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The Committee takes note of the information supplied in the Government's report.

1. The Committee notes from the Government's report the statement made by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) in which it draws attention to the number of accidents during the use of machinery, and considers that it is necessary to intensify the supervision of the labour protection in this respect. In the Organization's view, special attention should be paid to improving the guidance and training of workers with regard to the use of machinery. The Government is requested to comment on this statement.

2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that appropriate inspection is carried out, in conformity with Article 15, paragraph 2, of the Convention. In particular, the Government is requested to give an appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including, for instance, extracts from official reports, reports of the inspection services, and information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, as well as on the number of occupational accidents reported (point V of the report form).

3. The Committee notes that Finland, as one of the EFTA countries which have signed the EEA agreement, is to carry into effect national provisions corresponding to the EC Directives and to repeal national provisions conflicting with the Directives. The Committee also notes that a proposal for a Council of State decision on machine safety corresponding to the Council Directive relating to machinery (89/392/EEC, 91/368/EEC) has been prepared and that it will be carried into effect simultaneously with the EEA agreement. The Government is requested to provide with its next report a copy of this text.

4. The Committee notes that, as a member of the Finnish Standards Association (SFS), the National Board of Labour Protection has taken an active part in the work of the European Standardization Organization (CEN) in the machine safety sector. The Committee also notes that the National Board of Labour Protection has drawn up a number of national standards falling within the scope of application of the Convention listed in the Government's report. The Committee requests the Government to provide their texts as soon as they have been approved.