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Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (RATIFICATION: 1983)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the general observation of 1992 and the direct request of 1993.

I. Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government concerning the enterprise Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), according to which it has decided to replace asbestos materials in its branches, which are used in particular in packaging, by other non-carcinogenic substances, and that for ten years the activities in the industry have been carried out without the use of asbestos. It also notes the Government's statement that this substitution will continue in accordance with an official regulation. The Government is requested to specify the official regulation to which it refers.

Article 2, paragraph 2. The Committee notes the Government's information that radiology technicians in the Venezuelan Social Security Institute (IVSS) work eight-hour shifts and that only workers performing their tasks are admitted into the radiology unit. It also notes that, according to the Government, their working hours are compatible with safety considerations. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the scientific grounds on which it may be considered that the exposure of workers to radiation for eight hours is compatible with safety considerations.

Article 3. The Committee notes with interest that the Radiophysical Health Unit of the Department of Industrial Safety and Occupational Medicine of the Venezuelan Social Security Institute (IVSS) keeps a computerized register of the exposure of workers to radiation and that the results are issued once a month. The Committee requests the Government to examine the possibility of setting up such reporting systems for workers exposed to carcinogenic substances in other sectors. It requests the Government to keep it informed of any development relating to systems for recording information concerning carcinogenic substances.

Article 5. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the occupational diseases consultation unit of the Directorate of Occupational Medicine of the Venezuelan Social Security Institute (IVSS) has the capacity to follow up problems resulting from the use of radiation and problems arising out of the exposure of workers to other types of radioactive isotope or any other carcinogenic substances. The Committee recalls that the periodicity of the medical examinations provided for by the COVENIN standard No. 2274-85, depending on age, is either twice a year or yearly, but that section 2 of Decree No. 33046 of 22 August 1984 provides for medical examinations before employment and annual examinations thereafter for workers exposed to asbestos, vinyl chloride, chromates and nickel. Recalling its previous comments, the Committee emphasizes that Article 5 of the Convention requires the medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations as are necessary before, during and after the employment of workers to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure that all workers exposed to carcinogenic substances are supervised after their employment.

II. The Committee notes that, in the absence of a decision by the Directorate for Standardization and Quality Certification, which is an institution under the authority of the Ministry of Development, the COVENIN standard No. 2274-85 remains in force.

Finally, it notes that no progress has yet been made in the revision of the Regulations on the conditions of occupational health and safety.

The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on any progress achieved in this respect.