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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report once again does not contain any new information in reply to its previous comments. The Committee is therefore bound to take up once again the matters which it raised previously. It hopes that the Government will not fail to take the necessary measures and to provide full particulars on the points raised in its previous comment, which reads as follows:

1.  Article 1 of the Convention.  The Committee notes that the Government’s indications in relation to the terms "manual transport of loads" and "regular manual transport of loads" do not define these terms clearly. It also notes the Government’s indication that there are three age classes to define the term "young worker". The Committee requests the Government to indicate how the terms "manual transport of loads" and "regular manual transport of loads" are defined in national law and practice by indicating the respective legal provisions. Furthermore, it requests the Government to explain in detail how and by what measures the term "young worker" is defined for the purpose of this Convention.

2.  Article 6.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication that section 54 of the Labour Protection Act, which also covers all areas of handling/moving materials, requires the employer to make a risk assessment. The Committee recalls that Article 6 of the Convention calls for suitable technical devices to be used as much as possible in order to limit or facilitate the manual transport of loads. It requests the Government to supply information on the measures taken to ensure that effect is given to this Article of the Convention.

3.  Article 8.  The Committee notes with interest that Council Directive No. 90/269 on the minimum health requirements for the manual handling of loads where there is a risk particularly of back injury to workers is currently in the process of being implemented at the national level, and that to this effect it is being discussed in the Labour Protection Committee of the Interest Reconciliation Council with a view to preparing its enactment as a ministerial decree. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply a copy of the ministerial decree as soon as it has been adopted.

4.  Part III of the report form.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, due to organizational changes at the beginning of 1997, inspections are carried out by the county and city occupational health and safety inspectorates. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the organizational structure of the inspection services, as well as their working methods for the supervision of the legislation which gives effect to the provisions of the Convention.

5.  The Committee requests the Government to supply a copy of the Labour Protection Act and of Decree No. 2/1972 (MK6) of the Minister of Transport and Postal Services.