Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Norway (Ratification: 1992)

The Committee takes note of the observations submitted by the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), enclosed in the Government’s report received on 29 August 2014 and also in a separate communication received on 8 September 2014.

Article 3(2) of the Convention. Periodical review of national laws and regulations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Regulation No. 235 on asbestos is now covered by a set of Regulations adopted on 6 December 2011 (Regulations Nos 1355, 1356, 1357 and 1358) but that their adoption brought no substantive changes to the provisions giving effect to the Convention.

Article 3(3) and (4). Permitted derogations from the preventive and protective measures. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government provides statistical data showing that, each year between 2010 and 2012, one derogation from the regulations on asbestos was granted, while none was approved in 2013. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the nature of these derogations, their conditions and limits of time, the precaution taken to protect workers’ health and the consultations held with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned, as prescribed by Article 3(3) and (4) of the Convention.

Article 21(5). Notification of occupational diseases caused by asbestos. Application of the Convention in practice and statistical information. The Committee notes the concerns expressed by the LO concerning the inaccuracy of the statistics provided by the Government and the under-reporting of diseases. The Committee also notes that the Government acknowledges an error in the data provided for 2009 (25 cases of occupational diseases caused by exposure to asbestos) and providing an adjusted number (111). The Government explains that occupational diseases caused by exposure to asbestos remain largely under-reported and that despite their obligation to report cases to the Labour Inspection Authority, provided under section 5-3 of the Working Environment Act No. 62 of 2005, only 4 to 5 per cent of the medical practitioners fulfil their duties. The Committee requests the Government to take all the necessary measures to ensure that medical practitioners duly report occupational diseases caused by asbestos, and to provide information on any development in this regard.