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Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

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Cameroon - 2014

Themes

1 Description of national OSH regulatory framework
- 1.1 Description of OSH regulatory framework
  Summary/citation: Most of the legislation originated from the English common law and the French civil law during the British and French colonial period. Cameroon can be described as a dual legal system which has inherited from British and French laws.
  
  Safety and health at work is essentially governed by Title VI of the Labour Code entitled “Safety and Health at Work".
  
  The main OSH regulation besides Title VI of the Labour Code is the "arrêté n°039 /MTPS /IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail" which contains: the regulations of the respective obligations of employers and workers, the composition of the hygiene and safety committees, the setting of general conditions of hygiene relating to, among other things, construction, ventilation, temperature and lighting, the determination of safety measures and transportation, the definition of hazardous substances and rules of prevention and fire fighting, the establishment of the means of control and sanctions. Technical appendices are joined to the order.
  
  Under the Labour Code, decisions and decrees are taken concerning health and safety at work:
  
  - Décret n° 93/210/PM du 3 mars 1993 fixant l'organisation et le fonctionnement de la Commission nationale de santé et de sécurité au travail;
  - Arrêté n° 038/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 complétant la liste des maladies professionnelles indemnisables, les délais pendant lesquels l'assureur ou l'employeur demeurent responsables et les conditions de déclarations des procédés de travail susceptibles de les provoquer, fixée par l'arrêté n° 005/TLS/SS du 9 mars 1962;
  - Loi n° 77-11 du 27 juillet 1977 portant réparation et prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles;
  - Arrêté du 15 octobre 1979 portant organisation et fonctionnement des services médicaux du travail;
  - Décret n° 79-96 du 21 mars 1979 fixant les modalités d'exercice de la médecine du travail.
  
  The Directorate of Health and Safety at Work and the National Commission on Industrial Health and Safety are the competent authorities in the field of occupational safety and health.
  • Site internet de la Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale
  • Site internet du Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale
  • Occupational safety and health country profile of Cameroon
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 6)
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail.
  • Loi no 80-05 du 14 juillet 1980 modifiant la loi no 77.11 du 13 juillet 1977 [SL 1977-Cam. 1] portant réparation et prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles.
2 Scope, coverage and exclusions
- 2.1 Health and safety covers physical and psychological health
  Summary/citation: The employer is directly responsible for the implementation of all prevention, health and safety measures to ensure the protection of his workers' health.
  Remarks / comments: The workers' physical and psychological health could be implied from the duties imputed to the employer in the order laying down general hygiene and safety at the workplace.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier Chap.1, art. 2(1))
- 2.2 Definition of worker
  Summary/citation: In this law, "worker" shall mean any person, irrespective of sex or nationality, who has undertaken to place his services in return for remuneration, under the direction and control of another person, whether an individual or a public or private corporation, considered as the "employer". For the purpose of determining whether a person is a worker, non account shall be taken of the legal position of employer or employee.
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 1, Art.1(2))
  - 2.2.1 Coverage of particular categories of workers
    Yes.
    - 2.2.1.1 Migrant workers
      Summary/citation: In this law, "worker" shall mean any person, irrespective of sex or nationality, who has undertaken to place his services in return for remuneration, under the direction and control of another person, whether an individual or a public or private corporation, considered as the "employer". For the purpose of determining whether a person is a worker, non account shall be taken of the legal position of employer or employee.
      Remarks / comments: Migrant workers are not excluded from the definition of worker, which says “irrespective of sex or nationality”.
      • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 1, Art.1(2))
    - 2.2.1.2 Domestic workers
      Summary/citation: In this law, "worker" shall mean any person, irrespective of sex or nationality, who has undertaken to place his services in return for remuneration, under the direction and control of another person, whether an individual or a public or private corporation, considered as the "employer". For the purpose of determining whether a person is a worker, non account shall be taken of the legal position of employer or employee.
      Remarks / comments: Domestic workers are not excluded from the definition of worker.
      • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 1, Art.1(2))
    - 2.2.1.3 Home workers
      Summary/citation: In this law, "worker" shall mean any person, irrespective of sex or nationality, who has undertaken to place his services in return for remuneration, under the direction and control of another person, whether an individual or a public or private corporation, considered as the "employer". For the purpose of determining whether a person is a worker, non account shall be taken of the legal position of employer or employee.
      Remarks / comments: Home workers are not excluded from the definition of worker.
      • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 1, Art.1(2))
    - 2.2.1.4 Self-employed persons
      Remarks / comments: Taking into account that the legal subordination in the definition of worker in the Labour Code is fundamental, the self-employed persons are excluded.
- 2.3 Definition of employer
  Summary/citation: In this law, "worker" shall mean any person, irrespective of sex or nationality, who has undertaken to place his services in return for remuneration, under the direction and control of another person, whether an individual or a public or private corporation, considered as the "employer". For the purpose of determining whether a person is a worker, non account shall be taken of the legal position of employer or employee.
  Remarks / comments: The employer is not specifically defined in the legislation. However, from the definition of worker in Article 2 of the Labour Code, it can be deduced that the employer can be defined as any natural or legal person, public or private entity, who engages the services of workers in return for remuneration, to be carried out under its direction and control.
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 1, Art.1(2))
  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94) Observation 2021
  • Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94) Direct Request 2006
- 2.4 Exclusion of branches of economic activity
  Sometimes.
  - 2.4.1 Agriculture
    Summary/citation: The Labour Code governs labour relations between wage-earners and employers as well as between employers and apprentices under their supervision.
    The Order No. 39/MTPS/IMT of 26 November 1984 establishes the general basic rules on OSH in view of protecting the workers' health as efficiently as possible.
    Remarks / comments: Neither the Labour Code nor the Order No. 39/MTPS/IMT excludes agriculture from their scope of application.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail.
  - 2.4.2 Construction
    Summary/citation: The Labour Code governs labour relations between wage-earners and employers as well as between employers and apprentices under their supervision.
    The Order No. 39/MTPS/IMT of 26 November 1984 establishes the general basic rules on OSH in view of protecting the workers' health as efficiently as possible.
    Remarks / comments: Neither the Labour Code nor the Order No. 39/MTPS/IMT excludes construction from their scope of application.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail.
  - 2.4.3 Services
    Summary/citation: The Labour Code governs labour relations between wage-earners and employers as well as between employers and apprentices under their supervision.
    The Order No. 39/MTPS/IMT of 26 November 1984 establishes the general basic rules on OSH in view of protecting the workers' health as efficiently as possible.
    Remarks / comments: Neither the Labour Code nor the Order No. 39/MTPS/IMT excludes services from their scope of application.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail.
  - 2.4.4 Public sector
    Summary/citation: This law shall not apply to staff governed by :
    
