Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - Sweden (Ratification: 1978)

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

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on occupational safety and health (OSH), the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 13 (white lead (painting)), 115 (radiation), 119 (guarding of machinery), 139 (occupational cancer), 148 (air pollution, noise and vibration), 155 (OSH), 161 (occupational health services), 162 (asbestos), 167 (safety and health in construction), 170 (chemicals), 174 (prevention of major industrial accidents), 176 (safety and health in mines), 184 (safety and health in agriculture) and 187 (promotional framework for OSH) together.

The Committee notes the observations on Convention No. 155 and No. 187 of the Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees (TCO), Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (SACO) and Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) transmitted by the Government.

General provisions

The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report provided in response to its previous request concerning Article 3(2)of Convention No. 187 (promotion and advancement to a safe and healthy environment), Article 4(3)(e) (on research on OSH), Article 4(3)(f) (mechanism for the collection and analysis of data) and 4(3)(g) (provisions for collaboration with relevant insurance or social security schemes).

Application in practice of Conventions No. 155 and 187. In response to the Committee's previous request, the Committee notes the information provided in the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s (SWEA) Report on Occupational accidents and work-related diseases (Arbetsmiljöstatistik Rapport 2023:01), noting that the number of notified occupational diseases reported in 2022 was approximately 16,600, a decrease of 44 per cent compared to 2021, and that occupational accidents with sick leave also decreased from 2021 to 2022 (from approximately 39,000 to 35,400). It notes that approximately 69,000 occupational accidents without sick leave were reported in 2022, a marginal decrease compared to 2021, but still an increase compared to 2020 and 2019. It also notes that 40 fatal accidents at work were reported in 2022, compared with 39 in 2021, 24 in 2020 and 36 in 2019. The Committee notes that the most common causes of reported occupational diseases in 2021 were chemical and biological factors (including COVID-19 infections), followed by organisational and social factors and ergonomic load factors. The Government also indicates that, compared to other EU countries, Sweden has proportionally one of the lowest numbers of fatal accidents since 2012. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the application in practice of the ratified OSH Conventions, including the number, sector, nature and cause of occupational accidents and diseases reported, as well as information on the inspection activities carried out, including the number of investigations and inspections conducted and the number of violations detected, corrective measures applied and the penalties imposed.

National policy

Article 4(1) of Convention No. 155 and Articles 2(1), 3(1), 3(2) and 5(1) of Convention No. 187. Promoting the continuous improvement of OSH by developing a national policy, national system and national programme. Following its previous request, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the Work Environment Strategy for Modern Working Life 2016-20 was designed to serve as a policy instrument, defining strategies and assignments to achieve specific and broader goals related to the work environment policy. The Government indicates that the Strategy was evaluated by the Agency for Public Management (APM). The Committee notes that, amongst the conclusions, the APM stated that the strategy had strengthened the implementation of the work environment policy; the social partners had been involved through dialogue forums; and that cooperation between authorities had increased. The Committee also notes that the APM concluded that there was room for improvements and that strategic efforts could be run more effectively. Amongst other things, the APM considered that the Government should: define more concrete goals for the priority areas, establishing timeframes and follow-ups for the chosen strategy; review and develop the working methods in dialogue forums; remove obstacles to effective cooperation between authorities; and improve the coordination of work environment issues between different policy areas. In addition, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government with regard to the Work Environment Strategy for 2021-25, adopted with the goal of providing good working conditions and creating work environments that prevent illness and accidents, stops people being excluded from working life, takes people’s differing circumstances into account and fosters the development of individuals and operations. The Government indicates that the conclusions of the APM were taken into account in producing the new strategy and as a result, it contains more clearly delimited areas and concrete priority areas. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Work Environment Strategy for 2021-25 as well asmeasures adopted to ensure the promotion and advancement, at all relevant levels, of the right of workers to a safe and healthy working environment.

