booklet 2 environmental indicators of development · using ilo standards to promote environmentally...

Using ILO Standards to PromoteEnvironmentally SustainableDevelopment

Booklet 2

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORSOF DEVELOPMENT

Workers’ Education and EnvironmentProject INT93/M12/NOR

Bureau for Workers’ ActivitiesInternational Labour Office Geneva

This booklet is one of nine booklets in the series “Using ILO Stand-ards to Promote Environmentally Sustainable Development”.

The series was produced in 1996 as part of the international LabourOrganization project “Workers’ Education and Environment”(INT/93/M12/NOR), sponsored by the Government of Norway.

It comprises:

Guide to the Booklets

1. The ILO and its Standards

2. Environmental Indicators of Development

3. Political Indicators of Development

4. Economic Development and Security

5. Social Development

6. Equality of Opportunity and Treatment

7. Education and Training

8. International Development

Publication does not consitute endorsement by the ILO.You are invited to copy, excerpt, adapt and translate the materi-als for non-commercial purposes, and to make them appropriatefor your education and training activities. The ILO, however, doesnot acept responsibility for sich republication.

Please acknowledge the source and send a copy of the reprintto the Bureau for Workers’ Activities, ILO.

While every effort has been made to contact the copyright hol-ders for materials reproduced herein, we would be happy to hearfrom any unacknowledged source.

For more information about the project, please contact:

Bureau for Workers’ ActivitiesInternational Labour Office4, route des Morillons, CH-1211,Geneva 22, Switzerland

Fax: 41-22-799-6570.E-mail:[email protected]

Photographs: Jacques Maillard, ILO Geneva, unless otherwise stated.Design and printing: International Training Centre of the ILO Turin, Italy.

Introduction

In this booklet we look at some ILO instruments —Resolutions, Conventions and Recommendations —which relate to the environmental issues discussed inother booklets in the “Workers’ Education and Environ-ment” series, and which may help you, as trade union-ists, promote union policies on environmentallysustainable development.

Environmental issues are many and varied. In the dis-cussion booklets on “Trade Unions and EnvironmentallySustainable Development” we mentioned several, in-cluding:

◆ protection of national resources

◆ biodiversity

◆ energy

◆ urbanisation

◆ managing wastes

◆ transport

◆ pollution of air, soil and water

◆ global issues of pollution

◆ links between the working and the living environ-ment.

As those booklets pointed out, we need to make effec-tive policies and, more importantly, take action onthese, and other, environmental issues so that ourmembers do not suffer in the overall drive for develop-ment. One of the tools we have to further our needs inthis area is to use ILO instruments to encourage tripar-tism and influence national laws.

A major development in the ILO’s activities in the envi-ronmental field came in 1990 when “Environment andthe World of Work” was the theme of the report of theDirector-General to the International Labour Confer-ence. In that same year, the Conference adopted aresolution concerning environment, development,employment and the role of the ILO. This resolutioncalled on the ILO to take account of environmentalaspects in developing new, and revising existing, Con-

Environmental Indicators of Development 1

ventions and Recommendations to protect the work-ing and general environment and promote environ-mentally sound economic and social development.

This booklet points out that, as far as Conventions areconcerned, the ILO’s major efforts in the environ-mental field are aimed at pushing for the widest possi-ble ratification of Conventions on the workingenvironment. The reasoning behind this is that well-managed health and safety programmes at the work-place can make an important contribution to theprotection of the environment. Trade unions have alsooften made use of this working environment/generalenvironment link to promote their actions on environ-mental issues.

This booklet then looks mainly — but not entirely — atsome Conventions relating to occupational healthand safety. It divides such Conventions into those con-cerned with the general working environment, thoseconcerned with specific risks, such as chemicals, andthose relating to different sectors of industry or activity.It also looks at the Convention on Tribal and IndigenousPeoples which recognises the special importance oflands, traditional activities and the total environmentfor these peoples.

