Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Sweden (Ratification: 1975)

The Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's report in reply to its previous direct request.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government concerning the computerisation of the official register of the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health (the "Board") into which all data concerning permits for the handling of carcinogenic substances issued by authority of the Occupational Exposure Limit Values Ordinance, as well as the permits issued by the Board under the Asbestos Ordinance, are entered. It further notes that measures are being taken to develop this database so that all previous manual records can also be entered into the computerised register. The Government has also indicated in its report that the Board has begun drafting special Ordinances on work with carcinogenic substances which will take into account the provisions of this Article of the Convention. The Government is requested to continue to provide information on the measures taken to protect workers against the risks of exposure to carcinogenic substances and to communicate copies of these special ordinances once they are adopted.

Article 5. In its previous comments, the Committee had noted that only workers exposed to asbestos were provided with medical examinations during their employment and that workers previously exposed to asbestos were engaged in voluntary medical examinations. The Committee had requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that all workers exposed to all types of carcinogenic substances undergo medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations during the period of employment and thereafter. The Government has indicated, in its latest report, that the provisions of this Article would be taken into account in the draft special Ordinances on work with carcinogenic substances. The Government has also indicated, however, that the Board cannot make it obligatory for an employer to provide post-employment medical examinations. The Committee would recall that the inclusion of post-employment medical examinations, as necessary, to evaluate the exposure to carcinogenic substances and to supervise the state of health of the worker in relation to the occupational hazards was intended to respond to the not uncommon situation wherein the cancer is not detected until after a worker has terminated the employment involving exposure. The Committee, therefore, hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that (whether by the employer or by the State) all workers exposed to carcinogenic substances are provided with medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations during the period of employment and thereafter as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards. The Government is requested to indicate in its next report the progress made in this regard.