    - the General Rules and Regulations of the Public Service;
    - the Rules and Regulations governing the Judicial and Legal Service;
    - the General Rules and Regulations governing Servicemen;
    - the Special Rules and Regulations of the National Security;
    - the Special Rules and Regulations of Prison Administration Civil Servants;
    - the special provisions applicable to auxiliary staff.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 1, Art.1 (3) )
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94) Observation 2021
    • Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94) Direct Request 2006
  - 2.4.5 Other
    No data available.
- 2.5 Definition of occupational accident
  Summary/citation: An occupational accident is defined as an accident suffered whatever the cause is by any worker as defined in Article 1 paragraph 2 of the Labour Code.
  a) the accident which has arisen out of work or during work;
  b) the accident that occurred during the round trip between:
  - The worker's main residence or second home and the workplace;
  - The workplace and the place where the worker usually takes meals.
  c) during travels when expenses shall be borne by the employer according to the Labour Code.
  • Loi no 80-05 du 14 juillet 1980 modifiant la loi no 77.11 du 13 juillet 1977 [SL 1977-Cam. 1] portant réparation et prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles.
  • Loi n° 77-11 du 27 juillet 1977 portant réparation et prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles (Articles 1er et 7 modifiés par la loi n° 80-05 du 14 juillet 1980) ((art. 2))
- 2.6 Definition of occupational disease
  Summary/citation: 1. An occupational disease is considered as a disease resulting from the exercise of certain professional activities.
  2. The causal link between the disease and the occupation is noticed by the presumptions contained in the schedules of occupational diseases established by decree after consultation with the National Commission of Health and Safety at Work.
  • Arrêté n° 051/MINTSS/S6/DSST du 06 octobre 2009 fixant la liste des tableaux des maladies professionnelles indemnisables au Cameroun
  • Loi no 80-05 du 14 juillet 1980 modifiant la loi no 77.11 du 13 juillet 1977 [SL 1977-Cam. 1] portant réparation et prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles.
  • Loi n° 77-11 du 27 juillet 1977 portant réparation et prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles (Articles 1er et 7 modifiés par la loi n° 80-05 du 14 juillet 1980) (art. 3)
  - 2.6.1 List of occupational diseases
    Summary/citation: This order contains the official list and schedules of all the compensable occupational diseases in Cameroon.
    • Arrêté n° 051/MINTSS/S6/DSST du 06 octobre 2009 fixant la liste des tableaux des maladies professionnelles indemnisables au Cameroun
  - 2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones
    No data available.
3 Institutions and programmes relating to OSH administration and/or enforcement
- 3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work
  Summary/citation: The Directorate of Health and Safety at Work and the National Commission on Industrial Health and Safety are the competent authorities in the field of occupational safety and health.
  • Décret N° 2005/085 portant organisation du Ministère duTravail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Chapitre V, art. 36)
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 8, Chapitre 2, art. 120)
  - 3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions
    Summary/citation: Under the authority of a Director, the Directorate of Health and Safety at Work is responsible for:
    - Preparing and implementing standards for occupational health and hazards;
    - Monitoring and implementing technical standards on OSH;
    - Undertaking studies and research on OSH;
    - Promoting humanization and welfare at work;
    - Providing medical expertise regarding occupational accidents and diseases;
    - Issuing the certification for exercising occupational medicine;
    - Promoting measures on occupational health;
    - Updating the schedule of occupational diseases;
    - Ensuring workers' medical surveillance;
    - Establishing a documentary resources center;
    - Conducting studies and research of information on accidents' prevention and ergonomics;
    - Promoting hygiene and occupational safety measures;
    - Issuing the certification for private centers for occupational hazards prevention;
    - Monitoring the functioning of the National Commission of Health and Safety;
    - Issuing certification for occupational safety devices;
    - Managing information concerning the conditions of occupational safety.
    (Décret N° 2005/085 portant organisation du Ministère duTravail et de la Sécurité Sociale, Chapitre V, art. 36 à 42)
    
    A National Commission on Industrial Health and Safety shall be set up under the ministry in charge of labour.
    It shall be charged with the study of problems related to industrial medicine and the hygiene and safety of workers. In this capacity, it shall be responsible for;
    (a) making suggestions and recommendations concerning laws and regulations to be made in the above fields;
    (b) making recommendations for the benefit of employers and workers, insurance bodies and various ministries concerning the protection of the health of workers;
    (c) making proposals concerning the approval of dangerous machinery and manufacturing processes likely to endanger the health of workers;
    (d) carrying out or participating in any work of a scientific nature falling within its sphere of activity.
    (Loi n°92-007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail, Titre 8, Chapitre 2, art. 120 (2))
    • Décret N° 2005/085 portant organisation du Ministère duTravail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Chapitre V, art. 36-42)
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 8, Chapitre 2, art.120 (2))
  - 3.1.2 Chairperson and composition
    Summary/citation: The Directorate of Health and Safety at Work includes:
    - The Sub-Directorate of Occupational Health;
    - The Sub-Directorate of Safety at Work;
    - The Sub-Directorate of Humanization and Welfare at Work.
    (Décret n° 2005/085 du 29 mars 2005 portant organisation du Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale, Chapitre V, art. 36 à 42)
    
