Solicitud directa (CEACR) - Adopción: 2010, Publicación: 100ª reunión CIT (2011)

Convenio sobre la higiene (comercio y oficinas), 1964 (núm. 120) - Federación de Rusia (Ratificación : 1967)

The Committee notes with interest the comprehensive information provided by the Government in its report. The Committee notes the detailed list of relevant laws and regulations, sanitary standards and regulations (SANPIN), sanitary standards (SN), hygiene standards (GN) and methodological guidelines (MU) giving effect to the provisions of the Convention. In the central legislation, Federal Act No. 52, concerning the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population of 30 March 1999, the Committee notes the reference to, in particular, sections 22 and 23 which lay down requirements regarding the organization and implementation of monitoring of commercial enterprises and requirements for workers in commerce with regards to the observance of the principles of the Convention. In accordance with Articles 7 to 19 of the Convention employers are required to carry out workplace monitoring on the basis of state standards and technical specifications to carry out planning, and to develop programmes and determine procedures for inspection and monitoring.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the detailed information regarding the monitoring by the Federal Medico-Biological Agency (FMBA) which, under the terms of federal legislation, carries out functions on behalf of the State in the area of medical and sanitary care for workers in individual sectors of industry. Accordingly, the basic measures in 2008 undertaken by the FMBA covered, inter alia, workers’ conditions in relation to noise, vibration, lighting, air pollution and water. Among the 600,000 workers covered by FMBA that use IT and other office equipment, analyses of the inspection results indicate that the principal causes for complaints from office workers were technical/equipment factors; general working arrangements – in particular, the duration of uninterrupted work on screens, leading to problems with vision after 1.5 to 2 hours; and poor lighting. The Committee also notes the information that preliminary studies of the health of 3,456 office workers by regional offices of the FMBA in 2007–08 have shown that working conditions for these workers involve physical and mental stress, and monotonous tasks taking up half the working day. The most widespread health problem involves the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide available statistical and other information on the practical application of the Convention, segregated by gender if available, including on measures taken and accomplishments achieved in addressing the issues raised and the methods used to monitor progress in this area.