Safety and health in the iron and steel industry

The first two chapters deal with the objectives and application of the code. The next two chapters address, within a national framework, the responsibilities, duties and rights of the competent authority, the labour inspectorate, employers, workers and their organizations, suppliers, manufacturers and designers, and contractors, and occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems and services and OSH reporting.

Part II of the code addresses different operations commonly used in the production of iron and steel – from coke ovens to steel furnaces and foundries, to rolling mills, coating lines and recycling. It also covers transport, competence and training, personal protective equipment, emergency preparedness, and special protection and hygiene issues. Each section describes hazards, assesses risk and provides guidance on eliminating or controlling risk.

The annexes include information on hazard identification, risk assessment and control and, drawn from relevant ILO instruments, information on workers’ health surveillance, surveillance of the working environment and on establishing an OSH management system. There is also information on exposure limits and on chemicals used in the iron and steel industry.