Preface

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Preface

The present code is published in response to a resolution concerning the working

environment adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 59th Session in June

1974. With the code of practice on the protection of workers against noise and vibration

in the working environment, it complements the Working Environment (Air Pollution,

Noise and Vibration) Convention (No. 148) and Recommendation (No. 156) adopted by

the Conference at its 63rd Session in June 1977.

The code was approved by a Meeting of Experts on Limits of Exposure to Harmful

Airborne Substances, organised in Geneva from 21 to 28 November 1977 by the

International Labour Office with the participation of the World Health Organization.1

Subsequently the Governing Body of the International Labour Office decided, at its

205th (February-March 1978) Session, to obtain more detailed comments on the code,

and a small technical advisory group2 was convened in January 1980 to draw up the

final text of the code in the light of the comments received.

The Governing Body approved the publication of the code at its 2 12th (March

1980) Session.

The wording of the code is sufficiently flexible to permit its adaptation in the light

of technological progress. The principles that it lays down are objectives which may be

attained in successive stages in different countries and enterprises according to local cir-

cumstances and possibilities.

The code is not intended to be a substitute for existing national legislation,

regulations or safety standards, but rather to provide guidance for governments,

employers and workers. It is not compulsory in character, but has been drawn up in

order to stimulate and guide those whose duty it is to promote, at the national level, the

control of harmful airborne substances. It should be emphasised that enhanced payments

to workers are no substitute for the introduction of the provisions set out in this code.

1 See Appendix B for a full list of those attending the Meeting of Experts.

2 The technical advisory group set up by the Governing Body was composed of Dr. A. Rothan,

Chairman of the Meeting of Experts, Mr. S. J. Silk, Chairman and Reporter of the working party set up by

the Meeting of Experts (see Appendix B), Mr. P. E. Arscott and Mr. J. P. Hamilton.