Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Norway (Ratification: 1961)

With reference to its previous comments the Committee notes with interest the Government's information in its report that the National Institute of Radiation Hygiene has taken steps to formally implement the new recommendations of the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in this regard and to transmit a copy of the provisions adopted.

In this relation the Committee also hopes that the Government will provide information on the following specific points raised in its previous direct request:

1. Article 8 of the Convention. With reference to paragraph 14 of its 1992 general observation under the Convention concerning dose limits for non-radiation workers, the Committee has previously stressed that under current ICRP recommendations, workers not engaged in radiation work are not to be exposed to levels of radiation higher than the dose limit for members of the public, set at 1 mSv per year. The Committee noted in this connection that, while in practice the levels of exposure for workers not directly engaged in radiation work may generally be low, a particular concern is raised in Article 8 of the Convention for workers who, while not directly engaged in radiation work (and thus not necessarily benefitting from monitoring programmes, special medical examinations, etc.), may remain in, or pass through, areas where they may be exposed to ionizing radiations. The Committee hopes that in the light of the 1990 ICRP recommendations and the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards, the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that workers not directly engaged in radiation work are protected as members of the public in so far as restricting their radiation exposure is concerned.

2. Alternative employment. The Committee previously noted the Government's indication that regulations concerning genetic damage and the working environment have been elaborated with a view to entitling both men and women to be transferred to other work if conditions in their working environment involve risk of genetic damage. The Committee expresses again the hope that the Government will provide information on progress made in adopting these regulations and transmit a copy of the regulations once they are adopted. In this connection the Committee would also draw the Government's attention to paragraphs 28 to 34 and 35(d) of its 1992 general observation under the Convention, and the principles reflected in paragraphs 96 and 238 of the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards, and request the Government to provide information on measures taken or contemplated to ensure effective protection of workers who have accumulated exposure beyond which an unacceptable risk of detriment is to occur and who may thus be faced with the dilemma that protecting their health means losing their employment.

3. Emergency exposure situations. Referring to the explanations given in paragraphs 16 to 27 and 35(c) of its 1992 general observation under the Convention and in the light of paragraphs 233 and 236 of the 1994 International Basic Safety Standards, the Committee hopes that the Government will provide information on the measures taken or contemplated in relation to emergency situations.