Article 4(1) of Convention No. 155 and Articles 3(3) and 4(3)(a) of Convention No. 187. Consultation on national policy. National tripartite advisory body, or bodies, addressing OSH issues. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the SWEA consults with social partners through different forms, such as the SWEA’s central consultation group, with is composed by ten workers’ and employers’ organisations and reunites at least four times per year. The Government also indicates that stakeholder meetings are conducted with authorities, industry organisations and actors within occupational health care. It states that partnerships are established with universities and research groups in the area of occupational safety and health, in order to discuss the possibilities for cooperation and information exchange. In addition, the Government indicates that reference groups linked to specific projects (such as on the organizational and social work environment of members of the LGBTQ community) are formed with relevant authorities and organisations, holding meetings twice a year. Lastly, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, although social partners have been consulted in dialogue forums, the APM assessed that an improvement of the consultation can be achieve through more action-oriented meetings. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made to integrate the conclusions of APM into consultations held with regional social partners with a view to promoting the development of a national preventative OSH culture.

Article 5(e) of Convention No. 155. Protection of workers and their representatives from disciplinary measures. Given the absence of information in this regard, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on how individual workers without OSH responsibilities are protected from disciplinary measures when they take actions properly and in conformity with national policy.

National s ystem

Article 4(3)(d) of Convention No. 187. Occupational health services. In relation to its previous request on occupational health services, the Committee refers to its comment below on the Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161).

Article 4(3)(h) of Convention No. 187. Support mechanism for progressive improvement of OSH conditions in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the informal economy. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning its focus on combating workplace violations through joint authority controls and collaboration with other agencies and labour market partners, and that specific initiatives include establishing regional centres against workplace crime and participating in international cooperation efforts. It informs that small enterprises are the target group for the SWEA efforts within the Vision Zero strategy to end with work-related deaths. The Committee further notes the observations from LO, SACO and TCO, which highlights that the knowledge of preventative work, so that deficiencies in the work environment do not arise, is low especially among small and medium-sized employers. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on measures taken or envisaged to progressively improve OSH conditions in small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal economy, including with a view to ensuring that employers in SMEs are informed of necessary prevention measures.

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161)

Application of Convention No. 161 in practice. The Committee notes that, according to the observations from LO, SACO and TCO, there are shortages of occupational health care with many employers. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication, in response to its previous request, that the Agency for Work Environment Expertise, the national knowledge centre for issues related to the work environment, is responsible for following and promoting the development of occupational health services. It also notes that ongoing initiatives in the field of occupational health services include the coordination of the supply of doctors for occupational health care and measures to promote relevant training initiatives in the area; and the development of further guidelines for an evidence-based practice in occupational health care. Further, the Committee notes the Government’s information that an occupational health care cooperation group was established by the SWEA, with representatives from professional associations for physicians, nurses, ergonomists, work environment engineers and psychologists in occupational health care, as well as from the industry organization Sweden's Occupational Health. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Convention in practice to develop progressively occupational health services for all workers.

Protection against specific risks

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13)

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that, according to section 3 of the Work Environment Authority’s Regulation on Chemical Hazards in the Working Environment (AFS 2011:19), the Convention is given effect by Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), which regulates undertakings that manufacture, import or use chemical substances or preparations and restricts the addition of certain specific lead compounds to paints intended for use by the general public. The Committee notes this information, which responds to its previous request.

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115)

Articles 3(1) and 6 of the Convention. All appropriate steps to ensure the effective protection of workers, in the light of available knowledge and maximum permissible doses of ionising radiation. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the entry into force of the Radiation Protection Act (2018:396), which regulates workers’ exposure to ionising radiation in its chapter 4, and the Radiation Protection Ordinance (2018:506), which sets dose limits for practices involving ionising radiation (chapter 2). The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government that the SWEA’s provisions on occupational exposure limit values (AFS 2018:1) set limit values for the exposition of workers to radon in the workplace, also establishing measures for the protection of workers (chapter 4). In addition, the Committee notes that the Radiation Protection Ordinance provides for the need to periodically evaluate the reference levels set out in the regulations (chapter 3, section 13) and that other provisions concerning the protection of workers are established by the Radiation Safety Authority’s Regulations on permit-required activities with ionising radiation (SSMFS 2018:1) and on notifiable activities (SSMFS 2018:2). The Committee notes this information, which responds to its previous request.

Article 14. Discontinuation of assignment to work involving exposure to ionising radiation pursuant to medical advice and alternative employment. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the Regulations on Job Modification (AFS 2020:5) provide, in section 4, that the employer shall at all times consider whether any of the employees require job modification, which is carried out in the form of dialogue between the parties. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the provisions of the Regulations on Job Modification (AFS 2020:5) to workers for whom it is medically inadvisable to continue work involving occupational exposure to ionising radiation.

Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119)

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that in 2020 and 2021 the most common cause of occupational accidents with absenteeism for men was accidents caused by loss of control over machinery, tools or transport equipment. The Government also indicates that a supervision project carried out from 2018-2022 had a focus (among others) on handheld machines (2018-2019) and machine safety (2020-2022), and included approximately 4,900 workplace visits. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including the number of occupational accidents related to machinery and the measures taken to address them.

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139)

Article 5 of the Convention. Medical examinations during the period of employment and thereafter. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the Regulations on Medical Checks in Working Life (AFS 2019:3) contain provisions on medical examinations for workers exposed to chemicals, including health surveillance needed when a worker has been exposed to carcinogens or mutagens. According to section 81 of the Regulations, workers who have been exposed to carcinogens or mutagenic substances may be subject to health examinations by a physician or the body responsible for the health examination such workers as long as deemed necessary, even after the exposure has ceased. The Committee notes this information, which responds to its previous request.

Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148)

Article 11(3) and (4) of the Convention. Efforts to provide the worker with suitable alternative employment or to maintain his income. Rights under social security or social insurance. The Committee notes that the Regulations on Job Modification (AFS 2020:5) have repealed the Regulation on Job Adaptation and Rehabilitation (AFS 1994:1), and that its section 4 stipulates that the employer shall at all times consider whether any of the employees require a job modification, with the aim of enabling an employee with impaired ability to perform normal work to continue working or to return to work, in order to help the employee return to work after sick leave or to avoid illness and sick leave. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that the rights of transferred workers under social security and social insurance legislation are not adversely affected, in accordance with Article 11(4) of the Convention.

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162)

Article 21(1) of the Convention. Medical examinations to diagnose occupational diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. The Committee notes that section 39 of the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s Regulations on Medical Checks in Working Life (AFS 2019:3) provides that employers shall arrange medical check-ups with assessment for certificates of fitness for service for those employees who will be exposed to asbestos and for those exposed to asbestos-containing dust for more than 50 hours per calendar year. However, the Committee notes that there are no provisions to ensure that workers continue to receive appropriate medical examinations after the termination of an assignment involving exposure to asbestos. Taking note of section 81 of the Regulations on Medical Checks in Working Life (AFS 2019:3), the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken in practice to supervise the health of workers after the termination of an assignment involving exposure to asbestos, in accordance with Article 21(1) of the Convention.

Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170)

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the application of the national legislation giving effect to this Convention in practice, including any statistics on violations reported, penalties imposed and occupational accidents and cases of occupational diseases (including cases of chronic occupational poisoning) reported as being caused by exposure to chemical substances.

Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention, 1993 (No. 174)

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government about the adoption of the Ordinance on Measures to Prevent and Limit the Consequences of Serious Chemical Accidents (2015:236), which is the transposition of the EU Directive Seveso III (Directive 2012/18/EU) and contains provisions on the enforcement of the Act on Measures to Prevent and Limit the Consequences of Serious Chemical Accidents (1999:381). The Committee notes this information, which responds to its previous request.

Articles 4(2) and 18 of the Convention. Inspection to ensure compliance with national laws and regulations. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on inspections of facilities: out of 202 upper tier facilities (handling hazardous substances above a certain level), 118 were inspected in 2022, representing 58 per cent of the total. This represents a decrease compared to previous years, with inspection rates in these facilities of 68 per cent in 2021 and 65 per cent in 2020. However, out of 192 low-tier facilities (handling hazardous substances lower in amounts lower than the high qualifying quantity), 72 were inspected in 2022, representing 38 per cent of facilities, an increase compared to previous years, with inspection rates of 27 per cent in 2021 and 32 per cent in 2020. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide statistics related to application of the Convention in practice, including the number of inspections undertaken, the contraventions reported and the resulting action taken.

Protection in specific branches of activity

Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167)

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that 19 per cent of the industries inspected in 2022 belonged to the construction sector, which was also amongst those most frequently subjected to penalty fees resulting from labour inspections. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures adopted to ensure the application of this Convention in practice, including the number of occupational accidents and cases of occupational diseases recorded in the construction sector, including the number of fatalities and serious injuries.

Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176)

Articles 13(1)(a), (b) and (e) of the Convention. Report of accidents, the right to request and obtain inspections, and the right to removal from any location which poses a serious danger. Following its previous comment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the Work Environment Act (AML), which establishes that employees who identify an immediate and serious danger to life or health in their work environment must immediately inform either their employer or a safety representative (chapter 3, section 4). It also notes that employers must notify the SWEA in the event of death or severe personal injury that has occurred in connection with the performance of the work, as stipulated in section 2 of the Work Environment Ordinance (1977:1166). Additionally, the Committee notes that the AML also grants safety representatives the authority to request investigations to assess work conditions (chapter 6, section 6a). However, the Committee reiterates that equivalent rights are not extended to workers. Therefore, the Committee requests the Government once again to provide information on the measures adopted or envisaged to ensure that workers have the right to: (i) report accidents, dangerous occurrences and hazards to the employer and to the competent authority; (ii) request and obtain, where there is cause for concern on safety and health grounds, inspections and investigations to be conducted by the employer and the competent authority; and (iii) remove themselves from any location at the mine when circumstances arise which appear, with reasonable justification, to pose a serious danger to their safety or health.

Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184)

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that agriculture, forestry and fishing are amongst the sectors with the most fatal accidents at work in the period 2012–2021 (with 6.6 fatal accidents at work per 100,000 employed), with a majority of the self-employed who died being active in agriculture and forestry. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures it is taking to strengthen the application of the Convention with a view to preventing accidents and injury to health in the agricultural working environment.

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

The Committee notes the joint observations made by the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO), the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (SACO), received on 10 November 2014. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in this respect.

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the entry into force of numerous regulations of the Swedish Work Environment Authority, namely on asbestos (AFS 2014:27), medical surveillance in working life (AFS 2014:23) and on occupational exposure limit values (AFS 2011:18). It also notes the information provided on the effect given to Article 11(1)–(2) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regard to the application of the Convention.

Article 11(3) and (4) of the Convention. Efforts to provide the worker with suitable alternative employment or to maintain his income. Rights under social security or social insurance. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that under the Regulation on job adaptation and rehabilitation (AFS 1994:1), a worker must be offered job adaptation when it is not medically appropriate for them to continue work involving exposure to air pollution, noise or vibrations. Specifically, section 8 provides that job adaptation and rehabilitation must be carried out in cooperation with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, and other affected agencies, while section 12 states that the working situation of the worker must be adapted by the employer on the basis of their capacity to perform their tasks at work. However, the Committee notes, once again, that the Government has not provided information on the measures taken to ensure that the rights of transferred workers under social security and social insurance legislation are not adversely affected, in accordance with Article 11(4) of the Convention. Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken, in law and practice, to give effect to this provision of the Convention.

Application of the Convention in practice. In response to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the outcome of the 2005 Work Environment Authority noise campaign and on the 2006 follow-up. It notes in particular that by 2006, 90 per cent of the workplaces had complied with the stipulations imposed by inspectors during the 2005 campaign. It also notes that noise and vibration campaigns were carried out in 2010 and 2012 and that an inspection initiative focused on the education sector was launched in 2013 and is set to end in 2016. Furthermore, the Committee notes that national measurement projects on hand-held vibrating machinery were carried out in 2012 and 2013, with 18 stipulations imposed on a total of 53 workplaces and 180 machines inspected in 2012, and 50 workplaces and 100 machines inspected in 2013. The Committee also notes the Government’s indications on the number of workers affected by noise and vibration legislation, disaggregated by gender. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the noise and vibration campaigns, and on the outcome of these campaigns. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including information on the number of workers covered by the legislation and the number and nature of contraventions reported.

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

The Committee notes, as indicated in the Government’s report on the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), the information provided on recent amendments to Chapter 3, sections 6 and 7, of the Work Environment Act, with regard to two or more employers undertaking activities simultaneously at one workplace, giving full effect to Article 6(2) of the Convention. The Committee also notes the clarification provided indicating that the Swedish Work Environment Authority is the competent authority referred to in Article 12. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures taken for the prevention and control of, and protection against, occupational hazards in the working environment due to air pollution, noise and vibration.

