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

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

The Committee notes the observations of the Turkish Confederation of Employers’ Associations (TİSK) and the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), communicated with the Government’s report.

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

Articles 6(2) and 7(2) of the Convention. Dose limits in occupational exposure and dose limits for persons between 16 and 18 years of age. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its report that the Radiation Safety Regulations was revised in 2010, pursuant to Regulation 3/6/2010-27600. The Committee notes that, pursuant to section 10(a) of the amended Radiation Safety Regulations, for radiation workers, the equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye is 150 mSv. It also notes that, pursuant to section 10(c), students and interns between 16 and 18 years whose education requires some level of exposure, the equivalent dose for the lens of the eye is 50 mSv. Recalling that under Article 6(2) of the Convention, maximum permissible doses shall be kept under constant review in the light of current knowledge, and referring to paragraphs 11 and 13 of its 2015 general observation, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the most recent recommendations of the International Commission of Radiological Protection that recommend, for radiation workers, an equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 20 mSv per year, averaged over a period of five years, with no single year exceeding 50 mSv per year, and for students between the ages of 16 to 18 who use sources of radiation in the course of their studies, the dose limits are an equivalent dose to the lens of the eye of 20 mSv per year. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken to review the maximum permissible doses established, in light of current knowledge, with respect to the lens of the eye.

Articles 11, 12, 13 and 15. Appropriate monitoring of workplaces, medical examinations and inspection. Application in practice. The Committee notes the statement of the TÜRK- İŞ that there is not sufficient information provided in the Government’s report on any incidents that occurred or relevant statistics. The Committee notes that the Government states that in 2013, within the framework of monitoring cases of exposure to high radiation doses, dosimeter services determined that the dose rate of 256 persons exceeded the level set for inspections. The Government also indicates that while some of the recorded cases resulted from the misuse of dosimeters, other cases were the result of non compliance with licensing requirements, or due to insufficient security measures. In the latter cases, the relevant institutions were warned to take the necessary corrective measures by reviewing their system of protection and working in compliance with the licensing requirements. Of the detected cases, five persons were directed to health institutions for medical examinations and treatment. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to ensure the carrying out of appropriate monitoring of workers and places of work in order to measure the exposure of workers to ionizing radiations. It requests further information on the inspections undertaken in this regard, including the number of inspections undertaken and the number of workers covered, as well as the number of institutions required to take corrective measures. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that appropriate health surveillance is available for workers.