Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Sweden (Ratification: 1970)

Following on from its previous comments on progress made in the operation of the labour inspection service in agricultural and forestry undertakings, the Committee once again notes with satisfaction the Government’s constant efforts to provide the labour inspection services with the human and logistical resources they require to carry out their tasks of inspection, education and improving legislation (Article 6(1) of the Convention), in particular in the areas of health and safety of agricultural workers and their work environment.

Measures to improve occupational safety and health conditions in agricultural undertakings. Given that agricultural and forestry are among the areas of activity with the highest accident rates (on average 15 deaths and thousands of cases of injury every year), the Work Environment Authority is endeavouring to adapt its activities in the light of the results of labour inspections and advances in technical knowledge in order to reduce occupational risks specific to the areas of activity concerned. According to the Government, six occupational accident surveys carried out in the agricultural sector since 2010 and published on the Internet are to be followed up with a range of measures with that purpose in mind. The Committee notes that a detailed list of points for inspection and a glossary of terms used in labour inspection in the agricultural sector will shortly be made available to all inspectors.

Inspection of agricultural machinery and its use. The Committee notes that the competence of the labour inspection service in agriculture also includes preventive inspection of market products intended for small-scale forestry undertakings and their customers, with the aim of registering those products with regard to their safe use. With the same concern in mind, the labour inspection service provides manufacturers and purchasers of certain agricultural machinery with information on the assembly of that machinery by means of a brochure which focuses on conformity with European standards.

Inspection of livestock breeding activities. The Committee notes with interest that the activities of the labour inspection service in livestock breeding undertakings have prompted the Work Environment Authority, during the period of the report, to initiate a range of measures intended to improve safety and health conditions in the work environment, including: seeking alternative solutions for marking livestock; revising regulations on pesticide spreading machinery and the use of motorized saws and chainsaws; and Internet publication of information and recommendations concerning microbiological risks and protection of persons caring for horses, dogs or cats infected with certain serious infectious diseases. In addition, organic dust in livestock breeding establishments is the focus of a two year national project. Dust concentrations are measured and recorded on poultry farms, in piggeries and other livestock breeding undertakings.

Measures to protect foreign workers employed in certain seasonal activities. Lastly, the Committee notes with interest the publication of a brochure available in several languages (English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Russian and Polish) intended for foreign workers employed in seasonal work in forestry and berry picking. The brochure covers the social and legal aspects of seasonal work as well as issues of safety and health pertaining to particular activities of this kind.