Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979 (No. 152) - Finland (Ratification: 1981)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report. It notes with interest the adoption of the Government Decree on “Work safety in connection with loading or unloading vessels” (633/2004) which gives further effect to the Convention, in particular through its section 26 which requires that the lifting devices, which form an integral part of the load, should be inspected before each use and section 28(2) which provides that lifting devices are to be inspected by a person authorized by the employer or the ship’s master adequately familiar with the structure, use and inspection of the equipment concerned.

2. Article 36 of the Convention. Medical examinations. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that there are different provisions on medical examinations concerning work that presents a special risk of illness. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the content of these different provisions and to indicate the periodicity applied in practice for the required medical examinations.

3. Part V of the report form. Statistical data. With reference to its latest comments, the Committee notes that in response to previous comments by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) the Government indicates that some 4,000 stevedores work within the scope of the occupational safety and health enforcement which are required to report accidents or injuries to the occupational safety and health authorities, who will inspect the matter. In this regard, the Government indicates that “nothing unusual” has surfaced in the inspections and statistics. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed information on due outcome of the inspections carried out and to continue to keep it informed of the measures taken or envisaged to collect and report statistics on occupational accidents and diseases for dock work specifically.