C152 - Convenio sobre seguridad e higiene (trabajos portuarios),
1979 (núm. 152)
“Convenio
sobre seguridad e higiene en los trabajos portuarios (Entrada en vigor: 05
diciembre 1981) Adopción: Ginebra, 65ª reunión CIT (25 junio 1979) - Estatus: Instrumento
actualizado (Convenios Técnicos).”
Preamble
The
General Conference of the International Labour Organisation,
Having
been convened at Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office, and having met in its Sixty-fifth Session on
6 June 1979, and
Noting
the terms of existing international labour
Conventions and Recommendations which are relevant and, in particular, the
Marking of Weight (Packages Transported by Vessels) Convention, 1929, the
Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963, and the Working Environment (Air
Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977, and
Having
decided upon the adoption of certain proposals with regard to the revision of
the Protection against Accidents (Dockers) Convention (Revised), 1932 (No. 32),
which is the fourth item on the agenda of the session, and
Considering
that these proposals must take the form of an international Convention,
adopts this twenty-fifth day of June of the year one thousand nine hundred and
seventy-nine the following Convention, which may be cited as the Occupational
Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979:
PART I. SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS
Article 1
For the purpose
of this Convention, the term dock work covers all and any part of the work of
loading or unloading any ship as well as any work incidental thereto; the
definition of such work shall be established by national law or practice. The organisations of employers and workers concerned shall be
consulted on or otherwise participate in the establishment and revision of this
definition.
Article 2
1. A Member may
grant exemptions from or permit exceptions to the provisions of this Convention
in respect of dock work at any place where the traffic is irregular and
confined to small ships, as well as in respect of dock work in relation to
fishing vessels or specified categories thereof, on condition that—
(a) safe working conditions are maintained; and
(b) the competent authority, after consultation with the organisations of employers and workers concerned, is
satisfied that it is reasonable in all the circumstances that there be such
exemptions or exceptions.
2. Particular
requirements of Part III of this Convention may be varied if the competent
authority is satisfied, after consultation with the organisations
of employers and workers concerned, that the variations provide corresponding
advantages and that the over-all protection afforded is not inferior to that
which would result from the full application of the provisions of this
Convention.
3. Any
exemptions or exceptions made under paragraph 1 of this Article and any
significant variations made under paragraph 2 of this Article, as well as the
reasons therefor, shall be indicated in the reports on the application of the
Convention submitted in pursuance of Article 22 of the Constitution of the
International Labour Organisation.
Article 3
For the purpose
of this Convention--
(a) the term worker means any person engaged in dock work;
(b) the term
competent person means a person possessing the knowledge and experience
required for the performance of a specific duty or duties and acceptable as
such to the competent authority;
(c) the term
responsible person means a person appointed by the employer, the master of the
ship or the owner of the gear, as the case may be, to be responsible for the
performance of a specific duty or duties and who has sufficient knowledge and
experience and the requisite authority for the proper performance of the duty
or duties;
(d) the term authorised person means a person authorised
by the employer, the master of the ship or a responsible person to undertake a
specific task or tasks and possessing the necessary technical knowledge and
experience;
(e) the term
lifting appliance covers all stationary or mobile cargo-handling appliances, including
shore-based power-operated ramps, used on shore or on board ship for
suspending, raising or lowering loads or moving them from one position to
another while suspended or supported;
(f) the term
loose gear covers any gear by means of which a load can be attached to a
lifting appliance but which does not form an integral part of the appliance or
load;
(g) the term access includes egress;
(h) the term ship covers any kind of ship, vessel, barge,
lighter or hovercraft, excluding ships of war.
