ILO Convention concerning the Protection of Workers against Occupational Hazardsin the working environment due to Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration



Article 3

For the purpose of this Convention—

a) the term air pollution covers all air contaminated by substances, whatever their physical state, which are harmful to health or otherwise dangerous;

b) the term noise covers all sound which can result in hearing impairment or be harmful to health or otherwise dangerous;

c) the term vibration covers any vibration which is transmitted to the human body through solid structures and is harmful to health or otherwise dangerous.


Article 4

1. National laws or regulations shall prescribe that measures be taken for the prevention and control of , and protection against, occupational hazards in the working environment due to air pollution, noise and vibration.
2. Provision concerning the practical implementation of the measures so prescribed may be adopted through technical standards, codes or practice and other appropriate methods.


Article 5.1

In giving effect to the provisions of this convention, the competent authority shall act in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned.


Article 6

1. Employers shall be made responsible for compliance with the prescribed measures.
2. Whenever two or more employers undertake activities simultaneously at one workplace, they shall have the duty to collaborate in order to comply with the prescribed measures, without prejudice to the responsibility of each employer for the health and safety of his employees. In appropriate circumstances, the competent authority shall prescribe general procedures for this collaboration.


Article 7.1

Workers shall be required to comply with safety procedures retaining to the prevention and control of, and protection against, occupational hazards due to air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment.


Article 11.1

There shall be supervision at suitable intervals, on conditions and in circumstances determined by the competent authority, of the health workers exposed or liable to be exposed to occupational hazards due to air pollution, noise or vibration in the working environment. Such supervision shall include a pre-assignment medical examination and periodical examinations, as determined by the competent authority.


Article 15

On conditions and in circumstances determined by the competent authority the employer shall be required to appoint a competent person, or use a competent outside service or service common to several undertakings, to deal with matters pertaining to the prevention and control of air pollution, noise and vibration in the working environment.


Article 16

Each Member shall—

a) by laws or regulations or any other method consistent with national practice and conditions take such steps, including the provision of appropriate penalties, as may be necessary to give effect to the provision of this convention;

b) provide appropriate inspection services for the purpose of supervising the application of the provision of this convention, or satisfy itself that appropriate inspection is carried out.

Recommendation concerning the Protection of the Health of workers in Places of Employment: R097

All appropriate measures should be taken by the employer to ensure that the general conditions prevailing in places of employment are such as to provide adequate protection of the health of the workers concerned, and in particular that –

a) dirt and refuse do not accumulate so to cause risk of injury to health;
b) the floor space and height of workrooms are sufficient to prevent overcrowding of workers, or congestion owning to machinery, materials or products;
c) adequate and suitable lighting, natural and artificial, or both, is provided;
d) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained so as to avoid insufficient air supply and movement, vitiated air, harmful draughts, sudden variations in temperature, and, so far as is practicable, excessive humidity, excessive heat or cold, and objectionable odours;
e) sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences and washing facilities, and adequate supplies of wholesome drinking water, are provided in suitable places and properly maintained;
f) in cases where it is necessary for workers to change their clothing when commencing or ceasing work, changing rooms or other suitable facilitiesfor the changing and storage of clothing are provided and properly maintained;
g) in cases where the workers are prohibited from consuming food or drink at their workplaces, their is on the premises suitable accommodation for taking meals, unless appropriate arrangements exist for the workers to take their meals elsewhere;
h) measures are taken to eliminate or reduce as far as possible noise and vibration which constitute a danger to the health of workers;
i) provision is made for the storage under safe conditions dangerous substances.