Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) - Latvia (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its latest report, and the attached documentation, indicating recent legislative amendments, which give further effect to the provisions of the Convention, including changes to the 1998 Law on Technical Supervision of Dangerous Equipment prescribing that the implementation of control in the field of technical supervision of dangerous equipment shall be performed by the State Construction Inspectorate, rather than the State Labour Inspectorate. With reference to observations made previously by the Free Trade Union Federation of Latvia regarding the use of obsolete machines and the high risk of accidents, which employees are exposed to in using such machines, the Committee notes the response provided by the Government indicating that safety requirements apply to both new and used machinery. The Committee also notes the responses provided regarding effect given to Articles 2, 4 and 11 of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regards to the Convention.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government concerning the number of suspended equipment and machinery; the number of accidents and occupational diseases reported concerning operators of equipment and machinery; and the number of penalties and violations. The Committee also notes that there has been an increase in the number of reported accidents and occupational diseases since 2004. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on measures undertaken or envisaged to address this increase; and to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice.