Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2003, publiée 92ème session CIT (2004)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the comments made by the Norwegian Federation of Trade Unions (LO) of January 2001 concerning the downsizing of the staff of labour inspection in agriculture and its consequences on the working environment and the manner in which occupational safety issues are addressed in this sector. According to the Government, this reduction is a consequence of the decline in the number of farms, which are also subject to inspection in relation to occupational hazards by other labour inspector experts with competence in the various sectors.

The Government also refers to the active cooperation, through training courses and the dissemination of information on accident prevention, of the farmers’ organization and indicates the establishment by the Norwegian Agriculture Cooperation and client companies of farms of a mandatory quality management system, including occupational health and safety aspects.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide a copy of any document relating to the above quality management system and of any legal text by virtue of which health and safety issues in farms are covered by specialized inspectors outside the agricultural labour inspection services.