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

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1977)

With reference to the comments it has been making for 15 years, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report. The Government indicates that it has completed elaboration of draft regulations concerning the use of asbestos in conditions of safety, and that it will undertake the drafting of corresponding regulations for the construction sector, of manuals on the establishment of joint occupational safety and health committees and on the establishment of occupational safety and health departments within enterprises. The Committee further notes that according to the Government, despite the absence of specific regulations regarding the use of benzene, implementing measures have been adopted based on the provisions of the general law in force regarding occupational safety and health which regulates the handling and use of various chemical substances. The Government further indicates that the Manifesto on Environmental Impact, as well as safety regulations in undertakings and plans setting out eventualities in cases of occupational hazards are currently applied in all industries. The Committee requests the Government to indicate precisely how the abovementioned texts apply the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee notes that since its first report in 1982, when the Government had announced that it will take the necessary measures to apply the provisions of the Convention, no measures have as yet been adopted in this respect. The Committee therefore recalls that measures are necessary to give application to the main provisions of the Convention, in particular Article 1(b) of the Convention (the protective measures elaborated must apply not only to benzene but also to products the benzene content of which exceeds 1 per cent by volume); Article 2 (whenever harmless or less harmful substitute products are available, they shall be used instead of benzene or products containing benzene); Article 4, paragraphs 1 and 2 (prohibition of the use of benzene and of products containing benzene in certain work at least making use of benzene as a solvent or diluent, except where the process is carried out in an enclosed system or where there are other equally safe methods of work); Article 6, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 (measures shall be taken to prevent the escape of benzene vapour into the air of places of employment, and concentration of benzene in the air of the places of employment must not exceed a ceiling value of 25 parts per million; directions must be issued on carrying out the measurement of the concentration of benzene in the air of places of employment); Article 7, paragraph 1 (work processes involving the use of benzene or of products containing benzene shall as far as practicable, be carried out in an enclosed system); and Article 11, paragraphs 1 and 2 (prohibition to employ pregnant women, nursing mothers and young persons under 18 years of age in work processes involving exposure to benzene or products containing benzene). The Committee renews its hope that the Government will take the necessary measures in the near future to apply the Convention.

Article 9. The Committee again notes from the Government's report that the draft regulations concerning medical services include, as part of the general routine, medical examinations prior to employment, during employment and thereafter. The Committee understands from the Government's statement that these medical examinations are not provided for under specific legislation, but are carried out by the "Superintendency of Occupational Health" and recorded on forms established by the Ministry of Labour for notification of occupational accidents. The Committee recalls that this Article of the Convention provides for specific medical examinations prior to employment and thereafter periodically for all workers who are to be employed in work processes involving exposure to benzene or to products containing benzene, to establish their fitness for such employment. The Committee trusts that the draft regulations concerning medical services will contain provisions to ensure that the required examinations are carried out to guarantee the application of this Article of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information regarding the adoption of the abovementioned draft as soon as possible.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2001.]