Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 is an International Labour Organization Convention.

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985
C161
ILO Convention
Date of adoptionJune 25, 1985
Date in forceFebruary 17, 1988
ClassificationOccupational Health Services
SubjectOccupational Safety and Health
PreviousLabour Statistics Convention, 1985
NextAsbestos Convention, 1986

Content

The convention was held on the 71st International Labour Convention session in Geneva on 25 June 1985. The preamble notes the relevance of the Protection of Workers' Health Recommendation, 1953, the Occupational Health Services Recommendation, 1959, the Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971, and the Occupational Safety and Health Convention and Recommendation, 1981, for the principles of this convention. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the employer has to protect the workers against sickness, disease and injury at the workplace.[1]

Principles of national policy

The first four articles define the term occupational health services and workers’ representatives, how it has to be established and provided.

Article1

The first article defines the term occupational health services as actions with preventive focus to protect all workers and employers. Workers’ representatives in the undertaking are people recognized as such under law or practice.

Article 2

Each member of the convention shall organize and create their own national policy on occupational health services in cooperation with representative organizations of employers and workers and check on the implementation.

Article 3

Every member has to develop ongoing occupational health services for all workers in all branches and arrangements must be adapted to the working conditions and risks. If occupational health services cannot be established immediately, each member has to plan such services in cooperation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers. Every member is required to provide information in reports on the implementation and progress of the plans submitted to the International Labour Organization.

Article 4

The competent authority shall cooperate with the most representative organizations of employers and workers for implementation of the agreements.

Functions

The main functions and participations of occupational health services are resumed in the fifth article of the conventions. Occupational health services must detect and assess risks from health hazard at the workplace, check on possible risks to health in the working environment and all facilities provided by the employer, take part in planning and organization of work, workplaces and in maintenance of working equipment. In addition, occupational health services shall participate in the development of programmes, advice on occupational health, safety and hygiene, observe the health of workers in relation to work, support the improvement of working conditions, organize first aid and emergency treatment and analyze occupational accidents and diseases.

Organization

The articles six to eight determine the legal conditions for occupational health services. They also refer to competent authorities and the organization of services within and between companies.

Article 6

The provision of occupational health services shall be made by law, collective agreements and contracts or another way approved by the competent authority. [2]

Article 7

Occupational health services can be organized for a single company or a number of companies. The services shall be organized by public authorities, social security institutions, authorized bodies or companies themselves.

Article 8

Employers and workers shall cooperate and participate equally in the implementation of occupational health services.

Conditions of operation

Articles 9 to 15 describe the responsibilities of personnel and employers regarding occupational health services and the implementation of health protective measures.

Article 9

Occupational health services shall cooperate with other services in the company and the personnel is determined by the nature of the tasks.

Article 10

The personnel for occupational health services acts independent from employers and workers.

Article 11

The competent authority determines the required qualifications for the personnel of occupational health services.

Article 12

The surveillance of the workers’ health shall not involve earning loss, be free of charge and should take place in working time.

Article 13

Every worker has to be informed about health hazards in their work.

Article 14

Occupational health services are informed about known health hazards by employers and workers.

Article 15

Occupational health services must be informed about occurring illnesses and workers’ absence due to health reasons in order to identify possible health risks at work. The personnel must not be instructed by the employer to verify the reasons for absence from work.

General provisions

Articles 16 to 24 govern the ratification of this convention and the adoption of a new convention. They also contain the responsibilities of the Director-General of the ILO and the validity of the English and French versions.

Article 16

National laws name the authorities responsible for the supervision of and advising on occupational health services.

Article 17

The formal ratifications of the convention must be transmitted to the Director-General of the ILO.

Article 18

The convention is binding for all members of the International Labour Organization, whose ratification is registered with the Director-General. It should enter into force twelve month after the registration with the Director-General.

Article 19

A member can resign this convention after ten years from the date on which the convention first entered into force by writing to the Director-General of the ILO. One year after the act of resignation it comes into effect. Each member can resign within one year following the expiration of the ten years period. After that the convention can only be resigned after a next period of ten years.

Article 20

The Director-General of the ILO shall notify all members transmitted to him or her by the members of the organization. When notifying the second ratification, the Director-General shall point out the date of entry into force of the convention.

Article 21

The Director-General of the ILO shall provide the Secretary-General of the United Nations all registered ratifications and denunciations according to Article 102 of the Charter of the UN.

Article 22

The Governing Body presents a report on the implementation of this convention to the General Conference as it may deem necessary. It also shall question its revision.

Article 23

Adopts the conference a new convention, that revises this convention, the ratification of the new convention shall imply the immediate denunciation of this convention. With the entry into force of the new convention, this convention is no longer ratifiable. This convention remains in force in its present form for those members who ratified it but not the new convention.

Article 24

The English and French versions of this convention are equally authoritative.

Ratifications

As of December 2022, the convention has been ratified by 35 states.[3]

Antigua and Barbuda 16 Sep 2002 In Force
Belgium 28 Feb 2011 In Force
Benin 10 Nov 1998 In Force
Bosnia and Herzegovina 02 Jun 1993 In Force
Brazil 18 May 1990 In Force
Burkina Faso 25 Aug 1997 In Force
Chile 30 Sep 1999 In Force
Croatia 08 Oct 1991 In Force
Czech Republic 01 Jan 1993 In Force
Finland 27 Apr 1987 In Force
Gabon 28 Jul 2015 In Force
Germany 17 Oct 1994 In Force
Guatemala 18 Apr 1989 In Force
Hungary 24 Feb 1988 In Force
Ivory Coast 01 Apr 2016 In Force
Luxembourg 08 Apr 2008 In Force
Mexico 17 Feb 1987 In Force
Moldova 25 May 2021 In Force
Montenegro 03 Jun 2006 In Force
Niger 19 Feb 2009 In Force
North Macedonia 17 Nov 1991 In Force
Poland 15 Sep 2004 In Force
San Marino 19 Apr 1988 In Force
Senegal 01 Mar 2021 In Force
Serbia 24 Nov 2000 In Force
Seychelles 28 Oct 2005 In Force
Slovakia 01 Jan 1993 In Force
Slovenia 29 May 1992 In Force
Sweden 01 Jul 1986 In Force
Turkey 22 Apr 2005 In Force
Ukraine 17 Jun 2010 In Force
Uruguay 05 Sep 1988 In Force
Zimbabwe 09 Apr 2003 In Force

References


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