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Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Belize (RATIFICATION: 1999)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Application of the Convention in law and in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee asked the Government to report in detail on the application of the Convention. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not provide information on the effect given to each Article of the Convention. It also notes that, according to the Government, the National Occupational Safety and Health Bill (the OSH Bill) was submitted to Cabinet in November 2010. The Government also indicated that a conference was held by the Social Security Board in partnership with the Labour Department, under participation of all stakeholders, in order to provide the desired impetus towards the promulgation of the OSH Bill, but that the OSH Bill is yet to be enacted. The Committee wishes to emphasize that the indication that the new legislation is in the process of adoption does not free the Government from the obligation to ensure the application of the provisions of the Convention during the transition period and to provide such information in its report. The Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information on the application of the present Convention, including new legislation, if adopted, and where it has not been, the manner in which the Government ensures the application of the provisions of the Convention in practice.

Article 4 of the Convention. National policy. Noting the document entitled “proposed National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policy”, the Committee requests the Government to inform the Office if this proposed policy has been formally adopted and implemented and, if so, to provide detailed information on its implementation.

Articles 5(a), 11(f) and 12(b). Chemicals. Management of chemicals. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that, although Belize is not a producer of chemicals, these chemicals are imported for use mainly in the agricultural sector and that workers employed in this sector are therefore vulnerable to exposure. According to the Government, effective preventive and protective measures must be taken for their health and safety. The Committee also notes the information that in November 2010, the Government has launched the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), which entails the implementation of a chemicals management system in two phases through a multi-sectoral approach. SAICM covers the following issues: (i) prevention and control of chemical pollution and waste with emphasis on persistent organic pollutants; (ii) enhancement of industry sector risk reduction through the global Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in Belize; (iii) safe handling and use of chemicals with emphasis on pesticides to address poisoning, good agricultural practices and unnecessary threat to biodiversity; and (iv) chemical accidents, expand national emergency plans to include industrial accidents including in port and shipping channels to defend coastal zone integrity/biodiversity and safeguard human health. According to the Government, phase II of this project has been launched in June 2012 and will entail the development of a legal and institutional framework for the management of chemicals, including market surveillance measures. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any development in this respect, including on legal and institutional initiatives taken in this regard.

Application in practice. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide more information on preventive measures in relation to an increasing number of accidental falls. It also notes that the Labour Department is intricately involved in the investigation of any major accidents or fatalities at the workplace; and that labour officers are engaged in labour education inclusive of OSH. Furthermore, according to the Government, the Social Security Board undertakes preventive actions, and the inspection staff under the Social Security Board engages in proactive inspections, education and training of employers and employees, and gives advice in the field of OSH. The Committee asks the Government to further specify preventive measures taken that address the high number of occupational accidents, and to continue to provide statistics such as on occupational accidents and diseases broken down by sector of occupation and on the development of the number of the workforce.