Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979 (No. 152) - Sweden (Ratification: 1980)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Application in practice. The Committee takes note of the statistical information provided by the Government on the total number of the workforce employed in dock work in 2022 (3,602 workers, including 3,053 men and 549 women). The Committee also notes that since 2017, the Swedish Work Environment Authority (SWEA) has conducted 231 inspections in the dock work cargo handling sector and received 278 reports on serious accidents and incidents within dock work; the main part implicating vehicles, machinery, falls or falling/flying objects, with one fatality recorded. In addition, 400 workplace accidents leading to sick leave and 37 cases of work-related diseases were reported. The Committee takes due note of the detailed figures provided and requests the Government to continue providing information on the practical application of the Convention. If applicable, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or envisaged to mitigate the number of occupational injuries and diseases in dock work.

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

The Committee notes the brief report submitted by the Government including a reference to information provided in the context of its application of the Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137).

Comments by the Swedish Transport Workers’ Union (STUW). With reference to observations submitted by STUW in 2002, both in relation to Convention No. 137 and the present Convention, the Committee notes that the Government agrees with STUW that prolonged stress has negative health consequences; that if, in addition, the workload is so heavy that the provisions cannot be implemented, there is a risk that accidents occur; and that risk assessments are important to prevent ill health and accidents. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide further information on whether and to what extent stress has been taken into account in the context of risk assessments made in the context of dock work in Swedish ports and the impact of such measures.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided regarding inspections carried out in the ports of Göteborg, Uddevalla, and Varberg, the requests for action to be taken and the statistical data concerning accidents at work for the period 2007–11, that are attached to the report of the Government on Convention No. 137. However, it notes that on the basis of the information provided, it is not possible to determine the number of accidents that are related to dockworkers. In the light of the foregoing, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information and the actions taken as a follow-up to the reported inspections carried out in the ports of Göteborg, Uddevalla and Varberg; the number of occupational accidents and diseases reported among dockworkers for the years 2007–11 and onwards; and any further relevant information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

The Committee notes the brief report submitted by the Government including reference to information provided in the context of its application of the Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137). It also notes the information that the following new legislation has been adopted which give further effect to the present Convention: Provisions on Dock Work (AFS 2001:9); Use of Work Equipment (AFS 2006:4); Use of Trucks (AFS 2006:5); Use of Lifting Gear and Lifting Equipment (AFS 2006:6); and Temporary Personnel Hoists using Cranes and Trucks (AFS 2006:7).

With reference to observations submitted by the Swedish Transport Workers’ Union (STUW) in 2002, the Committee notes that the Government has not yet commented on the concerns expressed by the STUW regarding increasing work-related stress in the ports due to increased efforts to improve the productivity and efficiency of dock work. In the STUW’s view all dock work on and around ro/ro vessels has become more hazardous as the requirement of swift handling makes it impossible for work to be done according to the regulations. In view of the potential dangers that the requited speed in handling could cause, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide its comments on the STUW observations.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee takes this occasion to bring to the Government’s attention a newly adopted ILO code of practice on safety and health in ports, Geneva, 2005. This code of practice is available, inter alia, through the ILO’s web site by following the link, www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cops/english/index.htm. In the light of the foregoing, including the observations by the STUW and the new legislation, the Committee requests the Government to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country, and to attach extracts from the reports of the inspection services, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of contraventions reported and the resulting action taken, as well as the number of occupational accidents and diseases reported.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee takes note of the Swedish Transport Workers Union’s (STWU) comments, received by the ILO in April 2002, on the Government’s latest report. The Government is requested to send its comments thereon.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the enclosed copy of the Swedish IKH 5.52.01 as well as the Swedish texts of several regulations. The Committee will examine these texts as soon as they are translated along with any further information the Government may wish to add concerning its previous comments based on the observation of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments referring to the remarks made by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), and the copies of the Dock Work (Amendment of Dock Work Directions) AFS 1993:47 and the Dock Work (Amendment of Dock Work Directions) AFS 1994:20, supplied with the Government's report.

Article 21 of the Convention. Further to its previous comments relating to the remarks of the LO concerning the repeal and non-replacement of Notice 1976:19, the Committee notes the Government's reply confirming its repeal but that those rules were solely of the nature of recommendations and were partly out of date. The Government indicates that the contents of these rules are now covered to all intents and purposes by the Swedish Standard IKH 5.52.01. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply a copy of the Swedish Standard IKH 5.52.01.

Article 17. The Committee notes the Government's reply to its previous comments which related to the remarks of the LO that dockworkers were obliged to use an ordinary ladder or a personal basket connected to a lifting device in place of ladders or access a ship's hold or cargo deck when such access were obstructed. The Committee notes the information that hoisting of personnel by cranes and other lifting devices is dealt with in AFS 1983:5, Hoisting of Persons by Cranes and Other Lifting Devices, and that hoisting of personnel with trucks is dealt with in AFS 1986:24, Trucks, the copies of both instruments are enclosed with the Government's report. In addition the Government indicates that these instruments make provision concerning inspection by an accredited control body of temporary personnel hoists using cranes and trucks, which it considers meet the requirements of Article 17, paragraph 1.

Article 39. The Committee notes the comments made by the LO contained in the Government's report, indicating that due to reasons such as a demand for an increased productivity and efficiency in dock work together with a continuous unemployment, stress related to work has increased. It considers that the desire of stevedore companies to cut down the organization has also added to the stress. It concludes that because of the fear of losing their jobs, dockworkers do not report near-accidents and incidents as usual. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide its views on this, bearing in mind that Article 39 of the Convention requires that, in order to assist the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, measures have to be taken to ensure that they are reported to the competent authority and, where necessary, investigated.