    The National Commission on Industrial Health and Safety shall be presided by the minister in charge of labour or his representative. It shall comprise technicians or experts of unquestionable competence in the fields of industrial medicine and industrial hygiene and safety. Representatives of workers and employers shall be represented in equal number within the National Commission.
    (Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 8, Chapitre 2, art.121 (1))
    • Décret N° 2005/085 portant organisation du Ministère duTravail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Arts. 36-42)
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 8, Chapitre 2, art.121 (1))
- 3.2 National OSH research programme or institute
  No.
  - 3.2.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions
    No.
  - 3.2.2 Governance board constitution and chairmanship
    No.
  - 3.2.3 Source of funding
    No.
- 3.3 National OSH programme
  No.
  - 3.3.1 Consultation on the national OSH programme
    No.
4 Employers’ duties and responsibilities to protect the safety and health of workers and others
- 4.1 Duty to ensure the health and safety of employees
  Summary/citation: The employer is directly responsible for the implementation of all prevention, health and safety measures to ensure the protection of his workers' health.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap 1, art. 2 (1))
- 4.2 Duty to protect the health and safety of people other than their own employees
  No data available.
- 4.3 Collaboration among two or more employers at the same workplace
  Summary/citation: When several employers use simultaneously workers at the same workplace, they must cooperate to ensure to all workers a protection as efficient as possible. However, every employer remains liable for damages caused by his activities.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 1, art.2 (2))
- 4.4 Surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work
  Summary / Citation: No worker shall be allowed to work without having undergone a medical examination upon recruitment and a periodical one.
  
  Every worker shall be subject to periodical examinations in accordance with the regulations in force.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. IV, art.11)
  - 4.4.1 Specific hazards for which surveillance is required
    Summary / Citation: The employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances listed in article 96 of the order must undergo medical examinations upon recruitment and the monitoring ones.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap V, art. 98 (1))
- 4.5 Surveillance of the working environment and working practices
  No data available.
- 4.6 Duty to provide personal protective equipment
  Summary / Citation: The employer has a duty to ensure to his workers, considering their activities, the supply, maintenance and renewal of the collective and personal protective means recognized as effective.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 1, art.4)
- 4.7 Duty to ensure the usage of personal protective equipment
  Summary / Citation: Every worker shall strictly comply with the legal and regulatory provisions relating to hygiene and safety at the workplace as well as with the employer's instructions and with the rules of procedure's prescriptions, especially with the use and maintenance of the personal protective equipment which has been provided.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap.2, art. 7 (1-c))
- 4.8 Duty to provide first-aid and welfare facilities
  Yes.
  - 4.8.1 Arrangements for first-aid
    Summary / Citation: The undertakings under this chapter must have:
    a) emergency workers likely to provide first-aid in case of accidents;
    b) appropriate equipment for first-aid and transport of the injured.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap. VI, art. 117)
  - 4.8.2 Sanitary installations
    Summary / Citation: The employer must provide workers with the means to ensure their personal hygiene. To this end, a number of sanitary installations must be created and maintained. This includes:
    - sinks and showers
    - changing rooms
    - seats and rooms to rest
    - lavatories
    
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 3, Section III à VI)
  - 4.8.3 Drinking water
    Summary / Citation: The employer must provide workers with sufficient quantity of drinking water.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 3, Section I)
  - 4.8.4 Rest and eating areas
    Summary / Citation: When workers are usually required to take their meals at their workplace, notably because of the special conditions resulting from their working schedules or from the estrangement of their residence, the employer must provide them with specific dining rooms completely separated from the work premises.
    The dinning rooms shall be kept clean by the employer and their organization must meet satisfactory standards of comfort and hygiene.
    They shall be also equipped with appropriate furniture and facilities to store and heat food. (art. 48)
    
    When meals are provided by the employer, the terms of this provision shall be set by an agreement between the employer and workers under the rules of procedure and the regulations in force. (art.49)
    
    It is forbidden to let workers take their meals in the premises assigned to work.
    However, a derogation may be granted by the Medical Inspector of Labour or by the Inspector of Labour and Social Welfare under the following conditions:
    a) the operations carried out by the establishment must not involve the use of toxic substances and must not lead to any release of obnoxious, unhealthy or toxic gases;
    b) the hygiene conditions must be satisfactory. (art. 50).
    
    When schedules or the nature of the work requires it, rest areas shall be provided to workers.
    The rest rooms shall be separate from workplaces and furnished so as to provide staff with adequate comfort conditions. (art.55)
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 3, Sections II, V)
5 Employers’ duty to organize prevention formally along generally accepted OSH management principles and practices
- 5.1 Elements of an OSH management system
  - 5.1.1 Policy or plan specifying responsibilities and arrangements for health and safety
    No data available.
  - 5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety
    No data available.
  - 5.1.3 Written risk assessment
    No data available.
  - 5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures
    No data available.
  - 5.1.5 Training and information on risks
    Summary/citation: When hiring workers or when introducing new working methods, the employer must provide workers with all the information concerning occupational risks and the measures to be taken to avoid them, including the use of protective systems. Besides, permanent information shall be provided to workers in possible collaboration with the relevant departments of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the National Social Security Fund, the most representative employers' and workers' trade unions, and any other organization concerned with hygiene and safety issues.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 1, art. 5)
  - 5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures
    No data available.
  - 5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety
    Summary/citation: The employer must create an hygiene and safety committee in establishments employing at least fifty workers if the activity is classified in groups of risks A and B and whatever the number of workers is if the activity is classified in group C.
    Remarks / comments: This committee is a joint consultation body (employer and workers) on the organization and implementation of OSH activities.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art. 8)
- 5.2 Obligation to implement a specific OSH management system or standard
  No data available.
6 Employers’ duty to ensure availability of expertise and competence in health and safety
- 6.1 OSH competence
  Yes.
  - 6.1.1 Requirement to access expert advice and/or support in health and safety
    Summary / Citation: Every enterprise and establishment of any kind, whether public or private, lay or religious, civilian or military, including those where persons are employed in connection with work in the professions and those belonging to trade unions or professional associations, shall provide medical and health services for their employees. (art. 98 (1))
    
