The International Labour Organization: Convention C155 and Recommendation R164

The International Labour Organization (ILO), an agency of the United Nations, is a leading force in international health and safety. It produces two main kinds of instrument. A Convention is a legally binding international treaty that member states may ratify. A Recommendation is a non-binding guideline. Often a Convention sets out the basic principles that ratifying countries must apply, while a related Recommendation adds detail on how to apply them.

ILO standards give governments, employers and workers the tools to build safe working practices. Some of the main instruments are:

• C155: Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
• R164: Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981
• C167: Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988
• R175: Safety and Health in Construction Recommendation, 1988
• C187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006
• R197: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006

C155, adopted in 1981, sets out a basic health and safety policy for the national level and for the individual undertaking. It is one of the ILO's fundamental Conventions. R164 supplements it with more detailed guidance. In particular it describes the obligations that may be placed on employers and workers so that the basic goal of a safe and healthy workplace is reached.

Employers under C155, Article 16. Employers must:

• ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under their control are safe and without risk to health
• ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that chemical, physical and biological substances and agents under their control are without risk to health when suitable protective measures are taken
• provide protective clothing and equipment where necessary, to prevent so far as is reasonably practicable the risk of accidents or harm to health

What R164 adds for employers. The detailed obligations behind Article 16 appear in R164 and may include:

• providing and maintaining workplaces, machinery and equipment, and using work methods, that are as safe and risk-free as is reasonably practicable
• giving the instruction and training needed, taking account of the roles and abilities of different groups of workers
• supervising work, work practices and the application and use of OHS measures
• setting up organisational arrangements for OHS and the working environment that suit the size of the undertaking and the nature of its activities
• supplying suitable personal protective clothing and equipment at no cost to the worker, where hazards cannot be prevented or controlled in other ways
• making sure that work organisation, especially hours of work and rest breaks, does not harm safety and health
• taking all reasonably practicable steps to remove excessive physical and mental fatigue
• carrying out studies and research, or otherwise keeping up with the scientific and technical knowledge needed to meet these duties

Workers under R164, paragraph 16. The recommendation develops the arrangements in C155 Article 19 and says they should aim to ensure that workers:

• take reasonable care for their own safety and for the safety of others who may be affected by what they do or fail to do at work
• follow instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others, and follow safety and health procedures
• use safety devices and protective equipment correctly, and never make them inoperative
• report at once to their immediate supervisor any situation they believe could be a hazard and cannot correct themselves
• report any accident or injury to health that arises in the course of work or in connection with it

When a worker fails in these duties, the employer may take disciplinary action. The worker may also cause an accident that damages their own health, with pain, temporary or permanent disability, possible phobia, continuing effects on work, lost wages and stress for the family.

Information, training and consultation under C155 Article 19 and R164. The instruments support arrangements for workers and their representatives to:

• receive enough information on safety and health matters
• be consulted when major new safety and health measures are introduced
• be consulted on OHS matters in general
• receive the OHS training they need to do the job
• turn to specialists for advice on particular safety and health problems

Where to find information on national standards

The ILO Global Database on Occupational Safety and Health Legislation (LEGOSH) is a starting point for finding national frameworks. Database entries may lag changes, so confirm current requirements in the relevant legislation and regulator guidance before relying on them.

For information on national rules you can also go to the relevant regulator or agency, for example:

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain: hse.gov.uk; Northern Ireland has a separate regulator, HSENI
• European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA): osha.europa.eu
• International Labour Organization: ilo.org

Summary notes for Element 1 · Cheat sheet · Glossary. A study aid, not published or endorsed by NEBOSH.