Hopefully, the following pages will help you:

◆ understand what isavailable in the form of ILO stand-ards to help promote your union’s environmentalpolicies,

◆ understand the more relevant standards,

◆ use the standards to back up your case for change.

2 ILO - Workers' Education and Environment

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

The protection of the general environment, includingnational resources and the air, soil and water on whichwe depend, has taken on increasing importance inrecent years. Conservation of the world’s resourcesand a stop to pollution of the environment is essentialto the satisfaction of basic human needs, and so havebecome a major theme in union activities and in vari-ous ILO programmes. In this respect, the ILO has ex-panded environmentally-related activities in the fieldsof employment, management and training, the work-ing environment, industrial relations, sectoral activitiesand tripartism.

Environment and theWorld of Work

Environment and the World of Work was the theme ofthe report of the ILO Director-General to the Interna-tional Labour Conference in June 1990. This reportpointed out that the ILO has an obvious role to play inenvironmental matters on two counts:

❝ much of the damage done to the environ-ment is created by industrial society, by produc-tion and by labour. Therefore the ILO muststudy theeffectsofenvironmentalprotectiononemployment and income, working and livingconditions, the development of workers’ skills,etc. ❞

❝ non-production, lack of work and extremepoverty can also give rise to environmentalproblems. ❞

The ILO therefore has its share of responsibility in themanagement of natural and human resources and thereport on Environment and the World of Work looks atthese responsibilities towards the environment. Also inJune 1990 the International Labour Conferenceadopted a Resolution concerning environment, devel-opment, employment and the role of the ILO. Thisresolution noted, among other things, that

❝ ...continuing environmental damage presentsa serious and growing threat to the quality ofhuman life and the prospects for future eco-nomic activity and employment throughout theworld...❞


It also noted that

❝ The ILO’s tripartite structure provides specialopportunities for examining the social and eco-nomic aspects of environmental protection.❞

It then called upon governments, employers’ andworkers’ organizations to, among other things:

❝ promote employment policies and technolo-gies which contribute to environmental protec-tion, a clean and healthy working environment,and sound and lasting employment ❞

❝ promote the restructuring of enterprises andother activities whichare aheavy burden ontheenvironmentwhilstmaintainingor increasingthenumber of jobs involved ❞

❝ strengthen cooperation and collaborationbetween countries and organizations con-cerned ❞

❝ strengthen education, training, and informa-tion activities concerning environmental pro-tection, employment and development.❞

It also instructed the ILO to take due account of envi-ronmental aspects in developing new, and revisingexisting, Conventions and Recommendations, to pro-tect the working and general environment and pro-mote environmentally-sound economic and socialdevelopment.

So, what Conventions and Recommendations arethere concerning the environmental aspects of theworld of work? So far, there are none specifically on theenvironment, and workers’ delegates to the annualInternational Labour Conference can testify to the dif-ficulty in getting environmental aspects mentioned inany ILO Conventions, despite the request of the 1990resolution mentioned above.

Environmental issues are many and varied. The discus-sion booklets on “Trade Unions and EnvironmentallySustainable Development” looked at such issues asnational resources, energy, biodiversity, pollution of air,soil and water, waste reduction and recycling, trans-port, urbanisation and the interaction between theliving and working environment. Several of these issuesare mentioned in the resolution on environment, devel-opment, employment and the role of the ILO, but it isthe working environment that remains the main link


when considering what Conventions and Recommen-dations are available in this area.

Linking the workingand living

environment

Perhaps the nearest mention to the relationship be-tween the working and general environment can befound in:

◆ Convention No. 170 concerning Safety in the Use ofChemicals at Work, which notes that the protectionof workers from the harmful effects of chemicals alsoenhances the protection of the general public andthe environment.

◆ Convention No. 174 on the Prevention of Major In-dustrial Accidents which calls on member States toimplement a policy concerning the protection ofworkers, the public and the environment against therisk of major accidents.

