Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that with regard to the frequency of inspection visits the Government is placing more emphasis on development and investigations than on the traditional form of action of inspection visits to workplaces. It also notes the Government's statement that the reduction in inspection activities is due to cuts in the resources of the Occupational Safety Inspectorates, as well as the need for inspection visits to particularly demanding workplaces, which reduces the number of visits in general. It further notes the statement that it is not only the frequency but also the quality of the inspection visits that have a bearing on the number of accidents and occupational diseases.

The Committee notes the further observation made by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) that the decrease in the number of safety inspections will be reflected in the number of accidents and occupational diseases. It also notes that, while both the Government and SAK consider inspection of workplaces in the service sector to be relatively few, the Government thinks this is reasonable as these undertakings are not specially dangerous, whilst SAK is of the view that the need for inspection in this sector is rising. The Committee further notes that according to SAK occupational safety supervision activities have been adversely affected by the prolonged organizational reforms of the occupational safety administration, and observance of the tripartite principle during the reform period was sporadic. The Committee would be grateful if the next report will provide particulars on the practical application of the organizational reforms and hopes that the Government will bear in mind the requirements of Article 5(b) of the Convention.

Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes that annual reports on the activities of the inspection services have not been received. It hopes in future such reports will be transmitted as required by these Articles of the Convention.