Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Denmark (Ratification: 1978)

Articles 1 and 6(a) of the Convention. Determination of carcinogenic substances and agents. National legislation. The Committee notes, from the Government’s report, that due to the entry into force of the European Union Regulation concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH), the executive orders on work with substances and materials (chemical agents) and on measures for preventing the risk of cancer when working with substances and materials are currently being amended. The amendments include a revision of existing Annex 1, parts A and B, of the executive order on measures for preventing the risk of cancer when working with substances and materials. The Committee takes note of this information.

Articles 5 and 6(b). Medical examinations of workers after the period of employment. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, with regard to flight crew, all workers in the field of aviation undergo periodic medical examinations. Pilots undergo medical examinations twice a year and cabin crew between one and five years depending on their age. Moreover, a working environment council for the field of aviation has been set up to discuss various issues linked to the workers in the field of aviation. The council meets at least three times a year. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure the examination, after the period of employment, of the state of health of workers in the field of aviation who have been exposed to carcinogenic substances, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the Working Environment Authority’s reports on notified occupational illnesses. It notes that in 2011 the number of notifications of work-related cancer illness was 471, increasing to 484 in 2012 and to 537 in 2013. In 2013, diseases related to cancer accounted for 3 per cent of the total number of notified diseases. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether an analysis has been undertaken of the causes of the increase in the number of reported cases of work related cancer and to provide information on this subject.