are not harmful or are less harmful for the health of the employees”. The Convention, for its part, requires that these be reduced to the “minimum compatible with safety”. As these concepts are not necessarily equivalent, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the criteria used in evaluating “technically practicable”, how these criteria conform to the required “minimum compatible with safety”, and the methods of evaluation.

4. Article 5. Post-employment medical examinations. The Committee notes that Annex 2 to Governmental Regulation No. 45/2002 on health protection at work with chemical factors provides for medical examinations for employees exposed to carcinogenic factors. It also notes that Order No. 2/1991 of the Ministry of Health for preventive examinations of workers carrying out works associated with high risk of occupational diseases, industrial poisoning or other health injury, provides for introductory, periodical and “employment termination” medical examinations. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether this provision gives effect to the Convention which calls for medical examination or biological or other tests or investigations not only before and during the period of employment, but also thereafter, as are necessary to supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards.

5. Part IV of the report form. Application in practice and statistical information. The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, including extracts from inspection reports and information concerning the number of workers covered by the legislation, disaggregated by gender, if possible, or other measures which give effect to the Convention, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, the number nature and cause of cases of disease, etc.