◆ Convention No. 176 concerning Safety and Healthin Mines recognises that it is desirable to preventdamagetotheenvironmentfromminingoperations.

◆ Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peo-ples in Independent Countries contains a number ofreferences to environmental issues.


Thus the ILO’s efforts in the environmental field areaimed at pushing for the widest possible ratification ofConventions on the working environment and of theseConventions in particular.

Many unions have also built on the link between theworking and general environment, and have used, orare thinking of using, existing structures at work, such ashealth and safety committees, and/or safety repre-sentatives, to promote their participation in environ-mental matters. In this way the same representativescan look at the environment both in and outside theworkplace, and their relationships. Some unions areforming environmental committees to further their poli-cies at national level. This is particularly important asAgenda 21 (the Action Plan that came out of the 1992UN Conference on Environment and Development)calls for each country to form national and regionalenvironment committees on which workers are to berepresented. However, until the resources and abilitiesare available for unions to take advantage of dedi-cated environment committees, the idea of integrat-ing environmental issues into workplace health andsafety, and other, activities may be a logical first stepto take.

This is especially important when we consider that thestrategies that unions have used in their struggle for ahealthy workplace and the rights they have won in thisrespect, can very easily be extended to their concernover the environment. It may even be that environ-mental matters are best promoted at the workplacewhich is the source of much pollution and where work-ers can draw on their knowledge of the productionprocess, the substances used and company policies,to help resolve the environmental impact of work ac-tivities.

For just as a health and safety representative is trainedto look for hazards in the working environment, oftenby using a checklist, so can he or she look at theenvironmental problems surrounding a company’s ac-tivities. The aim is to be able to identify, assess andimprove company practices regarding such issues aswhich pollutants are emitted into the air, soil and water;what wastes are produced; what can be done toreduce them, etc.

National andregional

environmentcommittees


An environmental audit goes further than using achecklist, however. It also looks at the organization andthe methods used both inside and outside the work-place to deal with environmental hazards.

(A fuller discussion of environmental audits, including asample checklist, can be found in the discussion book-lets on “Workers’ Education and Environment”. Achecklist can also be found in the booklets on “TradeUnions and Environmentally Sustainable Develop-ment”).

Thus, the link between the working environment andthe general environment cannot be emphasisedenough.

Since well-managed health and safety programmes atthe workplace can make an important contribution tothe protection of the enviroment let us now look atsome Conventions relating to occupational healthand safety, and how they can be extended to helpyou look at the general environment.

DISCUSSION POINTSEnvironmental issues cover a very broad area.There are no specific Conventions on the subject,and most Conventions do not acknowledge theILO’s role in environmental matters.

◆ How does your union feel about this?

◆ What is your union’s policy and practice on en-vironment and sustainable development is-sues?

◆ How can Conventions and Recommendationsbe expanded from the narrow working envi-ronment aspect to include the environmentalconsequences of industry or other sectors ofactivity? Any other environmentally-linked is-sue?


General working environment

Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety,Health and Working Environment

Supplemented by Recommendation No. 164 andadopted in 1981, this Convention has been ratified by26 countries.

AIM To implement a national policy to ensure greaterhealth and safety at work.

SUMMARY This Convention means that member States shall, inconsultation with workers’ organizations, formulate, im-plement and periodically revise a national policy onoccupational health, safety and the working environ-ment.

Its aim is to prevent accidents and injuries arising out ofwork by minimising the causes of hazards in the workingenvironment.

Such a policy shall take account of such issues as:

◆ design, choice, use and maintenance of work-places, tools,machinery,chemicals,workprocesses,etc.

◆ adaptationofmachinery,equipment,workingtime,organizationofworkandworkprocessestothephysi-cal and mental capacities of the worker’s training

◆ communication and cooperation

◆ protection of workers and their representatives fromdisciplinarymeasuresasa resultof theiractions takenin good faith.

