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1. The Committee notes the Government's reply to its previous comments relating to remarks made earlier by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) concerning the number of accidents during the use of machinery, and the need to intensify the supervision of labour protection. The Government states that during the period between 1992 to 1997 seminars and courses were arranged in cooperation with other Governmental bodies, the Finnish Metal Workers' Union and various educational institutes. It adds that training for workers is provided by special institutions, such as the Institute of Occupational Health and the Centre for Industrial Safety.

2. Article 15, paragraph 2, of the Convention and point V of the report form. Further to its previous comments based on remarks made earlier by SAK, the Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report that technical deficiencies and other defects found in workplaces were eliminated with inspections carried out at individual workplaces. Inspections normally cover the entire workplace environment and its occupational safety and health scheme, but individual machines are also inspected. Citing the 1996 statistics, the Government states that a total of 650 inspections of machinery and equipment were carried out, taking up a total of more than 2,300 hours and covering some 40,000 people. It adds that the safe use of machinery is controlled not only by the authorities but also by the workplaces themselves. It is the duty of occupational safety and health inspection to ensure that safety-related arrangements (internal control systems, production quality systems, etc.) are competent and effective. Information on what the Government calls the new approach in safety standards, relevant directives and corresponding national regulations have been disseminated through a series of publications which were prepared to explain the content of the directives and to give manufacturers recommendations for ensuring the conformity of their products with the relevant requirements. Occupational safety supervision is targeted at problematic sectors and dangerous professions on the basis of observation, statistics and other sources of information. Priority is given to supervision and advice in response to requests from customers.

The Committee notes from the Government's report the statement made by SAK that in spite of the new regulations, the number of injuries occurring in the use of machinery continues to be too high. SAK is of the opinion that a central issue in the prevention of accidents and injuries is the provision of better guidance and training for employees before they start using any machinery. In addition, it indicated that the supervision of occupational safety should also be intensified in this respect. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to follow the evolution of the situation and to keep the Office informed on the measures taken or envisaged to reduce the number of injuries occurring in the use of machinery.

3. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's reply and the enclosed copy of the Council of State Decision on machine safety (1994/1314) implementing the EEC's Council Directive (89/392/EEC) and its amendments (91/368/EEC, 93/44/EEC and 93/68/EEC).