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Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Nicaragua (RATIFICATION: 1981)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that it is committed to preparing regulations on benzene, based on the Act respecting the handling and control of pesticides and dangerous toxic substances, approved in 1998 by the National Assembly. The Committee recalls that there has been no specific legislation giving effect to the Convention since its ratification. It once again hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures as soon as possible to prepare the announced regulations with a view to giving effect to the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government's next report will indicate that the regulations on benzene have been adopted and that they will give effect to the following provisions of the Convention, in accordance with Article 14, paragraph 2 (use of harmless or less harmful substitute products instead of benzene or products containing benzene), Article 4 (prohibition of the use of benzene and of products containing benzene in certain work processes, including their use as a solvent or diluent, except where the process is carried out in an enclosed system or where there are other equally safe methods of work), Article 6 (the concentration of benzene in the air not to exceed a maximum of 25 parts per million (80 mg/m3)), Article 8 (provision of adequate means of personal protection and limitation of the duration of exposure to levels of benzene concentration above the maximum limit), Articles 9 and 10 (pre-employment and periodic medical examinations) and Article 11 (prohibition of the employment of pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as young persons under 18 years of age, in work processes involving exposure to benzene).