The Convention also lays down detailed provisions foraction at the national level and at the level of theundertaking, including:

◆ the enforcement of laws by an adequate system ofinspection, and adequate penalties for violations oflaws and regulations

◆ determination of work processes and substancesthat may have to be banned or restricted


◆ procedures for notification of occupational acci-dents and diseases

◆ investigation of serious work-related problems.

One particularly important provision relates to the pro-tection of workers who remove themselves from a worksituation they believe to be a serious and immediatedanger. In such a case, the Convention says, theworker will be protected from “undue consequences”,usually taken to mean some sort of punishment.

The Convention also requires, among other things, thatemployers provide protective clothing and equipmentwhere necessary, and first aid and emergency ar-rangements.

The Convention also tackles the problem of contractworkers by calling on all the enterprises engaged inany one workplace to collaborate in applying its pro-visions.


ActivityActivityRead ILO Convention No. 155 on OccupationalHealth, Safety and Working Environment.

Step 1:

◆ Compare its provisions with the functioning ofsafety and health in your workplace.

◆ Prepare a report to management stating theshortcomings in your workplace and requestingaction based on the provisions of theConvention.

Step 2:

◆ Now think about how you can extend itsprovisions to help you carry out an audit on theenvironmental impact of your workplace.

◆ Prepare a checklist to cover the areasdiscussed in the Convention and which couldhelp you identify and assess possibleenvironmental problems linked to yourworkplace.

◆ Use your checklist to carry out anenvironmental audit

◆ Prepare a report to management requestingaction based on the environmental impact ofyour workplace.


Convention No. 161 concerningOccupational Health Services

This Convention, supplemented by RecommendationNo. 171, was adopted in 1985. It has been ratified by15 countries.

AIM To promote the physical and mental health of all work-ers through a preventive occupational health service.

SUMMARY Ratifying States undertake to develop occupationalhealth services for all workers in all branches of eco-nomic activity and all undertakings.

These services may be organized for a single undertak-ing or for some together.

The services are to be essentially preventive in natureand aim at establishing a safe, healthy and well-adapted working environment.

The tasks of occupational health services are to:

◆ identify and assess risks at the workplace

◆ monitor the working environment and work prac-tices and workers’ health

◆ give advice on planning and organization of work,design of workplaces, occupational health, safetyand hygiene, protective equipment

◆ promote the adaptation of work to the worker

◆ help vocational rehabilitation

◆ help provide information, training, education

◆ organize first aid, emergency treatment

◆ partcipate in analysis of accidents and diseases atwork.


The Convention lays down conditions of operation foroccupational health services, including the qualifica-tions and independency (from employers) of the per-sonnel.

Particularly important provisions for workers include thefact that monitoring of their health in relation to workshall be free of charge and shall take place as far aspossible during working hours. It shall involve no loss ofearnings. Workers also have the right to be informed ofhazards in their work.


Specific risks of theworking environment

There are a number of ILO standards that are designedto protect workers against specific risks, and these arealso the ones that are more likely to have an improvingeffect on the environment.

The link between the working environment and thegeneral environment is obvious in the case of majoraccidents such as those that occurred in Bhopal, India,Mexico City, Seveso in Italy, Chernobyl. These acci-dents, when they occur, have the potential to kill andinjure large numbers of workers both inside and outsidethe plant, and cause great damage to the generalpublic and the environment, sometimes far away.

After the Bhopal accident in 1984, the 71st Session ofthe International Labour Conference adopted, in1985, a resolution concerning the Promotion of Meas-ures against Risks and Accidents Arising out of the Useof Dangerous Substances and Processes in Industry.This was followed up by a practical manual on majorhazard control, and, in 1991, by a Code of Practice onthe Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents. 1993 sawa Convention on the same topic.


Convention No. 174 onPrevention of Major Industrial Accidents

Supplemented by Recommendation No. 181, this Con-vention was adopted in 1993. So far, up to February1996, there have been two ratifications.

AIM Prevention of major industrial accidents involving haz-ardous substances, and the limitation of the conse-quences of such accidents should they occur.

