Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1973)

Articles 6(1)(a) and (b), 17, 18 and 19 of the Convention. Role of labour inspection in agriculture with regard to safety and health. The Committee notes with concern the information sent by the Government, to the effect that agriculture is the sector with the second highest rate, after the industrial sector, of occupational accidents in the country and that these accidents represent 20 per cent of the total number of accidents into which investigations have been launched. According to the Government, the main causes of accidents in agriculture include the use of machinery without the necessary safety devices, problems in electrical installations, the use of chemicals without any proper planning of risk prevention, lack of training for workers and lack of personal protective equipment. Referring to its previous comments on this subject, the Committee stresses the need to associate labour inspectors in agriculture in the preventive control of new plant, new materials or substances and new methods of handling or processing products which appear likely to constitute a threat to health or safety, in accordance with Article 17 of the Convention. It invites the Government to refer in this regard to the Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Recommendation, 1969 (No. 133), as regards the possible association of the labour inspectorate in preventive controls by means of prior consultation on the putting into operation of such plant, materials or substances, and methods, and on the plans of any plant in which dangerous machines or unhealthy or dangerous work processes are to be used (Paragraph 11). The Committee also draws the Government’s attention to the measures envisaged in the Recommendation with a view to undertaking education campaigns for employers and workers in agriculture, such as the use of the services of rural promoters or instructors; the distribution of posters, pamphlets, periodicals and newspapers; the organization of film shows, and radio and television broadcasts; arrangements for exhibitions and practical demonstrations on hygiene and safety and any other appropriate subjects in the teaching programmes of rural schools and agricultural schools; the organization of conferences for persons working in agriculture who are affected by the introduction of new working methods or of new materials or substances; the participation of labour inspectors in agriculture in workers’ education programmes; and the organization of lectures, debates, seminars and competitions with prizes (Paragraph 14). The Committee therefore requests the Government to ensure that measures are taken quickly by the competent authority to determine the cases and conditions in which the labour inspection services in agriculture should be associated in the preventive control of new plant, new materials or substances and new methods of handling or processing products which appear likely to constitute a threat to health or safety. It also requests the Government to take steps to ensure the mobilization of the resources needed to eliminate the most frequent causes of occupational accidents in agriculture, as referred to above, including the provision by labour inspectors of relevant technical information and advice to employers and workers. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken or contemplated in this respect, and to send copies of any legislative text which has been adopted or any draft in this area.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.