A.—sg.

Article 4. Each member which ratifies this Convention undertakes to maintain, or satisfy itself that there is maintained, a system of inspection adequate to ensure the effective enforcement of its laws and regulations relating to safety precautions in the building industry. Article 5. 1. In the case of a member the territory of which includes large areas where, by reason of the sparseness of the population or of the stage of economic development of the area, the competent authority considers it impracticable to enforce the provisions of this Convention, the authority may exempt such areas from the application of the Convention either generally or with such exceptions in respect of particular localities or of particular kinds of building operations as it thinks fit. 2. Each member shall indicate in its first annual report upon the application of this Convention submitted under Article 22 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization any areas in respect of which it proposes to have recourse to the provisions of the present Article, and no member shall, after the date of its first annual report, have recourse to the provisions of the present Article except in respect of areas so indicated. 3. Each member having recourse to the provisions of the present Article shall indicate in subsequent annual reports any areas in respect of which it renounces the right to have recourse to the provisions of the present Article. Article 6. Each member which ratifies this Convention undertakes to communicate annually to the International Labour Office the latest statistical information relating to the number and classification of accidents occurring to persons occupied on work within the scope of this Convention. Part ll.—General Rules as to Scaffolds. Article 7. 1. Suitable scaffolds shall be provided for workmen for all work that cannot be safely done from a ladder or by other means. 2. A scaffold shall not be constructed, taken down, or substantially altered except — (а) Under the supervision of a competent and responsible person ; and (б) As far as possible by competent workers possessing adequate experience in this kind of work. 3. All scaffolds and appliances connected therewith and all ladders shall — (a) Be of sound material ; (b) Be of adequate strength, having regard to the loads and strains to which they will be subjected ; and (c) Be maintained in proper condition. 4. Scaffolds shall be so constructed that no part thereof can be displaced in consequence of normal use. 5. Scaffolds shall not be overloaded, and so far as practicable the load shall be evenly distributed. 6. Before installing lifting-gear on scaffolds special precautions shall be taken to ensure the strength and stability of the scaffolds. 7. Scaffolds shall be periodically inspected by a competent person. 8. Before allowing a scaffold to be used by his workmen, every employer shall, whether the scaffold has been erected by his workmen or not, take steps to ensure that it complies fully with the requirements of this Article. Article 8. 1. Working-platforms, gangways, and stairways shall — (a) Be so constructed that no part thereof can sag unduly or unequally ; (b) Be so constructed and maintained, having regard to the prevailing conditions, as to reduce as far as practicable risks of persons tripping or slipping ; and (c) Be kept free from any unnecessary obstruction. 2. In the case of working-platforms, gangways, working-places, and stairways at a height exceeding that to be prescribed by national laws or regulations— (a) Every working-platform and every gangway shall be closely boarded, unless other adequate measures are taken to ensure safety ; (b) Every working-platform and gangway shall have adequate width ; and (c) Every working-platform, gangway, working-place, and stairway shall be suitably fenced. Article 9. 1. Every opening in the floor of a building or in a working-platform shall, except for the time and to the extent required to allow the access of persons or the transport or shifting of material, be provided with suitable means to prevent the fall of persons or material. 2. When persons are employed on a roof where there is a danger of falling from a height exceeding that to be prescribed by national laws or regulations, suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent the fall of persons or material. 3. Suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent persons being struck by articles which might fall from scaffolds or other working-places.

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