    According to the size and nature of the establishment, its location and the medical infrastructure available, the medical and health service shall be organized:
    (a) Either in the form of a separate service within the establishment concerned, or in the form of a joint service for several establishments;
    (b) Or on the basis of an agreement made with a public or private hospital. (art. 99 (3))
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art. 98, art. 99)
    • Décret no 79-96 du 21 mars 1979 fixant les modalités d'exercice de la médecine du travail.
    - 6.1.1.1 Qualifications of experts or professional services
      Summary / Citation: The Directorate of Health and Safety at Work is responsible for issuing the certification for exercising occupational medicine.
      
      The medical and health service shall be under the responsibility of medical doctors who shall be recruited preferably from among practitioners holding diplomas in industrial medicine and who shall be assisted by qualified paramedical personnel.
      
      The procedure for the setting up, organization and functioning of medical and health services as well as the number and the qualifications of the medical and paramedical personnel to be employed in each establishment, having regard to local conditions and to the number of workers and of workers' dependents, shall be determined by order of the minister in charge of labour issued after consultation with the National Commission for Industrial Hygiene and Safety.
      • Décret N° 2005/085 portant organisation du Ministère duTravail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Chapitre V, art. 36 à 42)
      • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art. 99 (1), (4))
      • Décret no 79-96 du 21 mars 1979 fixant les modalités d'exercice de la médecine du travail.
- 6.2 Appointment of an OSH practitioner
  Summary/citation: If there is a safety officer at the workplace, he/she shall be a member of the hygiene and safety committee.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art. 8 (2))
  - 6.2.1 Workforce size threshold for the appointment of OSH practitioners
    No data available.
7 Workers' rights and duties
- 7.1 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own safety and health
  Summary / Citation: Every worker shall strictly comply with the legal and regulatory provisions relating to hygiene and safety at the workplace as well as with the employer's instructions and the procedural rules.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 2, art.7 (1))
- 7.2 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others
  No data available.
- 7.3 Supervisors’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others
  No data available.
- 7.4 Senior officers’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others
  No data available.
- 7.5 Self-employed persons’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own and other people’s health and safety
  No data available.
- 7.6 Duty to comply with OSH-related requirements
  Summary / Citation: Every worker shall strictly comply with the legal and regulatory provisions relating to hygiene and safety at the workplace as well as with the employer's instructions and the procedural rules.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 1, art. 7 (1))
- 7.7 Right to enquire about risks and preventive measures
  Summary / Citation: When hiring workers or when introducing new working methods, the employer must provide workers with all the information concerning their occupational risks and the measures to be taken to avoid them, including the use of protective systems.
  Besides, information shall be provided permanently to workers in possible collaboration with the relevant departments of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the National Social Security Fund, the most representative employers' and workers' trade unions, and any other organization concerned with hygiene and safety issues.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 1, art. 5)
- 7.8 Right to remove themselves from a dangerous situation
  No data available.
- 7.9 Right to be reassigned to non-hazard work
  No data available.
  - 7.9.1 Right to withdraw with compensation when workers are not reassigned to non-hazard work
    No data available.
8 Consultation, collaboration and co-operation with workers and their representatives
- 8.1 National OSH committee, commission, council or similar body
  Summary / Citation: A National Commission on Industrial Health and Safety shall be set up under the ministry in charge of labour.
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art. 120)
  - 8.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions
    Summary / Citation: It shall be charged with the study of problems related to industrial medicine and the hygiene and safety of workers. In this capacity, it shall be responsible for:
    (a) making suggestions and recommendations concerning laws and regulations to be made in the above fields;
    (b) making recommendations for the benefit of employers and workers, insurance bodies and various ministries concerning the protection of the health of workers;
    (c) making proposals concerning the approval of dangerous machinery and manufacturing processes likely to endanger the health of workers;
    (d) carrying out or participating in any work of a scientific nature falling within its sphere of activity.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art. 120 (2))
  - 8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities
    Summary / Citation: The National Commission on Industrial Health and Safety shall be presided by the minister in charge of labour or his representative. It shall comprise technicians or experts of unquestionable competence in the fields of industrial medicine and industrial hygiene and safety. Representatives of workers and employers shall be represented in equal number within the National Commission.
    
    The National Commission may seek the assistance of experts whenever it deems this necessary.
    
    The organization and functioning of the National Commission shall be determined by regulations.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art. 121)
- 8.2 Employers’ duty to consult workers on risks
  Summary / Citation: The occupational hygiene and safety committee is a joint body which consensually manages the occupational risks.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3)
- 8.3 Workers’ right to select their representatives for health and safety matters
  Summary / Citation: Workers have the right to choose delegates who are staff elected representatives.
  These delegates have the power to present to employers all individual or collective complaints about working conditions, protection of workers, application of collective agreements, job classifications and wages that have not been directly satisfied. They must ensure the implementation of the requirements for the workers' health and safety and social welfare and propose all necessary measures on these matters.
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art.122, art.128)
  - 8.3.1 Workforce size conditions for workers’ representation in health and safety
    Summary / Citation: The election of staff representatives is mandatory in all undertakings established in Cameroon subject to the Labour Code and which usually employ more than twenty workers.
    The employer must create an hygiene and safety committee in establishments employing at least fifty workers if the activity is classified in groups of risks A and B and whatever the number of workers is if the activity is classified in group C.
    