SUMMARY The Convention deals with “major hazard installations”only. These are defined in the Convention. It does notcover nuclear installations and plants handling radio-active substances, military installations and transportoutside the site or installation (except by pipeline — animportant point as pipeline failures can, and do, causeheavy loss of life).

Any member State that ratifies this Convention has todraw up and implement, in consultation with workers’organizations, a national policy to protect workers, thepublic and the environment against the risk of majorindustrial accidents. Such a policy shall, where practi-cable, promote the use of best available safety tech-nologies. The Convention calls for the identification ofmajor hazard installations and the responsibility of em-ployers to notify the authorities of any such installation.

It contains detailed provisions on arrangements to pre-vent major accidents and to limit their consequences.These include systems of major hazard control, techni-cal and organizational measures, consultation withworkers and their representatives, safety reports, acci-dent reporting, analyses of the causes of accidents,off-site preparations for emergencies which should,among other things, take account of possible effectsof an accident in other countries, siting of hazardousinstallations, inspection.

Special provisions refer to the rights and duties of work-ers and their representatives as regards information onhazards, training and instruction in the prevention andcontrol of developments likely to lead to major acci-dents, and interruption of an activity they believemight lead to a major accident. The Convention alsoraises the responsibility of States exporting prohibitedsubstances, technologies or processes.


Convention No. 170 on Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work

Supplemented by Recommendation 177, this Conven-tion was adopted in 1990. It has been ratified by 5countries.

AIM To prevent or reduce the rate of illnesses and injuries atwork that may be caused by chemicals.

SUMMARY This Convention applies to all branches of economicactivity in which chemicals are used. Workers’ organi-zations must be consulted if exceptions are to bemade.

The Convention covers all aspects of a chemical’s lifecycle, including problems arising from its production,handling, storage, transport, disposal, treatment ofwaste and release from work activities, as well as fromcleaning and repair of equipment and containers of it.

Detailed provisions concern classification systems ofchemicals, their labelling and marking, chemicalsafety data sheets, responsibilities of suppliers andthose of employers (identification of chemicals at theworkplace, their transfer and disposal, exposure ofworkers to chemicals, information, training, and coop-eration with workers).

It also lays down the duties (cooperation and reason-able precautions to take) and rights (to informationand to remove themselves from danger) of workers.


Convention No. 162and

RecommendationNo. 172 on Asbestos

Several other Conventions and Recommendations ex-ist to help prevent specific risks. Most notable amongstthese are Convention No. 162 and RecommendationNo. 172 on Asbestos. Adopted in 1986 and ratified by20 countries, the Convention aims at preventing healthhazards due to occupational exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a well-known health and environmentalhazard, posing problems to workers and the generalpublic and the environment. The public are particularlyexposed through industrial practices such as mining ofasbestos, demolition of buildings containing asbestos,disposal of asbestos waste, and through home expo-sure from asbestos-containing products such as roof-ing, and water pipes, or from contaminated clothingbrought home from work by members of the family.

Although this Convention is aimed only at occupa-tional exposures to asbestos it does contain severalprovisions that could lead to a marked reduction inenvironmental exposures also. These include:

◆ a ban on crocidolite, or blue, asbestos, thought tobe the most dangerous kind;

◆ a ban on spraying of all types of asbestos;

◆ demolition of structures containing asbestos insula-tion materials to be done only by authorised employ-ers or contractors;

◆ a ban on the taking home of work clothing and spe-cialprotectiveclothingthat iscontaminated withas-bestos dust. In such circumstances the employer hasto provide work clothing and cleaning of it.

Convention No. 139and

RecommendationNo. 147 on

OccupationalCancer

The prevention of occupational cancer is the aim ofConvention No. 139 and Recommendation No. 147 onOccupational Cancer, both adopted in 1974. Ratifiedby 31 countries, this Convention obliges ratifying Statesto periodically determine if there are any cancer-caus-ing substances and agents to which it should ban orrestrict worker exposure. In this case States have tomake every effort to have such substances replacedby non-cancer-causing ones. They also have to imple-ment protective measures, supervisory (inspection)measures, information requirements and medical ex-aminations, tests and investigations to evaluate work-ers’ exposure and health.


