Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group (SRM TWG)

Third meeting of the SRM TWG (September 2017)

The third meeting of the SRM TWG took place at the ILO in Geneva from 25 to 29 September 2017. During this meeting, the SRM TWG undertook a review of 19 instruments concerning occupational safety and health (general provisions and specific risks). Its consensually adopted recommendations were approved by the Governing Body at its 331st Session in October-November 2017.

Preparatory Documents

A series of preparatory documents has been created to facilitate the work of the SRM TWG. The first group of documents are those that are intended to facilitate the SRM TWG’s review of the nineteen instruments concerning occupational safety and health (general provisions and specific risks). The second group are supporting documents.

Organization and Planning

Presentations

Outcome

The SRM TWG reached consensual decisions in relation to the 19 instruments concerning OSH that it had been called upon to review. Notably, it adopted a three-classification system of “up to date”, “requiring further action to ensure continued and future relevance” and “outdated” instruments for the purposes of its work in reviewing standards.

The SRM TWG recommended that eight instruments were classified as up to date, ten instruments were classified as requiring further action to ensure their continued and future relevance, and one instrument was classified as out of date and subsequently placed on the agenda of the Conference for consideration of withdrawal. The SRM TWG also recommended follow-up involving standard-setting action for gaps in coverage identified in relation to ergonomics and biological hazards in addition to anthrax, as well as standard-setting action recommended in relation to the consolidation of the chemicals instruments and machine safety. Additional non-normative follow-up was proposed, including promotional campaigns and technical assistance on issues including asbestos and prevention of major industrial accidents, and the publication of technical guidelines. The SRM TWG also considered the sustainability of its work, requesting Office proposals on options papers on institutional arrangements (standards policy on OSH and prioritization of SRM TWG proposals). The SRM TWG’s decisions were approved by the Governing Body at its 331st Session.