Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Brazil (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee refers the Government to its observation and requests it to send additional information on the following points.

Articles 4 and 7(1) of the Convention. Prohibition on the use of benzene in certain work processes specified by law and the requirement to carry out work processes involving the use of benzene in a closed system. Further to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the information sent by the Government but observes that it does not allow a clear understanding of the extent to which these Articles of the Convention are applied. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the standards giving effect to these Articles of the Convention.

Article 6(2). Level of concentration of benzene in the air of places of employment. The Committee takes note of the continuation of the discussions in which, according to the report, a dialogue on the reduction of the reference value applying to metallurgy is ongoing in the National Standing Committee on Benzine (CNPBz) but notes that the matter is not a priority for the employers. Pointing out that the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a value of 0.5 ppm as an upper limit for the concentration of benzene in the air of places of employment, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether Brazil continues to apply a ceiling value of 1.0 ppm for the concentration of benzene in the air for the enterprises covered by this appendix and 2.5 ppm for enterprises in the steel industry, and to take measures as appropriate, and to provide information thereon.

Articles 7(2) and 8(1). The removal of benzene vapour and adequate means of personal protection against the risk of absorbing benzene through the skin. The Committee notes that the Government does not reply directly to its request but indicates that it encloses material from FUNDACENTRO (not received at the Office), and refers to the website of the CNPBz. Having viewed the report of September 2010, the Committee finds that the information posted on the website does not reply to the questions raised. It again asks the Government to indicate the legislation giving effect to these provisions of the Convention.