Convention concerning the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health (ILO Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 187))

I. DEFINITIONS

Article 1

1. For the purpose of this Convention:

(a) the term national policy refers to the national policy on occupational safety and health and the working environment developed in accordance with the principles of Article 4 of the Occupational Safety and Health

Convention, 1981 (No. 155);

(b) the term national system for occupational safety and health or national system refers to the infrastructure which provides the main framework for implementing the national policy and national programmes on occupational safety and health;

(c) the term national programme on occupational safety and health or national programme refers to any national programme that includes objectives to be achieved in a predetermined time frame, priorities and means of action formulated to improve occupational safety and health, and means to assess progress;

(d) the term a national preventative safety and health culture refers to a culture in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where government, employers and workers actively

participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the principle of prevention is accorded the highest priority.

Article 2

2. (1) Each Member which ratifies this Convention shall promote continuous improvement of occupational safety and health to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths, by the development, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, of a national policy, national system and national programme.

2. (2) Each Member shall take active steps towards achieving progressively a safe and healthy working environment through a national system and national programmes on occupational safety and health by taking into account the principles set out in instruments of the International Labour Organization (ILO) relevant to the promotional framework for occupational safety and health.

2. (3) Each Member, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, shall periodically consider what measures could be taken to ratify relevant occupational safety and health Conventions of the ILO.

III. NATIONAL POLICY

Article 3

3. (1) Each Member shall promote a safe and healthy working environment by formulating a national policy.

3. (2) Each Member shall promote and advance, at all relevant levels, the right of workers to a safe and healthy working environment.

3. (3) In formulating its national policy, each Member, in light of national conditions and practice and in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, shall promote basic principles such as assessing occupational risks or hazards; combating occupational risks or hazards at source; and developing a national preventative safety and health culture that includes information, consultation and training.

IV. NATIONAL SYSTEM

Article 4

4. (1) Each Member shall establish, maintain, progressively develop and periodically review a national system for occupational safety and health, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers.

4. (2) The national system for occupational safety and health shall include among others:

(a) laws and regulations, collective agreements where appropriate, and any other relevant instruments on occupational safety and health;

(b) an authority or body, or authorities or bodies, responsible for occupational safety and health, designated in accordance with national law and practice;

(c) mechanisms for ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations, including systems of inspection;

4. (3) The national system for occupational safety and health shall include, where appropriate:

(a) a national tripartite advisory body, or bodies, addressing occupational safety and health issues;

(b) information and advisory services on occupational safety and health;

(c) the provision of occupational safety and health training;

(d) occupational health services in accordance with national law and practice;

(e) research on occupational safety and health;

(f) a mechanism for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases, taking into account relevant ILO instruments;

(g) provisions for collaboration with relevant insurance or social security schemes covering occupational injuries and diseases; and

(h) support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of occupational safety and health conditions in micro-enterprises, in small and medium-sized enterprises and in the informal economy.

V. NATIONAL PROGRAMME

Article 5

5. (1) Each Member shall formulate, implement, monitor, evaluate and periodically review a national programme on occupational safety and health in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers.

5. (2) The national programme shall:

(a) promote the development of a national preventative safety and health culture;

(b) contribute to the protection of workers by eliminating or minimizing, so far as is reasonably practicable, work-related hazards and risks, in accordance with national law and practice, in order to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths and promote safety and health in the workplace;

(c) be formulated and reviewed on the basis of analysis of the national situation regarding occupational safety and health, including analysis of the national system for occupational safety and health;

(d) include objectives, targets and indicators of progress; and

(e) be supported, where possible, by other complementary national programmes and plans which will assist in achieving progressively a safe and healthy working environment.

5. (3) The national programme shall be widely publicized and, to the extent possible, endorsed and launched by the highest national authorities.