Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Repetition

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating the adoption of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 43/11) and the amendment of the rules on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical substances at work (Nos 102/10 and 43/11) (hereinafter the “Rules on chemical substances”); the rules on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances (No. 43/11) (hereinafter the “Rules on carcinogenic and mutagenic substances”), section 15 of which gives effect to Article 5 of the Convention; and the rules on preventive medical examinations of workers (No. 43/11). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regard to the application of the Convention.

Article 1(2) of the Convention. Derogations from the prohibition against occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the prohibition of the chemicals listed in annex III of the Rules on chemical substances does not apply in a number of specific cases, namely if the chemical substance is present in another substance or if it is a component of waste, provided that the content of the chemical substance is lower than the specified mass percentage. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether the Rules on carcinogenic and mutagenic substances provide for the granting of exemptions from the prohibition of carcinogenic substances, and if so, to specify the criteria that govern the granting of such exemptions.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are currently 65 employers in Slovenia who use carcinogens or mutagens and that employers attempt to replace such substances with less hazardous or non-hazardous chemical substances when it is technologically possible to do so. However, with reference to its previous comments relating to the lack of recording, by employers, of workers exposed to carcinogenic or mutagenic substances, the Committee notes that the Government does not provide information on measures taken or envisaged to address this issue. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to address the lack of recording, by employers, of workers exposed to carcinogenic or mutagenic substances. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, namely on the number of occupational diseases reported.