Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Guinea (Ratification: 1966)

General observation of 2015. The Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to its general observation of 2015 relating to the present Convention, and particularly to the request for information in paragraph 30.

Article 1 of the Convention. Legislation and other appropriate measures. Article 2. Scope of application. Article 3(1) and (2). Appropriate steps to ensure effective protection of workers against ionizing radiations. Articles 6 and 7. Maximum permissible doses of ionizing radiations in the light of current knowledge. The Committee previously observed that the Government had been expressing the intention for many years of adopting regulations to protect workers against ionizing radiation, but had not taken measures to that end. The Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report that, under section 231.4 of the Labour Code of 2014, orders adopted by the Minister of Labour establish the general measures for ensuring worker protection and health which are applicable to all workplaces, especially regarding radiation. The Government explains that the initial drafts of the orders will be updated and submitted to the next session of the Advisory Committee on Labour and Social Legislation. The Government adds that all necessary steps will be taken to give effect to the Convention.

The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the previous standards and recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), which are no longer up to date. The Committee emphasizes that the new recommendations and standards in force to be taken into account for the application of the Convention are the ICRP Recommendations of 2007, the ICRP Statement of 2012 on Tissue Reactions/Early and Late Effects of Radiation in Normal Tissues and Organs: Threshold Doses for Tissue Reactions in a Radiation Protection Contex, and the IAEA International Basic Safety Standards of 2014, which are reflected in the Committee’s general observation of 2015. The Committee draws the Government’s attention in this regard to paragraphs 31–37 of the general observation concerning the recommendations in force on dose limits, according to categories of workers, and the limitation of occupational exposure during an emergency. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary steps to adopt orders in the very near future to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, in the light of the general observation of 2015, and requests to provide information in this regard.