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

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Finland (Ratification: 1978)

I. With reference to its observation, the Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Radiation Protection Act of 1991. It notes that section 2 of this Act provides that, in all operations involving exposure to radiation, the radiation to which an individual is exposed must not exceed the maximum prescribed by ordinance. The Committee further notes from the Government's report that the decree to be issued under the new radiation Act is intended to include provisions on new dose limits. In this regard, the Committee would draw the Government's attention to its General Observation under this Convention which sets forth the new dose limits adopted in 1990 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (publication No. 60). It hopes that the Ordinance concerning dose limits referred to by the Government will be adopted in the near future and that it will take into account the current scientific knowledge, in accordance with Article 3, paragraph 1 and Article 6, paragraph 2 of the Convention. The Government is requested to provide a copy of any decrees issued under the new Radiation Protection Act as soon as they have been adopted.

II. The Committee notes with interest the information provided in the Government's report in response to its General Observation of 1987 concerning measures to be taken in abnormal situations, such as accidents, where levels of exposure to ionising radiation may exceed the levels prescribed by national legislation for normal conditions. The Committee notes from the Government's report that the Occupational Safety Act of 1988 includes a provision according to which any mutagenic or teratogenic hazards should be taken into account when assessing risk factors caused by working conditions. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to its General Observation under this Convention, in particular, paragraph 13 concerning dose limits for pregnant women directly engaged in radiation work. The Government is requested to indicate the manner in which mutagenic or teratogenic hazards have been taken into account in determining the risk factors caused by working conditions and whether this has been taken into account in the setting of dose limits for pregnant women. The Government is also requested to indicate the steps taken or being considered in relation to the other matters raised in the conclusions to the General Observation under this Convention.