    Remarks / comments: There are staff representatives in the hygiene and safety committees.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art, 122)
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art.8)
  - 8.3.2 Conditions of eligibility to represent workers in health and safety
    Summary / Citation: Eligible workers are those who are at least 20 years old, with good communication skills in French and English and having worked in the undertaking for at least 12 months without interruption, with the exception of the employer, his spouse, his ascendants and his relatives to the same degree.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art.123)
- 8.4 OSH representatives’ functions, rights and powers
  Sometimes.
  - 8.4.1 Right to inspect the workplace
    No data available.
  - 8.4.2 Right to access OSH information
    No data available.
  - 8.4.3 Right to be present at interviews
    No data available.
  - 8.4.4 Right to receive professional assistance from OSH experts
    No data available.
  - 8.4.5 Right to accompany inspectors
    Summary / Citation: Staff representatives shall submit to the labour inspector any complaints or claims regarding the legal, regulatory and contractual provisions they are responsible to ensure.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (art.128)
  - 8.4.6 Right to use facilities
    No data available.
  - 8.4.7 Right to have time off work with pay to perform duties
    No data available.
  - 8.4.8 Right to issue remedial notices
    Summary / Citation: The committee shall proceed to inquiries in case of serious occupational accidents and diseases in order to determine the causes and propose specific measures to remedy them.
    Restrictions / obligations: The employer must create an hygiene and safety committee in establishments employing at least fifty workers if the activity is classified in groups of risks A and B and whatever the number of workers is if the activity is classified in group C.
    Remarks / comments: There are staff representatives in the hygiene and safety committees.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art.9 (a))
  - 8.4.9 Right to resolve OSH issues in consultation with employers
    No data available.
  - 8.4.10 Right to direct that dangerous work cease
    No data available.
- 8.5 Right of workers’ representatives from outside the undertaking to address OSH issues at the workplace
  No data available.
  - 8.5.1 Right to enter the workplace
    No data available.
  - 8.5.2 Right to investigate suspected non-compliance with OSH legislation
    No data available.
  - 8.5.3 Right to consult with workers
    No data available.
  - 8.5.4 Right to advise workers
    No data available.
  - 8.5.5 Right to initiate enforcement action
    No data available.
- 8.6 Joint OSH Committee
  Summary / Citation: The employer must create an hygiene and safety committee in establishments employing at least fifty workers if the activity is classified in groups of risks A and B and whatever the number of workers is if the activity is classified in group C.
  The committee is composed of staff representatives, the employer or his representative and the occupational physician. If there is an assistant, a training officer or a safety officer they shall be members of this committee.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art. 8)
  - 8.6.1 Participation of workers’ representatives in joint OSH committee
    Summary / Citation: The committee is composed of staff representatives, the employer or his representative and the occupational physician. If there is an assistant, a training officer or a safety officer they shall be members of this committee.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art. 8)
  - 8.6.2 Conditions for establishing a joint OSH committee
    Summary / Citation: The employer must create an hygiene and safety committee in establishments employing at least fifty workers if the activity is classified in groups of risks A and B and whatever the number of workers is if the activity is classified in group C.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art. 8)
  - 8.6.3 Objectives, roles and/or functions of joint OSH committees
    Summary / Citation: The occupational hygiene and safety committee is responsible for:
    a) proceeding to inquiries in case of serious occupational accidents and diseases in order to determine the causes and propose specific measures to remedy them;
    b) making any suggestions to improve the working conditions;
    c) establishing and implementing a program to improve health and safety requirements in relation to the activities of the company;
    d) disseminating to all employees information on health protection of workers and proper work procedures;
    e) creating, maintaining and developing safety awareness among workers.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre Ier, Chap. 3, art. 9)
  - 8.6.4 Keeping record of the work of joint OSH committees
    No data available.
  - 8.6.5 Sharing the minutes of joint OSH committees meetings
    No data available.
- 8.7 Mandatory training for members of joint OSH committee(s)
  Summary / Citation: The joint committees’ members benefit at the expense of the employer from necessary trainings to perform their duties as seminars, conferences, traineeships.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 3, art.10)
- 8.8 Protection against reprisals
  Summary / Citation: Staff representatives may be dismissed only if their posts have been abolished and with the consent of the labour inspector of the area.
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Titre 3, art. 40 (7))
- 8.9 Immunity from civil and criminal liability for exercising OSH related rights and duties
  No data available.
9 Specific hazards or risks
- 9.1 Biological hazards
  No data available.
- 9.2 Chemical hazards
  Yes.
  - 9.2.1 Handling, storage, labelling and use
    Summary / Citation: Harmful or hazardous chemicals are subject to control and supervision by competent technical services jointly with the Ministry of Environment due to their toxicity or concentration in biological environment and to the danger they present to humans, fauna, flora and the environment in general, when they are produced, imported into the country or discharged (Art.57).
    Implementing regulations shall determine:
    - Obligations of manufacturers and importers of chemical substances to provide marketing services to the Ministry of Environment including information on the composition of substances placed on the market, the volume sold and their potential effects on the human health and on the environment;
    - The list of harmful or dangerous chemicals which are prohibited from production, importation, exportation, transit, storage and traffic at national territory or subject to prior approval by the services responsible for chemicals control and monitoring;
    - The terms and route of transportation, as well as all requirements for packaging and marketing of the above substances;
    - Precaution measures for handling, transportation, storage and use of hazardous substances (Art.58)
    • Loi n° 96/12 du 5 Août 1996 portant loi-cadre relative à la gestion de l'environnement (Arts. 57,58 )
  - 9.2.2 Duty of manufacturers, suppliers and importers of chemicals in relation to the safety and health of users
    No data available.
  - 9.2.3 Pesticides
    No data available.
- 9.3 Ergonomic hazards
  Summary / Citation: There shall be provided suitable seats for the use of workers whose work is carried while sitting continuously or intermittently.
  • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 3, §V, art.54)
- 9.4 Physical hazards
  Sometimes.
  - 9.4.1 Ionising radiation
    Summary / Citation: Radioactive substances are governed by a particular law.
    (Loi n° 95/08 du 30 janvier 1995 portant sur la radioprotection).
    • Arrêté n° 051/MINTSS/S6/DSST du 06 octobre 2009 fixant la liste des tableaux des maladies professionnelles indemnisables au Cameroun (Tableau 102)
    • Loi n° 95/08 du 30 janvier 1995 portant sur la radioprotection.
  - 9.4.2 Vibration and noise
    Summary / Citation: In noisy establishments measures must be taken to protect workers against the effects of noise and vibration.
    • Loi n° 96/12 du 5 Août 1996 portant loi-cadre relative à la gestion de l'environnement (Art. 60 (1))
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 2, § IV, art. 41 (1))
  - 9.4.3 Working at height
    Summary / Citation: Any work or traffic plan at a height of over 2 meters must be fitted with devices to protect the worker against the risk of falling. For this purpose, there shall be installed:
    - Either railings placed at 1 meter with baseboards of 15 cm or more;
    - Either awnings, floors or any other device to prevent the worker's fall.
    The railings must be rigid. They can be made either by wooden sleepers, either rods or tubes or safety harnesses and must be made available to workers.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap. 2, art. 65)
  - 9.4.4 Working in confined spaces
    Summary / Citation: In closed areas assigned to work deprived or insufficiently provided with openable windows directly overlooking the outside, measures shall be taken to introduce fresh air at a rate of 30 cubic meters at least per hour and per person.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 2, art. 29)
  - 9.4.5 Risks arising from poor maintenance of workplace facilities
    Summary / Citation: Workplaces shall be kept in a constant state of cleanliness. (Art. 18)
    
