CMNT_TITLE

Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - Zambia (RATIFICATION: 1980)

Other comments on C148

Observation

Direct Request

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Article 8 of the Convention. Exposure to hazards related to air pollution, noise and vibration. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the proposed noise regulations, which establish exposure limit values, have not yet been enacted. It also takes note of Schedule 1 of these proposed regulations, provided in the Government’s report, which sets out maximum acceptable sound pressure levels. Furthermore, the Committee notes that the Government indicates again that it has developed draft regulations on hazardous substances, in consultation with the social partners, which determine exposure limit values on the basis of common international practice. These values will be submitted to the competent minister for validation. The Committee firmly hopes that the Government will soon be in a position to report progress in the adoption of the proposed regulations on noise and hazardous substances and it requests the Government to communicate a copy of these texts once they have been adopted. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to establish criteria for determining the hazards of exposure to air pollution and vibration and to specify exposure limits for these hazards.

Article 15. Appointment of a competent person or use of a competent service to deal with matters pertaining to the prevention and control of air pollution, noise and vibration. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government indicates that employers are required to use a competent service for the prevention and control of air pollution, noise and vibration in case of emergency or where needed, for example where levels of exposure in the undertaking need to be monitored. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which it ensures that employers comply with their obligation to use a competent service to deal with matters pertaining to the prevention and control of air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment.

Application in practice. Noting the absence of the Government’s reply on this point, the Committee once again requests the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including the number and nature of contraventions reported and the number and nature of work-related accidents and cases of occupational disease reported which were caused by exposure to air pollution, noise or vibration.