ActivityActivityChoose an occupational health problem which isparticularly important to you and has beencovered by an ILO Convention (examples includechemicals, benzene, occupational cancer,asbestos, etc.) and study the relevant Convention.

Step 1:

◆ Compare how its provisions relate to conditionsconcerning the problem in your workplace.

◆ Prepare a report to management stating theshortcomings in your workplace and requestingaction based on the provisions of theConvention.

Step 2:

◆ Now think about how its provisions can beextended to help you assess the environmentaleffects of the problem.

◆ Prepare a checklist to help you identify andassess the possible environmental impact of thechosen problem.

◆ Prepare a report to management requestingaction.


Sector-specific risks

All industries and economic activities, to some degree,will affect the environment through exploitation of re-sources or pollution with their processes and wasteproducts. The mining industry springs to mind, but thereare others such as the building industry, construction,fishing. . . In any area of activity there are alwaysproblems of occupational health and safety, workingconditions, etc. that will have an effect on the workerand on his or her life. The ILO gives various forms ofspecial protection to several branches of industry.Some of the Conventions and Recommendationsdealing with different sectors are listed below. TheSafety and Health in Mines Convention, No. 176, isdealt with here as relevant to a well-known health andsafety and environmental hazard.


Convention No. 176 on Safety and Health in Mines

Supplemented by Recommendation 183, this Conven-tion was adopted in 1995. It had not, by February 1996,received any ratifications, which is not surprising con-sidering the short time since adoption.

AIM Prevention of fatalities, injuries and ill-health in the min-ing industry.

SUMMARY The Convention recognises that it is desirable to pre-vent fatalities, injuries or ill-health affecting workers ormembers of the public, or damage to the environmentarising from mining activities.

It deals with surface or underground sites which par-ticularly concern: exploration for minerals which in-volves the mechanical disturbance of the ground;extraction of minerals; and the preparation of ex-tracted material. It also covers the machinery, equip-ment, appliances, plant, buildings and civilengineering structures used in connection with theabove-mentioned activities.

Oil and gas exploration and extraction are specificallyexcluded from the terms of the Convention, as may becertain categories of mines if, after consultation withworkers’ and employers’ organizations, it is determinedthat the overall protection at such mines is at leastequal to the provisions of the Convention.

Any member State that ratifies the Convention has todraw up and implement, in consultation with workers’organizations, a national policy on safety and health inmines.

The Convention states that national laws and regula-tions shall provide for the supervision of health andsafety in mines; inspections; procedures for reportingand investigating fatal and serious accidents, danger-ous occurrences and mine disasters; compilation andpublication of such statistics; powers to suspend orrestrict mining activities; and procedures to ensure therights of workers and their representatives to be con-sulted and to participate in matters relating to healthand safety at the workplace.


It also calls for requirements for the safe storage, trans-portation and disposal of hazardous substances usedin the mining process, and of waste produced at themine.

Special provisions refer to the rights and duties of work-ers and their representatives as regards reporting ofaccidents, dangerous occurrences and hazards; in-spections; information on hazards; removing them-selves from danger; representation; participation;consultation, etc.

ActivityActivityUSING ILO CONVENTIONS

◆ What effects can your industry/factory/workhave on the environment and vice-versa?

◆ Is there an ILO standard or national law or anagreement that could help you study and helpremedy the problem?

◆ Use the Worksheet found in these materials tohelp you record your findings.


Indigenous and tribal peoples

Interestingly, the ILO Convention that integrates envi-ronmental concerns the most is not one which dealswith occupational health and safety, but is rather theConvention on Tribal and Indigenous Peoples. This ishardly surprising when we consider the special valuesthat these peoples attribute to their lands, resourcesand traditional activities, and thus their dependenceon an environment of quality and sustainability.

