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

Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 2006)

The Committee notes that the Government has not provided the detailed report that it had requested. It also notes that, in its brief report, the Government provides information on the application of the Convention in practice and on its commitment to make progress in its implementation. The Government undertakes to remain vigilant concerning compliance with the Convention. It adds that it is in the final stage of the procedure of gathering information to determine the profile of enterprises which make use of hazardous chemicals and that during the course of 2011 the following activities will be undertaken: recording, analysing and evaluating occupational diseases related to chemicals; reactivating the inter-institutional commission to monitor compliance with the Convention; and joining the Latin American and Caribbean bodies for a strategic approach to the management of chemicals at the international level. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the action outlined above and reiterates its request for a detailed report indicating the legislation and provisions that give legislative effect to each Article and paragraph of the Convention. Even if not all elements are set out in law, such a report is fundamental to provide an idea of the elements that are applied and those which require improvement.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s report, with reference to the strengthening of the Ministry of Labour, training was provided in 2010 to 55 inspectors and five safety and health technicians. It also notes that the Industrial Safety and Health Directorate developed two instruments: one to determine whether or not a health and safety management system exists; and the other to monitor compliance with the OSH programme established in Regulation No. 522-06. In addition, 300 CDs were distributed to the same number of enterprises in the chemical industry and the enterprises were instructed to adopt the safety and health management system based on the ILO–OSH guidelines of 2001. During 2010, a total of 121 OSH inspections were conducted in enterprises in all branches of activity in which chemicals are used. These enterprises employ 35,735 workers, of whom approximately 23,000 are men and approximately 11,000 are women. The inspections monitored compliance with OSH programmes, joint OSH committees and the availability of safety sheets on the chemicals used, among other matters. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the application of the Convention in practice.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2015.]