The Committee also notes the comments made by the LO concerning the lack of clarity in Swedish legislation as to whether the regulations for transport of hazardous goods are in force for dock work. The LO indicates that in practice, in most of the docks, the regulations for the transport of hazardous goods -- "ADR regulations" -- are not applied. With a view to clarifying its doubts, the LO is asking whether the transport roads in a dock area are to be considered as public roads intended for transport of hazardous goods. Such clarification will answer its question of whether dockworkers must have an "ADR certificate" in order to handle and transport hazardous goods, which certificate is required for transport of hazardous goods on shore. It is obtained after a special "ADR course" concerning transport of hazardous goods.

The Committee considers this question to concern the meaning of provisions of national legislation. Without pronouncing itself on the question of the meaning of provisions of national legislation on the matter, the Committee wishes to indicate that the following provisions of Convention No. 152 may be usefully kept in mind in addressing the question: Article 1 which includes any work incidental to the work of loading and unloading any ship within the definition of "dock work"; Article 4, paragraph 2(l), which provides for the measures to be to taken in pursuance of this Convention to cover dangerous substances and other hazards in the working environment; Article 10, paragraph 1, which, not being limited to dangerous goods, requires that all surfaces used for vehicle traffic to be suitable for the purpose and properly maintained; Article 11, paragraph 1, which, also not being limited to dangerous goods, requires that passageways of adequate width to be left to permit the safe use of vehicles and cargo-handling appliances; and Article 32, paragraphs 1 and 2, which require the packing, marking and labelling, handling, storing and stowing of any dangerous cargo to be in accordance with the relevant requirements of international regulations applying to the transport of dangerous goods by water and those dealing specifically with the handling of dangerous goods in ports.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report as well as the list of rules applicable within the scope of the Convention. The Committee notes the adoption, inter alia, of the Dock Work (Amendment of Directions No. 1: Dock Work) AFS 1993:47 and of the Dock Work (Amendment of Dock Work Directions) AFS 1994:20. Since these texts have not been sent with the last Government's report, the Committee asks the Government to provide copies of these texts.

The Committee notes the comments on the application of Articles 4, paragraph 1(b), 17 and 21 of the Convention made by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO). The LO points out that the message of the Board for Occupational Safety and Health 1976:19 which has not been valid since the end of September 1992 has not been replaced by other or new text dealing with the handling and attendance of cordage-slings and other slings, produced of natural or synthetic fibre, in spite of remarks by the Swedish Transport Workers' Union. The Government is requested to indicate measures taken to give effect to Article 21 with respect to this kind of sling.

The LO also indicates that in case of the use of a certain type of loading procedure it might occur that the means of access (ladders) are obstructed, and the dockworkers thus have to find their way into or out of the cargo space in another way, either with an ordinary ladder or with a personal basket, connected with a lifting appliance. The Government is requested to indicate the manner in which the competent authority determines the acceptability of means of access to a ship's hold or cargo deck in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 17.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1998.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

1. The Committee has taken note with interest of the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments and of the additional observations made by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).

2. The Committee has also taken note with interest of the regulations communicated by the Government with its report. Noting that regulations concerning lifting appliances and other parts of a ship's equipment are issued by the National Maritime Administration, the Committee asks the Government to provide copies of any new regulations with its next report.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1988, published 75th ILC session (1988)

1. The Committee notes the Government's reply to its previous comments and the documentation forwarded with its report. It also notes the information supplied concerning the application of the following provisions of the Convention: Article 12; Article 18, paragraphs 3 and 5; Article 22, paragraph 2; Article 25, paragraphs 2 and 3; Article 27, paragraphs 2 and 3; Article 28; Article 36, paragraph 3.

2. The Committee requests the Government to supply additional information on the following points:

(a)Article 26, paragraph 1 (a) and (b), of the Convention. Please indicate how effect is given to the above Article which lays down the means of ensuring the mutual recognition by Members which have ratified the Convention, of arrangements for the testing, thorough examination, inspection and certification of lifting appliances and items of loose gear forming part of a ship's equipment and of the records relating thereto.

(b)Article 36, paragraph 1 (a) to (c). The Committee notes with interest that a new Hazardous Substances Ordinance was adopted in 1985, and that another Ordinance respecting noise and an amendment to the Asbestos Ordinance were adopted in 1986 by the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health. The above Ordinances contain provisions regarding the special medical examinations that shall be carried out at regular intervals for workers exposed to these hazards as provided for in the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on any new measure that is adopted in this respect.

(c)Article 38, paragraph 2. In its previous request, the Committee requested the Government to indicate whether an 18-year age limit has been prescribed in national regulations for operators of lifting appliances, in conformity with this provision of the Convention. In its last report, the Government refers to Chapter 5, section 3, of the Working Environment Act (which provides that the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health may make regulations laying down conditions for the employment of young persons on work that involves a substantial risk of accidents or overstrain), and to the Minors Act Ordinance (No. 11) 1987, without, however, specifying the content of that Ordinance or supplying a copy of it. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to supply these details in its next report.

(d)The Committee also requests the Government to supply the text (if possible in translation) of the amendments made in 1986 (AFS: 18) and in 1987 (AFS: 7) to the Dock Work Directions (No. 1) that it refers to in its report (but which have not reached the Office).