Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 1992, Publicación: 79ª reunión CIT (1992)

Convenio sobre el benceno, 1971 (núm. 136) - España (Ratificación : 1973)

The Committee refers to its observation under the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted the information provided by the CC.OO. concerning a number of workers in industries involving exposure to benzene who had acquired serious occupational diseases. The Committee had noted that, while Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention sets a maximum limit for the concentration of benzene in the air of 25 parts per million, Paragraph 7(3) of the Benzene Recommendation No. 144 provides that the maximum concentration of benzene in the air should be lowered as soon as possible if medical evidence shows this to be desirable. In this regard, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the consideration given by the competent authorities, when investigating workplaces, to the additional effects created by simultaneous exposure to several harmful substances. The Committee further notes with interest the information provided by the Government concerning a proposal to amend the threshhold limit value of benzene to 0.3 A1 mg/m3, as well as the amendment to be made concerning the limit value for nitrobenzene in conformity with the EEC Directive of 29 May 1991 (91/322/EEC) on establishing indicative limit values by implementing Council Directive 80/1107/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work. The Committee further notes the Government's indication that the European Community is presently studying the possibility of establishing new limit values for benzene to be lower than 25 parts per million. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on any progress made in this regard.