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

Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - United Republic of Tanzania (Ratification: 1983)

Article 4 of the Convention. National laws or regulations for the prevention and control of, and protection against, occupational hazards. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2013, is being finalized and that the Environmental Management (Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations of 2014, are currently under review. The Committee expresses the strong hope that the Government will soon adopt the relevant texts to give full effect to the Convention and requests the Government to provide a copy of the new legislation, as soon as it is adopted.

Article 8. Establishing criteria for determining the hazards of exposure, including taking into account the opinion of technically competent persons. The Committee notes that the Government refers, in its report, to air pollution and noise standards developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority in collaboration with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards. The Committee requests the Government to supply a copy of these Standards.

Article 11(3). Alternative employment or other measures offered for maintaining the income of transferred workers. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government refers to section 72 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, No. 05/2003, on the possibility for the competent Minister to require medical supervision and examination for workers placed in conditions of work detrimental to their health. It adds that, during their visits, occupational health and safety medical inspectors provide advice on rehabilitative measures for workers affected, wherever necessary. Recalling that Article 11(3) requires every effort to be made to provide workers, whose continued assignment to work involving exposure to air pollution, noise or vibration is found to be medically inadvisable, with suitable alternative employment or to maintain their income through social security measures, the Committee once again requests the Government to take all the necessary measures to ensure the full application of this Article, both in law and in practice, and to provide further information in this regard.

Article 13. Adequate information and instruction of workers. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the training sessions organized by the Directorate of Training and aimed at raising knowledge and awareness among workers responsible for safety and health issues at work. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on these training sessions, for example on their content and their frequency. The Committee also asks the Government to provide general indications on the application of the Convention, including information on inspection visits carried out, the number and nature of contraventions reported and sanctions imposed in relation to the relevant national provisions.