    The floor shall be completely cleaned at least once per day.
    In premises or parts of businesses where the work is not organized uninterruptedly day and night, cleaning is performed before or after working hours, but never during work activities.
    Cleaning will be done either by suction or by washing or using brushes, brooms or wet clothes if the floor cannot be washed. (Art.20)
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 1, arts. 18, 20)
  - 9.4.6 Exposure to extreme temperatures
    Summary / Citation: Closed working spaces shall be ventilated. They shall be equipped with windows or other openings and ensure adequate ventilation to prevent excessive temperature rise.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre II, Chap. 29, art. 2)
  - 9.4.7 Fire risks
    Summary / Citation: Chapter VII of this order contains preventive measures to be observed against fire.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap. VI)
  - 9.4.8 Tobacco
    No data available.
  - 9.4.9 Asbestos
    Remarks / comments: The Government of Cameroon informed in its report to the CEACR in 2013 that following the amendment of the Labour Code, occupational safety and health measures will incorporate asbestos-related hazards and a text issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will establish procedures for implementation, following consultation with the social partners.
    • Arrêté n° 051/MINTSS/S6/DSST du 06 octobre 2009 fixant la liste des tableaux des maladies professionnelles indemnisables au Cameroun (Tableaux 30, 30 bis)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) Observation 2015
    • Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) Direct Request 2002
  - 9.4.10 Risks related to nanotechnology
    No data available.
  - 9.4.11 Contraction of HIV in the workplace
    No data available.
- 9.5 Psychosocial hazards
  No data available.
  - 9.5.1 Psychosocial risks
    No data available.
  - 9.5.2 Occupational violence
    No data available.
- 9.6 Other hazardous substances
  Summary / Citation: It is forbidden to emit in the air any polluting substances such as smokes, dusts or toxic, corrosive or radioactive gases, beyond the limits of this Act's application or by particular texts.
  • Loi n° 96/12 du 5 Août 1996 portant loi-cadre relative à la gestion de l'environnement (Arts. 21, 57)
- 9.7 Machineries
  Sometimes.
  - 9.7.1 Risks related to machinery and tools
    Summary / Citation: Rooms with machinery and engines shall only be accessible to workers assigned to operate and maintain these machines.
    In cases where the machines are not arranged in separate premises, they must be isolated by walls or rigid protective barriers and fixed at a minimum height of one meter.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap. 3, art. 71)
  - 9.7.2 Duty of designers and/or manufacturers of machineries in relation to the occupational safety and health of operators of machineries
    No data available.
  - 9.7.3 Duty of designers, manufacturers, importers or suppliers of machineries to provide machineries information
    No data available.
  - 9.7.4 Duty to purchase machineries from authorised/certificated suppliers or only if approved/certificated
    Summary / Citation: It is forbidden to install not approved protective devices when there are available approved protective devices (art.59).
    
    If international standards are lacking, materials, equipment and facilities made available to workers must fit the standards established by the International Labour Organization or other national or international bodies, scientifically or technically recognized ones and appointed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
    Orders issued by the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare lay down when needed, official recognition of efficiency, after receiving the opinion of the competent Ministerial Departments (art. 60).
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap. 1, arts 59, 60)
  - 9.7.5 Maintenance of machinery and equipment
    Summary / Citation: Materials, machinery, equipment and devices shall be subject to periodical controls in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
    The results of these controls are recorded in special registers opened for this purpose, including the date, the type of control, as well as the name, capacity and signature of the officer responsible for the control.
    
