120 | II Série A - Número: 103 | 21 de Junho de 2010

(d) the term ―a national preventative safety and health culture” refers to a culture in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where government, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the principle of prevention is accorded the highest priority.

II. OBJECTIVE

Article 2

1. Each Member which ratifies this Convention shall promote continuous improvement of occupational safety and health to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths, by the development, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, of a national policy, national system and national programme.
2. Each Member shall take active steps towards achieving progressively a safe and healthy working environment through a national system and national programmes on occupational safety and health by taking into account the principles set out in instruments of the International Labour Organization (ILO) relevant to the promotional framework for occupational safety and health.
3. Each Member, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, shall periodically consider what measures could be taken to ratify relevant occupational safety and health Conventions of the ILO.

III. NATIONAL POLICY

Article 3

1. Each Member shall promote a safe and healthy working environment by formulating a national policy.
2. Each Member shall promote and advance, at all relevant levels, the right of workers to a safe and healthy working environment.
3. In formulating its national policy, each Member, in light of national conditions and practice and in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, shall promote basic principles such as assessing occupational risks or hazards; combating occupational risks or hazards at source; and developing a national preventative safety and health culture that includes information, consultation and training.

IV. NATIONAL SYSTEM

Article 4

1. Each Member shall establish, maintain, progressively develop and periodically review a national system for occupational safety and health, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers.
2. The national system for occupational safety and health shall include among others: (a) laws and regulations, collective agreements where appropriate, and any other relevant instruments on occupational safety and health; (b) an authority or body, or authorities or bodies, responsible for occupational safety and health, designated in accordance with national law and practice; (c) mechanisms for ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations, including systems of inspection; and (d) arrangements to promote, at the level of the undertaking, cooperation between management, workers and their representatives as an essential element of workplace-related prevention measures.