Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - France (Ratification: 1994)

Article 2(2) of the Convention. Reducing the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that the agency for occupational and environmental health and safety has been developing, within the framework of the Workplace Health Plan 2005–09, occupational exposure limits for chemical substances. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the development of the abovementioned occupational exposure limits, and to indicate the measures taken or envisaged in law and in practice to ensure that the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents, and the duration and degree of such exposure, is reduced to the minimum compatible with safety.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice. The Government indicates that the Cancer Plan 2003–07 and the Workplace Health Plan 2005–09 promoted the substitution of carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic (CMR) substances for non-dangerous or less dangerous substances. The Committee also notes the information indicating that campaigns were undertaken on CMR and asbestos in 2006, on sawdust in 2008, and cleaning and vehicle repair enterprises in 2010. The Committee further notes the statistical information indicating the number of cases of recognized occupational cancer declared between 2004 and 2007. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical information on cases of occupational cancer.