PART II.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 4
1. National laws
or regulations shall prescribe that measures complying with Part III of this
Convention be taken as regards dock work with a view to-- (a) providing and
maintaining workplaces, equipment and methods of work that are safe and without
risk of injury to health;
(b) providing and maintaining safe means of access to any
workplace;
(c) providing the information, training and supervision
necessary to ensure the protection of workers against risks of accident or
injury to health arising out of or in the course of their employment;
(d) providing workers with any personal protective equipment and
protective clothing and any life-saving appliances reasonably required where
adequate protection against risks of accident or injury to health cannot be
provided by other means;
(e) providing and maintaining suitable and adequate first-aid
and rescue facilities;
(f) developing and establishing proper procedures to deal with
any emergency situations which may arise.
2. The measures
to be taken in pursuance of this Convention shall cover-- (a) general
requirements relating to the construction, equipping and maintenance of dock
structures and other places at which dock work is carried out;
(b) fire and explosion prevention and protection;
(c) safe means of access to ships, holds, staging, equipment and
lifting appliances;
(d) transport of workers;
(e) opening and closing of hatches, protection of hatchways and
work in holds; (f) construction, maintenance and use of lifting and other
cargo-handling appliances;
(g) construction, maintenance and use of staging;
(h) rigging and use of ship's derricks;
(i) testing,
examination, inspection and certification, as appropriate, of lifting appliances,
of loose gear, including chains and ropes, and of slings and other lifting
devices which form an integral part of the load;
(j) handling of different types of cargo;
(k) stacking and storage of goods;
(l) dangerous substances and other hazards in the working
environment;
(m) personal protective equipment and protective clothing;
(n) sanitary and washing facilities and welfare amenities;
(o) medical supervision;
(p) first-aid
and rescue facilities;
(q) safety and health organisation;
(r) training of workers;
(s) notification and investigation of occupational accidents and
diseases.
3. The practical
implementation of the requirements prescribed in pursuance of paragraph 1 of
this Article shall be ensured or assisted by technical standards or codes of
practice approved by the competent authority, or by other appropriate methods
consistent with national practice and conditions.
Article 5
1. National laws
or regulations shall make appropriate persons, whether employers, owners,
masters or other persons, as the case may be, responsible for compliance with
the measures referred to in Article 4, paragraph 1, of this Convention.
2. Whenever two
or more employers undertake activities simultaneously at one workplace, they
shall have the duty to collaborate in order to comply with the prescribed
measures, without prejudice to the responsibility of each employer for the
health and safety of his employees. In appropriate circumstances, the competent
authority shall prescribe general procedures for this collaboration.
Article 6
1. There shall
be arrangements under which workers—
(a) are required neither to interfere without due cause with
the operation of, nor to misuse, any safety device or appliance provided for
their own protection or the protection of others;
(b) take reasonable care for their own safety and that of other
persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work;
(c) report forthwith to their immediate supervisor any situation
which they have reason to believe could present a risk and which they cannot
correct themselves, so that corrective measures can be taken.
2. Workers shall
have a right at any workplace to participate in ensuring safe working to the
extent of their control over the equipment and methods of work and to express
views on the working procedures adopted as they affect safety. In so far as
appropriate under national law and practice, where safety and health committees
have been formed in accordance with Article 37 of this Convention, this right
shall be exercised through these committees.
Article 7
1. In giving
effect to the provisions of this Convention by national laws or regulations or
other appropriate methods consistent with national practice and conditions, the
competent authority shall act in consultation with the organisations
of employers and workers concerned.
2. Provision
shall be made for close collaboration between employers and workers or their
representatives in the application of the measures referred to in Article 4,
paragraph 1, of this Convention.
PART III.
TECHNICAL MEASURES
Article 8
Any time that a
workplace has become unsafe or there is a risk of injury to health, effective
measures shall be taken (by fencing, flagging or other suitable means
including, where necessary, cessation of work) to protect the workers until the
place has been made safe again.
Article 9
1. All places
where dock work is being carried out and any approaches thereto shall be
suitably and adequately lighted.
2. Any obstacle
liable to be dangerous to the movement of a lifting appliance, vehicle or
person shall, if it cannot be removed for practical reasons, be suitably and
conspicuously marked and, where necessary, adequately lighted.