    The employer or his appointed agent must ensure that these controls are regularly performed.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre III, Chap. 1, art. 64)
    - 9.7.5.1 List of equipment where applicable
      No data available.
- 9.8 Provisions to protect workers in specific condition of vulnerability
  Yes.
  - 9.8.1 Protection of pregnancy at work
    Summary / Citation: Any pregnant woman whose pregnancy has been medically certified may terminate her contract of employment without notice and without being obliged on that basis to pay the compensation provided for in Section 36. During such period, the employer shall not terminate the employment contract of the woman concerned because of her pregnancy.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Chap. 3, art. 84)
  - 9.8.2 Protection of lactating women at work
    Summary / Citation: For a period of 15 (fifteen) months following the birth of the child the mother shall be entitled to nursing breaks.
    The total duration of the breaks shall not exceed 1 (one) hour per working day.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Chap. 3, art.85)
  - 9.8.3 Limits to women’s access to specific occupations, undertakings or shifts
    Summary / Citation: An order by the Minister in charge of labour, issued after consultation with the National Commission on Industrial Hygiene and Safety provided for under Section 120, shall specify the types of tasks which women and pregnant women respectively shall not perform.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Chap. 3, art. 83)
    • Arrêté no 16 du 27 mai 1969 relatif au travail des femmes.
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Direct Request 2015
  - 9.8.4 Limits to workers’ access to specific occupations, undertakings or shifts by reason of age
    Summary / Citation: No child shall be employed in an enterprise even as an apprentice before the age of 14 (fourteen) years, except as otherwise authorized by order of the minister in charge of labour, taking account of local conditions and the jobs which the children may be asked to do.
    
    An order of the minister in charge of labour shall determine the conditions for the hiring, employment and supervision of the employment of young persons on board ship, provided:
    
    (a) that a young person under 18 (eighteen) years of age may in no case be employed on board ship as a trimmer or stocker, and
    (b) that when children and young persons under 18 (eighteen) years of age are to be embarked on ships other than those on which only members of the same family are employed, they shall be medically examined to ascertain their fitness for work on board ship and a medical certificate shall be made out attesting fitness for such work and signed by an approved medical practitioner.
    
    An order of the minister in charge of labour shall specify the types of work and categories of enterprises in which young people shall not be employed, and the age-limit to which the prohibition shall apply.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Chap. 3, art. 86)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Observation 2021
    • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2006
10 Recording, notification and investigation of accidents/incidents and diseases
- 10.1 Duty to record and/or investigate the causes of work accidents, near misses incidents and cases of occupational diseases
  No data available.
  - 10.1.1 Work-related accidents
    No data available.
  - 10.1.2 Near miss incidents
    No data available.
  - 10.1.3 Occupational diseases
    No data available.
- 10.2 Employers’ duty to notify OSH authorities of work related death and/or injuries to health
  No data available.
  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
11 OSH inspection and enforcement of OSH legislation
- 11.1 Appointment of OSH inspectors
  Summary / Citation: Hygiene and safety conditions at the workplace shall be determined by orders of the Minister in charge of labour, issued after consultation with the National Commission on Industrial Hygiene and Safety.
  
  The said orders, while taking local conditions and contingencies into account, shall aim at securing for the workers standards of hygiene and safety conforming with those recommended by the International Labour Organization and other Internationally recognized technical bodies.
  
