On 22 June 1995, the International Labour Conference adopts the Safety and Health in Mines Convention (C176) — the ILO standard for preventing accidents and occupational disease in mining.

The Convention requires employers to assess risks, ensure ventilation, ground support, protective equipment and workers’ right to withdraw from imminent danger.

Entry into force: 5 June 1998. Recommendation R183 details technical and organisational measures.

C176 responds to mining disasters of the 1980s–1990s and union pressure for global standards in one of the most hazardous sectors.

For labour law, 22 June 1995 marks a clear multilateral OSH framework for surface and underground mines.

The official text is on NORMLEX (ILO C176).

Convention C176 of 22 June 1995 remains the ILO reference for safety and health in mines.

Image: mining; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995. Treaty text: C176 — Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (ILO).