Article 11, paragraphs 1 and 2. Medical examinations. The Committee notes that in accordance with sections 16–18 of the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulation on noise (AFS 2005:16), employees exposed to noise shall be offered hearing examinations if they are exposed to noise which equals or exceeds any of the lower or upper limit values, or have been exposed to the same situation as another employee who has been shown to have hearing damage from noise exposure at the workplace and that, according to sections 12 and 13 of the regulation on vibrations (AFS 2005:15), employees shall be offered a medical examination if they are exposed to vibrations exceeding the limit values; if the exposure is such that there are reasons to suspect that harmful effects on health can occur; or if they have been exposed to the same situation as another employee who has been shown to have signs of vibration injury. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the application of the abovementioned regulations on medical examinations in practice for exposure to noise and vibrations, i.e. the number of workers that are effectively offered medical examinations free of charge.

Article 11, paragraphs 3 and 4. Alternative employment or other measures offered for maintaining income where continued assignment to work involving exposure to air pollution, noise and vibration is medically inadvisable. The Committee notes the Government’s response indicating that, with respect to noise, an employer shall consider the possibility of assigning a worker with hearing damage, which a doctor or specialist judges likely to have resulted from noise exposure at the workplace, to alternative work where there is no risk of further exposure, and that, with respect to vibration, there is no requirement on the employer but a recommendation that it is not appropriate for an employee to continue with work entailing vibration if serious vibration damage is suspected or established. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure the rights of transferred workers under social security or social insurance legislation are not adversely affected. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the effect given to Article 11(3) and (4) of the Convention in national law and practice with respect to air pollution, noise and vibration.

Part IV of the report form. Labour inspection. The Committee notes that in response to the Committee’s query regarding the application of the Convention in practice, the Government refers to the 2005 Swedish Work Environment Authority noise campaign, which involved the inspection – based on the new regulation on noise (AFS 2005:16) – of 1,828 enterprises, mainly within the manufacturing industry, during one week. The Committee notes that these inspections resulted in 5,824 stipulations to 1,292 enterprises. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the problems identified during this campaign focusing on noise, and measures taken to address these problems. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including information on the number of workers covered by the legislation disaggregated by gender, if available, and the number and nature of contraventions reported.

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

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

2. Article 4 of the Convention. National legislation. The Committee notes with interest the numerous legislative measures undertaken and notes with respect to air pollution the adoption of the Provisions on occupational exposure limit values and measures against air contaminants (AFS 2005:17). It also notes the adoption of the Provisions on microbiological risks in the working environment: infections, toxic effects and hyper sensitivity (AFS 2005:1). The Committee also refers to its comments of this year under the Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139). With respect to noise and vibration at the workplace, the Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Provisions on noise (AFS 2005:16) and Provisions on vibrations (AFS 2005:15) providing exposure limits for noise and vibration. It further notes the Government’s statement that exposure limits are regularly revised in the light of current national and international knowledge. It also notes that regulations have been issued concerning personal protective equipment (AFS 2001:3) and notes the Government’s statement that with respect to air pollution, preventive measures shall always be taken to ensure that these exposure limits are not exceeded and if that is not possible, the protective equipment shall be used as a last resort. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to supplement and revise the exposure limits for air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment.

3. Article 6, paragraph 2. Two or more employers undertaking activities simultaneously at one workplace. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information in its next report on measures taken to ensure that whenever two or more employers undertake activities simultaneously at one workplace, they have the duty to collaborate in order to apply measures adopted with respect to air pollution, noise and vibration at the workplace.

4. Article 11, paragraphs 1 and 2. Medical examinations. The Committee notes that AFS 2005:17, AFS 2005:16, AFS 2005:15 and Provisions on medical examinations in working life (AFS 2005:6) provide that medical examinations are free of cost to the worker concerned. However, the Committee notes that section 16 of AFS 2005:16 and section 12 of AFS 2005:15 provide that employers shall offer medical examinations when there are reasons to believe that harmful effects to health may occur from noise and vibrations. The Committee recalls that the competent authority should determine the conditions and circumstances under which such supervision is to be provided under the Convention and that supervision is also to include a pre-assignment medical examination and periodical examinations thereafter. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in its next report on which body constitutes the competent authority and to indicate particulars of the circumstances determined by the competent authority in which supervision of the health of workers required in order to ensure that workers exposed or liable to be exposed to occupational hazards due to air pollution, noise and vibration are provided with pre-assignment and periodical examinations thereafter, free of cost to the worker concerned.

