Introduction

• Pages: 1-3

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Introduction

Introduction

In accordance with the decision taken by the Govern-

ing Body of the ILO at its 279th Session in November 2000,

a Meeting of Experts on Safety and Health in the Non-

ferrous Metals Industries was convened in Geneva from

28 August to 4 September 2001 to draw up and adopt a

code of practice on safety and health in the production of

non-ferrous metals. The Meeting was composed of eight ex-

perts appointed following consultations with governments,

eight appointed following consultations with the Em-

ployers’ group and eight appointed following consultations

with the Workers’ group of the Governing Body.

The code focuses on foundries and the production of

primary non-ferrous metals, including from recycled ma-

terial. It does not deal with mining, which is covered by

Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176),

nor does it deal with the fabrication of commercial products

made from non-ferrous metals.

This code of practice is based on principles established

in international instruments relevant to the protection of

workers’ safety and health. Chapters 1 to 3 deal with general

provisions, principles and practices, and the duties of the

competent authority, employers and workers and their rep-

resentatives. Chapter 4 addresses general principles of pre-

vention and protection. It covers a range of topics, including

safety and health policy in the enterprise, risk assessment

and risk management, investigating and reporting pro-

cedures, training, health and workplace surveillance, emer-

gency preparedness and personal protection. Chapter 5 on

specific measures of prevention and protection identifies

and examines a range of physical hazards common in the