Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 1984)

Article 11(c) and (d) of the Convention. Establishment and application of procedures for the notification of occupational accidents and diseases. The holding of inquiries where an occupational accident appears to reflect a situation which is serious. The Committee notes a communication from the National Union of Workers of Venezuela (UNETE) of 31 August 2013, forwarded to the Government on 19 September 2013. In its communication, the UNETE refers to the deteriorating conditions of occupational safety and health (OSH), with a very high rise in occupational accidents in the oil sector. It makes particular reference to an accident that occurred on 25 August 2012, when there was a major explosion at the Amuay refinery, Falcón state, under the ownership of the Venezuelan petroleum enterprise (PDVSA). It indicates that the accident resulted in 42 deaths and over 100 persons injured, and left hundreds of families homeless, as well as causing huge environmental damage. The union states that a year after the accident the causes are still unknown, and no measures have been taken to prevent it from happening again. A deterioration of OSH conditions is also reported in the cement industry. Lastly, the UNETE indicates that the National Institute for Occupational Prevention, Health and Safety (INPSASEL) is legally empowered to issue certificates for occupational diseases, but that the absence of regulations setting a time limit for issuing the certificate means that INPSASEL delays the process indefinitely, leaving the worker in a vulnerable situation, since the certificate is needed to claim compensation. The Committee invites the Government to provide the comments it considers appropriate with its reply to its 2012 comments.