5. Article 11, paragraphs 3 and 4. Alternative employment or other measures offered for maintaining income where continued assignment to work involving exposure to air pollution, noise and vibration is medically inadvisable. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information in this respect and therefore requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on measures taken to ensure alternative employment for workers who, for health reasons, are required to discontinue work with air pollution, noise or vibration, or measures taken or envisaged to enable them to maintain their income otherwise through social security.

6. Article 12. Competent authority. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the responsible authority for noise is the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and that the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health (Arbetsmiljöverket) has been renamed “the Work Environment Authority”. The Committee asks the Government to provide additional information in its next report on any measures taken or envisaged by the authorities in relation to air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment.

7. Article 16 and Part IV of the report form. Labour inspection. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report extracts from labour inspection services reports, statistics on the number of workers covered by the legislation disaggregated by gender, if available, the number and nature of contraventions reported, as well as any other information allowing the Committee to assess more accurately how the Convention is applied in practice in the country.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee takes note of the legislation appended to the Government’s report which had been requested in the Committee’s previous comments, namely Ventilation and Air Quality (AFS 1993:5), Measures Against Air Contaminations for the Prevention of Ill-Health (AFS 1993:7), and Occupational Exposure Limit Values (AFS 1996:2). The Committee notes that the above texts have not yet been translated into English. The Committee will therefore examine these texts once the English version is available.

The Committee requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice in the country, providing, for instance, extracts from reports of the authority or authorities responsible for the application of the Convention (Part IV of the report form).

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

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 has taken note with interest of the detailed information supplied by the Government in its report, including the reply to the previous direct requests. The Committee would appreciate it if copies of Ordinance AFS 1993:5 on Ventilation and Air Quality, Ordinance AFS 1993:7 on Measures against Air Contaminants (Amendment to Ordinance AFS 1980:11), and Ordinance AFS 1993:9 on Occupational Exposure Limit Values would be supplied with the next report.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee has taken note with interest of the detailed information supplied by the Government in its report, including the reply to the previous direct requests. The Committee would appreciate it if copies of Ordinance AFS 1993:5 on Ventilation and Air Quality, Ordinance AFS 1993:7 on Measures against Air Contaminants (Amendment to Ordinance AFS 1980:11), and Ordinance AFS 1993:9 on Occupational Exposure Limit Values would be supplied with the next report.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes with interest that the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health has issued Ordinance AFS 1986:15 on Noise. The Government is requested to provide further information on the following points:

Article 8 of the Convention. In its report for 1986, the Government indicated that the regulations of the National Administration of Shipping and Navigation concerning hygienic limit values were based on the Directions issued by the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health. The Government further stated that, as these Directions have been replaced by a new Ordinance on Hygienic Limit Values (AFS 1984:5), the National Administration of Shipping and Navigation regulations were being revised so as accurately to reflect the provisions of the new Ordinance. In its latest report, the Government has indicated that the Ordinance on Hygienic Limit Values has again been revised by Ordinances AFS 1987:12 and AFS 1989:4 on Occupational Exposure Limit Values. The Government is requested to indicate whether the provisions of these new Ordinances have been reflected in the National Administration of Shipping and Navigation regulations and, if so, to supply a copy of the new regulations. The Government is also requested to supply copies of Ordinance AFS 1987:12 and Ordinance AFS 1989:4 in its next report.

The Committee notes that the General Recommendations concerning the application of Ordinance AFS 1986:7 on vibrations from hand-held machines does not provide for any exposure limits to be set. The Committee would recall that Chapter 6 of the ILO Code of Practice on Protection of Workers Against Noise and Vibration in the Working Environment states that vibration limits should be set and reviewed from time to time in the light of new scientific knowledge, technical progress and possibilities of prevention. In this regard, the Government is referred to the ISO Standards for Mechanical Vibration - Guidelines for the Measurement and the Assessment of Human Exposure to Hand-Transmitted Vibration (ISO No. 5349 of 1986). The Government is requested to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to specify exposure limits concerning vibrations.

Article 12. The Committee has noted that Ordinance AFS 1986:7 does not contain provisions specifying the processes, substances, machinery and equipment involving exposure of workers to vibration which must be notified to the competent authority. The Government is requested to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to specify the processes, substances, machinery and equipment involving exposure to vibrations, the use of which shall be notified to the competent authority.