Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2010, publiée 100ème session CIT (2011)

Convention (n° 139) sur le cancer professionnel, 1974 - Islande (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government on effect given to Article 2(2) of the Convention by virtue of Regulation No. 430/2007 on prohibition of the use of asbestos, Regulation No. 325/2007 on the retail sale of tobacco, and Regulation No. 326/2007 on the limitation of tobacco smoking. The Committee requests the Government to provide copies of the legislation referred to including copies in English if available.

Article 6(c) of the Convention. Inspection. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s response and quantitative information. The Committee also notes that the Administration of Occupational Health and Safety (AOHS) inspects workplaces on the basis of four hazard levels, with the top being in industries such as chemical and construction. The Committee further notes that, in 2006, the AOHS gave 5,091 notices whilst, more recently, in 2008, the AOHS gave 6,261 notices. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the reason for the increase in the level of notices and to provide further information on measures taken or envisaged so as to address this aspect.

Part IV of the report form. Practical application of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in that, based on the information from the register, 29 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed from 1959 to 1998, and 20 cases from 1999 to 2008. The Committee also notes the information that the Government has no information to establish whether those cases were due to occupational exposure to asbestos, yet the likelihood of causality is great. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice in the country, including available statistical information.