  They shall specify the cases and circumstances in which labour inspectors or the occupational health doctors shall have recourse to the procedure of serving formal notice on the employer. However, where there is an impending threat to the health and safety of workers, the labour inspector or the occupational health doctor shall order immediately enforceable measures to be taken.
  • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Part VI, art. 95)
- 11.2 OSH inspectors’ powers
  Yes.
  - 11.2.1 Power to enter workplaces
    Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors with the proper credentials shall be empowered:
    - to enter any establishment liable to inspection, freely and without warning at any time of the day or night, for the purpose of inspection;
    - to enter for the purpose of inspection any infirmary of an establishment or any canteen, sanitary installation or any facility supplying workers with water.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Part VII, art. 108)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
  - 11.2.2 Power to inspect and carry out any examination, test or enquiry
    Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors with the proper credentials shall be empowered:
    - to carry out any examination, control or inquiry which they consider necessary to ascertain that the laws regulations in force are strictly complied with and, in particular:
    - to interrogate, alone or in the presence of witnesses, the employer or the staff of the enterprise on any matters concerning the application of the laws and regulations in force;
    - to ask for any books, registers and documents the keeping of which is prescribed by laws or regulations relating to conditions of employment, in order to ensure that they conform with the laws and regulations in force and to copy such documents or make extracts from them;
    - to enforce the posting of notices where this is required by the laws and regulations in force;
    - to take and carry away for purposes of analysis samples of materials and substances used or handled, subject to the employer or his representative being notified of any samples taken and carried away for such purpose.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Part VII, art. 108)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
  - 11.2.3 Power to investigate
    Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors with the proper credentials shall be empowered:
    - to carry out any examination, control or inquiry which they consider necessary to ascertain that the laws regulations in force are strictly complied with and, in particular:
    - to interrogate, alone or in the presence of witnesses, the employer or the staff of the enterprise on any matters concerning the application of the laws and regulations in force;
    - to ask for any books, registers and documents the keeping of which is prescribed by laws or regulations relating to conditions of employment, in order to ensure that they conform with the laws and regulations in force and to copy such documents or make extracts from them;
    - to enforce the posting of notices where this is required by the laws and regulations in force;
    - to take and carry away for purposes of analysis samples of materials and substances used or handled, subject to the employer or his representative being notified of any samples taken and carried away for such purpose.
    • Loi n° 92/007 du 14 août 1992 portant Code du Travail. (Part VII, art. 108)
  - 11.2.4 Duty to provide advice on OSH
    No data available.
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
- 11.3 OSH inspectors’ enforcement powers
  Sometimes.
  - 11.3.1 Power to issue orders or notices
    Summary / Citation: Any breach of the provisions of the order laying down the general measures on hygiene and safety in the workplace shall be noticed by minutes by the labour inspectors and occupational health physicians.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre IV, art. 130 )
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
  - 11.3.2 Power to impose financial penalties
    No data available.
  - 11.3.3 Power to revoke or suspend licenses or authorisations
    No data available.
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
  - 11.3.4 Power to require the cessation of dangerous work
    No data available.
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2012
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2015
  - 11.3.5 Power to initiate prosecutions
    No data available.
  - 11.3.6 Power to conduct prosecutions
    No data available.
  - 11.3.7 Other enforcement powers
    No data available.
- 11.4 Application of sanctions by courts
  Yes.
  - 11.4.1 Financial penalties for legal persons
    Summary / Citation: Any person infringing the provisions of the order laying down the general measures on hygiene and safety in the workplace shall incur in the penalties provided for in article R.370 (12) of the Penal Code.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre IV, art. 131)
    • Code pénal (tel qu'amendé) (art. R.370 (12e) )
  - 11.4.2 Financial penalties for natural persons
    Summary / Citation: Any person infringing the provisions of the order laying down the general measures on hygiene and safety in the workplace shall incur in the penalties provided for in article R.370 (12) of the Penal Code.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre IV, art. 131)
    • Code pénal (tel qu'amendé) (art. R.370 (12e) )
  - 11.4.3 Non-financial sanctions
    No data available.
  - 11.4.4 Criminal liability
    Summary / Citation: Any person infringing the provisions of the order laying down the general measures on hygiene and safety in the workplace shall incur in the penalties provided for in article R.370 (12) of the Penal Code.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre IV, art. 131)
    • Code pénal (tel qu'amendé) (art. R.370 (12e) )
  - 11.4.5 Terms of imprisonment for natural persons
    Summary / Citation: Any person infringing the provisions of the order laying down the general measures on hygiene and safety in the workplace shall incur in the penalties provided for in article R.370 (12) of the Penal Code.
    • Arrêté n° 39/MTPS/IMT du 26 novembre 1984 fixant les mesures générales d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail. (Titre IV, art. 131)
    • Code pénal (tel qu'amendé) (art. R.370 (12e) )

Cameroon - 2014

Themes

1 Description of national OSH regulatory framework

1.1 Description of OSH regulatory framework

2 Scope, coverage and exclusions

2.1 Health and safety covers physical and psychological health

2.2 Definition of worker

2.2.1 Coverage of particular categories of workers

2.2.1.1 Migrant workers

2.2.1.2 Domestic workers

2.2.1.3 Home workers

2.2.1.4 Self-employed persons

2.3 Definition of employer

2.4 Exclusion of branches of economic activity

2.4.1 Agriculture

2.4.2 Construction

2.4.3 Services

2.4.4 Public sector

2.4.5 Other

2.5 Definition of occupational accident

2.6 Definition of occupational disease

2.6.1 List of occupational diseases

2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones

3 Institutions and programmes relating to OSH administration and/or enforcement

3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work

3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

3.1.2 Chairperson and composition

3.2 National OSH research programme or institute

3.2.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

3.2.2 Governance board constitution and chairmanship

3.2.3 Source of funding

3.3 National OSH programme

3.3.1 Consultation on the national OSH programme

4 Employers’ duties and responsibilities to protect the safety and health of workers and others

4.1 Duty to ensure the health and safety of employees

4.2 Duty to protect the health and safety of people other than their own employees

4.3 Collaboration among two or more employers at the same workplace

4.4 Surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work

4.4.1 Specific hazards for which surveillance is required

4.5 Surveillance of the working environment and working practices

4.6 Duty to provide personal protective equipment

4.7 Duty to ensure the usage of personal protective equipment

4.8 Duty to provide first-aid and welfare facilities

4.8.1 Arrangements for first-aid

4.8.2 Sanitary installations

4.8.3 Drinking water

4.8.4 Rest and eating areas

5 Employers’ duty to organize prevention formally along generally accepted OSH management principles and practices

5.1 Elements of an OSH management system

5.1.1 Policy or plan specifying responsibilities and arrangements for health and safety

5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety

5.1.3 Written risk assessment

5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures

5.1.5 Training and information on risks

5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures

5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety

5.2 Obligation to implement a specific OSH management system or standard

6 Employers’ duty to ensure availability of expertise and competence in health and safety

6.1 OSH competence

6.1.1 Requirement to access expert advice and/or support in health and safety

6.1.1.1 Qualifications of experts or professional services

6.2 Appointment of an OSH practitioner

6.2.1 Workforce size threshold for the appointment of OSH practitioners

7 Workers' rights and duties

7.1 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own safety and health

7.2 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others

7.3 Supervisors’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others

7.4 Senior officers’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others

7.5 Self-employed persons’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own and other people’s health and safety

7.6 Duty to comply with OSH-related requirements

7.7 Right to enquire about risks and preventive measures

7.8 Right to remove themselves from a dangerous situation

7.9 Right to be reassigned to non-hazard work

7.9.1 Right to withdraw with compensation when workers are not reassigned to non-hazard work

8 Consultation, collaboration and co-operation with workers and their representatives

8.1 National OSH committee, commission, council or similar body

8.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities

8.2 Employers’ duty to consult workers on risks

8.3 Workers’ right to select their representatives for health and safety matters