Article 10
1. All surfaces
used for vehicle traffic or for the stacking of goods or materials shall be
suitable for the purpose and properly maintained.
2. Where goods
or materials are stacked, stowed, unstacked or unstowed,
the work shall be done in a safe and orderly manner having regard to the nature
of the goods or materials and their packing.
Article 11
1. Passageways
of adequate width shall be left to permit the safe use of vehicles and
cargo-handling appliances.
2. Separate
passageways for pedestrian use shall be provided where necessary and
practicable; such passageways shall be of adequate width and, as far as is
practicable, separated from passageways used by vehicles.
Article 12
Suitable and
adequate means for fighting fire shall be provided and kept available for use
where dock work is carried out.
Article 13
1. All dangerous
parts of machinery shall be effectively guarded, unless they are in such a
position or of such a construction as to be as safe as they would be if
effectively guarded.
2. Effective
measures shall be provided for promptly cutting off the power to any machinery
in respect of which this is necessary, in an emergency.
3. When any
cleaning, maintenance or repair work that would expose any person to danger has
to be undertaken on machinery, the machinery shall be stopped before this work
is begun and adequate measures shall be taken to ensure that the machinery
cannot be restarted until the work has been completed: Provided that a
responsible person may restart the machinery for the purpose of any testing or
adjustment which cannot be carried out while the machinery is at rest.
4. Only an authorised person shall be permitted to—
(a) remove any guard where this is necessary for the purpose of
the work being carried out;
(b) remove a safety device or make it inoperative for the
purpose of cleaning, adjustment or repair.
5. If any guard
is removed, adequate precautions shall be taken, and the guard shall be
replaced as soon as practicable.
6. If any safety
device is removed or made inoperative, the device shall be replaced or its
operation restored as soon as practicable and measures shall be taken to ensure
that the relevant equipment cannot be used or inadvertently started until the
safety device has been replaced or its operation restored.
7. For the
purpose of this Article, the term machinery includes any lifting appliance, mechanised hatch cover or power-driven equipment.
Article 14
All electrical
equipment and installations shall be so constructed, installed, operated and
maintained as to prevent danger and shall conform to such standards as have
been recognised by the competent authority.
Article 15
When a ship is
being loaded or unloaded alongside a quay or another ship, adequate and safe
means of access to the ship, properly installed and secured, shall be provided
and kept available.
Article 16
1. When workers
have to be transported to or from a ship or other place by water, adequate
measures shall be taken to ensure their safe embarking, transport and
disembarking; the conditions to be complied with by the vessels used for this
purpose shall be specified.
2. When workers
have to be transported to or from a workplace on land, means of transport
provided by the employer shall be safe.
Article 17
1. Access to a
ship's hold or cargo deck shall be by means of—
(a) a fixed stairway or, where this is not practicable, a fixed
ladder or cleats or cups of suitable dimensions, of adequate strength and
proper construction; or
(b) by other means acceptable to the competent authority.
2. So far as is
reasonably practicable, the means of access specified in this Article shall be
separate from the hatchway opening.
3. Workers shall
not use, or be required to use, any other means of access to a ship's hold or
cargo deck than those specified in this Article.
Article 18
1. No hatch
cover or beam shall be used unless it is of sound construction, of adequate
strength for the use to which it is to be put and properly maintained.
2. Hatch covers
handled with the aid of a lifting appliance shall be fitted with readily
accessible and suitable attachments for securing the slings or other lifting
gear.
3. Where hatch
covers and beams are not interchangeable, they shall be kept plainly marked to
indicate the hatch to which they belong and their position therein.
4. Only an authorised person (whenever practicable a member of the
ship's crew) shall be permitted to open or close power-operated hatch covers;
the hatch covers shall not be opened or closed while any person is liable to be
injured by the operation of the covers.
5. The
provisions of paragraph 4 of this Article shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to
power-operated ship's equipment such as a door in the hull of a ship, a ramp, a
retractable car deck or similar equipment.
