Occupational Radiation Protection: Protecting Workers against Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

The 1984 International Labour Conference Resolution concerning the improvement of the working conditions and the environment laid down the fundamental objectives and principles on which the Infocus Programme on Safety and Health and the Environment (SafeWork) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is based. The protection of the worker against ionizing radiations falls naturally within the scope of this programme which uses, in a co-ordinated manner, the various means of action available to the ILO to give governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations the necessary help in drawing up and implementing programmes for the improvement of working conditions and the environment. These include international standards in the form of conventions and recommendations, codes of practice, dissemination of information through, for example, the International Safety and Health Information Centre and technical co-operation activities. In June 1960, the International Labour Conference adopted Convention No.115 and recommendation No.114 concerning the protection of workers against ionizing radiations. Convention No.115, which provides that each Member of the ILO ratifying it shall give effect to its provisions by means of laws, regulations, or other appropriate methods, has been ratified by 47 countries. There has been a long standing history of efficient interagency co-operation on radiation protection and the current activities of the ILO are centred on the promotion of the active involvement of employers’ and workers’ organizations in occupational radiation protection and the implementation of the International Basic Safety Standards and Safety Fundamentals at both international and national levels.