Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Zambia (Ratification: 1973)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to its previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Legislation. The Committee notes the Factories (Benzene) Regulations 1978 (as amended by S.I. No. 158 of 1993) and in particular notes the relevant provisions which give effect to Articles 2 (Use of substitute products), 6(1) and (2) (Measures taken to limit exposure of workers and Maximum levels of concentration) and 8 of the Convention (Adequate means of personal protection). With reference to its previous comments, the Committee encourages the Government to take into account current internationally agreed limit values for benzene as recommended by the American Conference of Industrial Hygienists, presently recommended at a maximum of 0.5 parts per million or 0.6 mg/m3. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any relevant legislative developments and to submit copies of such legislation once it has been adopted.

Article 4(1). Prohibition of the use of benzene in certain work processes. The Committee once again reiterates its request that the Government adopt the required legislation to ensure that the use of benzene and products containing benzene are prohibited in certain work processes; and that this prohibition shall at least include the use of benzene and products containing benzene as a solvent or diluent, except where the process is carried out in an enclosed system or where there are other equally safe methods of work. The Committee asks the Government to keep it informed of any progress in this regard.

Article 14(c) of the Convention and Part IV of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice and appropriate inspection services. The Committee requests the Government to provide general information on the manner in which the Convention is applied, including extracts of inspection reports and data on the number of workers covered by the Convention, if possible, disaggregated by gender and the number and nature of the infringements recorded.