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

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Spain (Ratification: 1924)

Legislation. Self-employed workers. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning Act No. 20/2007 of 11 July 2007, containing the Self-employed Workers’ Charter, section 8 of which establishes the legal framework on the prevention of occupational risks for self-employed workers. The Government indicates that this group of workers also carries out painting work involving exposure to sulphate of lead. The Committee notes that this section provides that the competent authorities shall promote specific prevention training adapted to the specific characteristics of self-employed workers and also covers the right to abandon the workplace when the worker considers that the activity entails a serious and imminent danger, as well as establishing the duty to cooperate and provide information and training in the event that self-employed workers carry out work in the same workplace as workers from another company or companies. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the application of these provisions in practice.

Article 7 and Part V of the report form. Application in practice. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that in 2006, two workers were diagnosed with occupational diseases caused by lead, whereas in 2002 there were 47 cases. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the possible reasons for this decrease.