Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1988, published 75th ILC session (1988)

Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979 (No. 152) - Germany (Ratification: 1982)

The Committee notes the Government's first and second reports as well as the laws and regulations appended to these reports.

1. It requests the Government to supply additional information on the following points:

Article 1 of the Convention. Please indicate whether the organisations of employers and workers concerned were consulted regarding the definition of dock work as it is established in practice and as it also appears in the Regulations on the prevention of accidents VBG, section 1.

Article 5, paragraph 2. Please indicate how effect is given to the above provision of the Convention by virtue of which, 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.

Article 16, paragraphs 1 and 2. Please indicate: (a) the measures that are contemplated in order to ensure the safe transport of workers when they have to be transported to or from a ship or other place by water (the Regulations appended to the reports appear to refer only to the safety conditions when embarking and disembarking) and; (b) the means used to transport workers to or from a workplace on land and the prescribed safety measures, apart from general regulations on road transport.

Article 20, paragraph 4. Please indicate whether safety measures have been adopted for the protection of workers when dry bulk cargo is being loaded or unloaded in any hold or 'tween deck or when a worker is required to work in a bin or hopper on board ship.

Article 36, paragraph 1(c). Please indicate the range of special medical investigations deemed necessary in the case of workers exposed to special occupational health hazards, as laid down in Annex 1 to Regulation VBG 100, section 2.

Article 38, paragraph 2. The Committee notes that section 29, paragraph 1, of Regulation VBG 9 provides for a minimum age of 18 years, although only for operators of lifting appliances. Please indicate whether this minimum age is also laid down for operators of other cargo-handling appliances and whether young persons assigned to these duties must possess the necessary aptitudes and experience, in accordance with the Convention.

2. The Committee would also be grateful if the Government: (a) would indicate the measures that have been taken to give effect to the following provisions of the Convention: Article 13, paragraphs 4, 5 and 6; Article 18, paragraphs 1 to 3; Article 19, paragraph 2; Article 26, paragraph 1(b); Article 27, paragraph 3; and (b) would supply with its next report information on the practical application of the Convention, in accordance with point V of the report form on the Convention.