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In connection with the comments of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), supplied with its previous report, the Government refers to sections 36 and 40 of the Council of State Decision 915/85 under which an inspection of mechanical handling appliances and their loading devices should be carried out by an expert or community of experts qualified for the task and whose qualification should be confirmed by the Ministry of Labour in accordance with a decision which is at the stage of preparation. The Government is requested to provide a copy of this decision as soon as it has been adopted.

The Committee notes the comments made by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions, communicated by the Government. The SAK states that the European integration process has provoked the liberation of subcontracting in port operations increasing the number of operators in the Finnish ports. Inspections of equipment and monitoring of its conditions became more difficult due to the fact that the equipment is owned and used by persons other than those managing ports. In addition, special attention should be paid to dangerous prototype loaders and hired equipment, which are serviced and inspected by the owner, not the port keeper.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide full information on any improvement made in the inspection system.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1998.]