Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - Italy (Ratification: 1985)

The Committee notes with interest the information provided in the Government's report in reply to its previous comments, in particular concerning Articles 4, 9, 10, 12, and 15 of the Convention.

Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3. The Committee notes with interest the Government's reply to its previous comments following the observations made by the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) and the Italian Confederation of Workers' Unions (CISL) and the Italian Union of Labour (UIL), concerning the exclusion of workers in the maritime and air navigation sectors from the scope of application of the relevant legislation. The Government indicates that Legislative Decree 626 of 19/9/94 (recognizing EEC Directives 89/654, 89/655, 89/656, 90/269, 90/270, 90/394, 90/679) in its section 1, paragraph 1 does not provide for any sector to be excluded from its scope, but that paragraph 2 of the same section offers the possibility for some sectors such as air and maritime transport to have the application of the same standards adapted to their particular situations by Decrees of the Ministries of Transport and Shipping. To that end Act No. 485 of 31 December 1998 provided for the setting up of a government mission to prepare the issuance of one or more Legislative Decrees to adapt these standards to the requirements of national merchant ships and fishing vessels. With the agreement of the shipowners' association and the workers' unions in the maritime sector, an outline of the Legislative Decree dealing with occupational safety and health, including air pollution, noise and vibration on board ships, has been drawn up. Please provide to the Office copies of the Legislative Decrees when they are adopted.

Article 8, paragraph 1. The Committee notes the Government's report does not contain replies to its previous comments. It recalls that according to the Government's earlier report, the Ministry of Health, through the Higher European Institute for Prevention and Safety (ISPELS) had established records in order to supervise exposure of workers to risks and to assess these risks on the basis of a procedure which was then being formulated. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Article 8, paragraphs 2 and 3. Further to its previous comments following the observation made by the CGIL, the Committee notes the Government statement that Italian preventive legislation was introduced to reduce workers' exposure to the lowest levels of pollution or risk that can technically be attained, and that in any event, Italy will, by 22 February 2000 recognize EEC Directive 98/24 which provides for the establishment of exposure ceilings for chemical agents. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would nonetheless provide the information previously requested regarding indications on whether the opinion of technically competent persons designated by the most representative organizations of employers and workers is taken into consideration by the competent authority in the elaboration of the criteria and the determination of exposure limits, and in what manner. It also reiterates its previous request for a description of the procedures by which the criteria and exposure limits to air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment are supplemented and revised at regular intervals in the light of new national and international knowledge and data.

Article 13. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments. Please furnish a copy of the previously requested 1992 Agreement, or any replacing Agreement, signed by the General Confederation of Industry (CONFINDUSTIA) and the CGIL, the CISL and the UIL, providing for the establishment of an observatory of which one function is to promote initiatives in the field of vocational training in occupational health and safety.