APPENDIX 1: ARTICLE 5 OF THE CONVENTION CONCERNING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES, CONVENTION 161 OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE, JUNE 1985

Without prejudice to the responsibility of each employer for the health and safety of the workers in his employment, and with due regard to the necessity for the workers to participate in matters of occupational health and safety, occupational health services shall have such of the following functions as are adequate and appropriate to the occupational risks of the undertaking:

• Identification and assessment of the risks from health hazards in the workplace;
• Surveillance of the factors in the working environment and working practices which may affect workers’ health, including sanitary installations, canteens and housing where these facilities are provided by the employer;
• Advice on planning and organisation of work, including the design of workplaces, on the choice, maintenance and condition of machinery and other equipment and on substances used in work;
• Participation in the development of programmes for the improvement of working practices as well as testing and evaluation of health aspects of new equipment;
• Advice on occupational health, safety and hygiene and on ergonomics and individual and collective protective equipment;
• Surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work;
• Promoting the adaptation of work to the worker;
• Contribution to measures of vocational rehabilitation;
• Collaboration in providing information, training and education in the fields of occupational health and hygiene and ergonomics;
• Organising of first aid and emergency treatment;
• Participation in analysis of occupational accidents and occupational diseases.