Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Guyana (Ratification: 1983)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following matters raised in its previous direct request.

In previous comments, the Committee noted that national laws and regulations are too general to give full effect to most of the provisions of the Convention, and that specific measures should therefore be taken to regulate the use of benzene and products containing benzene in accordance with the Convention.

The Committee noted the Government's indication in its report received in 1989 that active consideration was being given to the customary manner of the use of benzene in an effort to recommend regulations to the Government, and that assistance from the ILO would be sought should these proposals find favour for implementation.

The Committee observes that in ratifying the Convention, the Government has accepted the obligation to take such steps as may be necessary to give effect to its provisions. The Committee accordingly again expresses the hope that - on the basis of the active consideration referred to in the Government's report, if necessary with the technical assistance of the ILO in the preparation of regulations - the Government will adopt the specific measures necessary to give full effect to the following provisions of the Convention:

Article 2 of the Convention. Measures to ensure that harmless or less-harmful substitute products are used instead of benzene or products containing benzene.

Article 4. Prohibition of the use of benzene or products containing benzene in certain processes.

Article 5. Occupational hygiene and technical measures to ensure effective protection of exposed workers.

Article 6, paragraph 1. Measures to prevent escape of benzene into the air of places of employment.

Article 6, paragraph 2. Determination by the competent authority of the maximum permissible concentration of benzene in the air of places of employment.

Article 6, paragraph 3. Directions issued by the competent authority for measuring benzene in the air.

Article 7, paragraph 1. Measures to ensure that, as far as practicable, processes involving the use of benzene are carried out in enclosed systems.

Article 8, paragraph 1. Measures to ensure that workers are provided with appropriate means of personal protection against the risk of absorbing benzene through the skin.

Articles 9 and 10. Measures to provide for medical examinations of workers employed in work processes involving exposure to benzene.

Article 11. Measures to prohibit the employment of pregnant women, nursing mothers and young persons under 18 years of age in work processes involving exposure to benzene.

Article 12. Measures to ensure that containers containing benzene are clearly marked with danger symbols.

The Committee hopes that the next report will indicate the measures taken or envisaged in this regard.