Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Ukraine (Ratification: 1968)

General observation of 2015. The Committee would like to draw the Government’s attention to its general observation of 2015 under this Convention, and in particular the request for information contained in paragraph 30 thereof.

Articles 3(1) and 6(2) of the Convention. All appropriate steps to ensure the effective protection of workers, in the light of available knowledge and maximum permissible doses of ionizing radiation. Protection for pregnant and breastfeeding workers. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Government reiterates information previously provided, indicating that section 5.6 of the Standards of Radiological Safety of Ukraine of 1997 provides that the dose limit with respect to radiation workers, following the diagnosis of pregnancy should not exceed 2 mSv for the whole period of pregnancy. It also notes that section 9.6.5. of the Basic Sanitary Rules for Radiation Safety of Ukraine provide that, for pregnant workers, occupational exposure should be adapted so as to ensure that the dose limits set are not exceeded. Recalling that under Article 6(2) of the Convention, maximum permissible doses shall be kept under constant review in the light of current knowledge, the Committee refers to paragraph 33 of its general observation of 2015, which indicates that the methods of protection at work for women who are pregnant should provide a level of protection for the embryo/foetus broadly similar to that provided for members of the public (the annual effective dose limit for members of the public is 1 mSv). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to review the maximum permissible dose established for workers who are pregnant, in light of current knowledge.

Article 8. Dose limits for workers not directly engaged in radiation work. The Committee once again notes the Government’s indication that the effective dose for individuals who do not work with sources of ionizing radiation, but who may be exposed to additional radiation because their workplace is situated on premises, or on an industrial site, where radiological or nuclear technology is used, must not exceed 2 mSv per year. The Committee recalls that, pursuant to Article 8 of the Convention, appropriate levels shall be fixed in accordance with Article 6 for workers who are not directly engaged in radiation work, but who remain or pass where they may be exposed to ionizing radiation or radioactive substances. It refers in this regard to paragraph 14 of the general observation of 2015, which indicates that the annual effect dose limit for this category of workers should be 1 mSv. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government indicate the measures taken or envisaged to review the maximum permissible dose established for workers not directly engaged in radiation work.

Article 10. Requirement of the notification of work involving exposure of workers to ionizing radiation. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to section 4 of the Act on Protection of People from Ionizing Radiation, in reply to the Committee’s previous request on the application of Article 10 of the Convention. Section 4 states that citizens have the right to get information as to levels of human exposure and measures of protection against the impact of ionizing radiation at their places of work and homes, from the respective state bodies responsible for human protection against the impact of ionizing radiation. The Committee recalls that, pursuant to Article 10 of the Convention, laws or regulations shall require the notification in a manner prescribed of work involving exposure of workers to ionizing radiations in the course of their work. It observes in this regard that section 4 of the Act on Protection of People from Ionizing Radiation refers to a right to information, but does not prescribe notification. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the laws or regulations requiring the notification to workers of work involving exposure to ionizing radiations in conformity with Article 10.

Application in practice. Noting an absence of information on this point in the Government’s report, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice in the country, including the number and nature of contraventions reported, the number and cause of accidents recorded and the measures taken to remedy them, and information on the individual protective equipment allocated to workers.