Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report including the observations of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) concerning the temperature in workplaces.

2. Articles 5 and 18 of the Convention. National legislation and protection against noise and vibrations. The Committee notes with interest the recent legislative measures undertaken, and notes in particular the adoption of the Ordinance of the State Council on the safety and health requirements of workplaces (Ordinance No. 577 of 2003), which entered into force on 1 September 2003. It notes that the Ordinance ensures a continued application of most Articles of the Convention and that it repeals Ordinance No. 728 of 1999. It also notes with interest the adoption of Ordinance of the State Council on the protection of workers from risks caused by vibration and the Government’s statement that it will soon adopt new legislation to protect workers from noise. The Committee hopes that the legislation protecting workers from risks caused by noise will be adopted in the near future and requests the Government to submit a copy thereof once adopted.

3. Article 10. The temperature at the workplace. The Committee notes that Decree No. 577 of 2003 omits to provide that a comfortable and steady temperature shall be maintained in all premises used by workers. In this connection, it also notes the observations of the SAK that the temperature in stores fluctuate greatly between summer and winter periods and that in small workplaces the employers are unaware of the legislation. The Committee requests the Government to provide information in response to the concerns raised by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2006.]