CMNT_TITLE

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Belarus (RATIFICATION: 1968)

General observation of 2015. The Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to its general observation of 2015 under this Convention, and in particular to the request for information contained in paragraph 30 thereof.

Article 14 of the Convention. Discontinuation of assignment to work involving exposure to ionizing radiation pursuant to medical advice and alternative employment. The Committee notes the indication of the Government in its report according to which, pursuant to the Sanitary Regulations on the Radiation Safety Requirements for Personnel and the Public when using Atomic Energy and Sources of Ionising Radiation (Ministry of Health Decision No. 137 of 31 December 2013), the safety of personnel is ensured by the restriction of work clearances according to age, sex, health status and existing exposure; the observance of regulatory standards on basic dose limits, dose constraints and benchmarks; and the implementation of measures to protect workers when planning for increased exposure in the event of danger or an accident. The Government also indicates that pursuant to chapter 26 of the Sanitary Regulations and Hygiene Standards concerning the Health Requirements for the Development and Exploitation of Atomic Power Stations (Ministry of Health Decision No. 39 of 31 March 2010), clearance to work is determined on an individual basis during periodic medical examinations. Under paragraph 427 of Decision No. 39, if a decline in health is detected, the worker is prevented from continuing work with sources of exposure, and the decision to transfer the worker to a post that does not involve contact with ionising radiation, temporarily or permanently, is made on an individual basis, taking into account the sanitary nature of the working conditions, the persistence and severity of the revealed pathology and social issues. Noting that under the Ministry of Health Decision No. 39 of 31 March 2010, clearance to work is determined during periodic medical examinations, the Committee requests the Government to specify if such medical examinations allow to determine that it is medically inadvisable for a worker to be assigned to work involving exposure to ionising radiations, also in situations before a decline in health is detected.