This Convention will therefore be considered here inrelation to its environmental aspects. It is also consid-ered in detail in the booklet on “Equality of Opportunityand Treatment” in the framework of securing freedomfrom discrimination and generally improving the livingand working conditions of tribal and indigenous peo-ples. (This very important Convention could also fit intoother booklets in this series, such as those on “PoliticalIndicators”, in reference to fundamental human rights,or on “Economic Development and Security” in rela-tion to conditions of employment, on “Social Develop-ment”, etc.)

Convention No. 169 on Indigenous andTribal Peoples in Independent Countries

Adopted in 1989, this Convention has been ratified by8 countries.

AIM To protect the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples inindependent countries and to guarantee respect fortheir integrity

SUMMARY This Convention defines tribal peoples as those whosesocial, cultural and economic conditions distinguishthem from other sections of the national community,and whose status is regulated by their own customs,traditions or special laws.

Indigenous peoples are those who are regarded ashaving descended from the populations which inhab-ited the country or geographic region at the time ofconquest or colonisation or the establishment of pre-sent state boundaries, and who retain their own social,economic, cultural and political institutions.


The Convention recognises the distinctive contributionof indigenous and tribal peoples to the ecologicalharmony of humankind.

Provisions are given for generally safeguarding, amongother things, the environment of the peoples con-cerned. Governments ratifying this Convention mustensure that studies are carried out in cooperation withthe peoples concerned to assess the social, spiritual,cultural and environmental impact on them ofplanned development activities.

The Convention also takes account of the special rela-tionship of indigenous and tribal peoples to the landsand territories (meaning the total environment of theareas which they occupy or use). It safeguards theirright to natural resources, including the right to partici-pate in the use, management and conservation ofthese resources.

It lays down provisions to prevent other people fromtaking advantage of their customs to secure posses-sion or use of their lands. They shall not be removedfrom the lands they occupy, or only in exceptionalcircumstances and with their informed consent and,wherever possible, with the right of return to their tradi-tional lands. If this is not possible, then they shall beprovided with lands of quality, suitable to provide fortheir present needs and future development.


Some International Labour Standards concerningenvironment and occupational health and safety

(Those highlighted have been summarised in the textabove)

◆ Resolution concerning Environment, Development,Employment and the Role of the ILO, adopted bythe International Labour Conference 1990

General workingenvironment

◆ Holidays with Pay, C52 (1936) revised C132 (1970)

◆ Holidays with Pay (Agriculture) C101 (1952)

◆ Hours of Work, C47 (1935)

◆ Reduction of Hours of Work, R116 (1962)

◆ Weekly Rest (Industry) C14 (1921)

◆

◆ Guarding of Machinery, C119 and R118 (1963)

◆ Maximum Weights, C127 and R128 (1967)

◆ Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise, Vibration)C148 and R156 (1977)

Sector-specific risks There are too many standards relating to different sec-tors of economic activity to list here. The sectors cov-ered include:

Seafarers. There are over 50 Conventions and Recom-mendations relating to different aspects of protectionof seafarers, such as training and entry into employ-ment, general conditions of employment, safety,health and welfare, social security, etc.

Fishermen. Seven Conventions and Recommenda-tions.

Mining.

◆ Safety and Health in Mines, C 176 and R183

Inland Navigation.

Plantations.

Tenants and Sharecroppers.

Nursing Personnel

Dock work.

Building Industry and Construction. Particularly stand-ards on:

◆ Safety and Health in Construction, C167 and R175(1988)

◆ Safety Provisions (Building) C62 and R53 (1937)

Commerce and Offices. Partciularly:

◆ Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) C120 and R120(1964)

Transport. Particularly:

◆ HoursofWorkandRestPeriods(RoadTransport)C153and R161 (1979)

Agriculture.

Tribal andIndigenous peoples

◆ Indigenous and Tribal Populations (Revised) C169(1989)


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NotesNotesNotes


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