Article 19
1. Adequate
measures shall be taken to protect any opening in or on a deck where workers
are required to work, through which opening workers or vehicles are liable to
fall.
2. Every
hatchway not fitted with a coaming of adequate height and strength shall be
closed or its guard replaced when the hatchway is no longer in use, except during
short interruptions of work, and a responsible person shall be charged with
ensuring that these measures are carried out.
Article 20
1. All necessary
measures shall be taken to ensure the safety of workers required to be in the
hold or on a cargo deck of a ship when power vehicles operate in that hold or
loading or unloading operations are taking place with the aid of power-operated
appliances.
2. Hatch covers
and beams shall not be removed or replaced while work is in progress in the
hold under the hatchway. Before loading or unloading takes place, any hatch
cover or beam that is not adequately secured against displacement shall be
removed.
3. Adequate
ventilation shall be provided in the hold or on a cargo deck by the circulation
of fresh air to prevent risks of injury to health arising from the fumes
emitted by internal combustion engines or from other sources.
4. Adequate
arrangements, including safe means of escape, shall be made for the safety of
persons when dry bulk cargo is being loaded or unloaded in any hold or 'tween
deck or when a worker is required to work in a bin or hopper on board ship.
Article 21
Every lifting
appliance, every item of loose gear and every sling or lifting device forming
an integral part of a load shall be--
(a) of good
design and construction, of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is
used, maintained in good repair and working order and, in the case of a lifting
appliance in respect of which this is necessary, properly installed;
(b) used in a
safe and proper manner and, in particular, shall not be loaded beyond its safe
working load or loads, except for testing purposes as specified and under the
direction of a competent person.
Article 22
1. Every lifting
appliance and every item of loose gear shall be tested in accordance with
national laws or regulations by a competent person before being put into use
for the first time and after any substantial alteration or repair to any part
liable to affect its safety.
2. Lifting
appliances forming part of a ship's equipment shall be retested at least once
in every five years.
3. Shore-based
lifting appliances shall be retested at such times as prescribed by the
competent authority.
4. Upon the
completion of every test of a lifting appliance or item of loose gear carried
out in accordance with this Article, the appliance or gear shall be thoroughly
examined and certified by the person carrying out the test.
Article 23
1. In addition
to the requirements of Article 22, every lifting appliance and every item of
loose gear shall be periodically thoroughly examined and certified by a
competent person. Such examinations shall take place at least once in every 12
months.
2. For the
purpose of paragraph 4 of Article 22 and of paragraph 1 of this Article, a
thorough examination means a detailed visual examination by a competent person,
supplemented if necessary by other suitable means or measures in order to
arrive at a reliable conclusion as to the safety of the appliance or item of
loose gear examined.
Article 24
1. Every item of
loose gear shall be inspected regularly before use. Expendable or disposable
slings shall not be reused. In the case of pre-slung cargoes, the slings shall
be inspected as frequently as is reasonably practicable.
2. For the
purpose of paragraph 1 of this Article, an inspection means a visual inspection
by a responsible person carried out to decide whether, so far as can be
ascertained in such manner, the gear or sling is safe for continued use.
Article 25
1. Such duly
authenticated records as will provide prima facie evidence of the safe
condition of the lifting appliances and items of loose gear concerned shall be
kept, on shore or on the ship as the case may be; they shall specify the safe
working load and the dates and results of the tests, thorough examinations and
inspections referred to in Articles 22, 23 and 24 of this Convention: Provided
that in the case of inspections referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 24 of
this Convention, a record need only be made where the inspection discloses a
defect.
2. A register of
the lifting appliances and items of loose gear shall be kept in a form
prescribed by the competent authority, account being taken of the model
recommended by the International Labour Office.
3. The register
shall comprise certificates granted or recognised as
valid by the competent authority, or certified true copies of the said
certificates, in a form prescribed by the competent authority, account being
taken of the models recommended by the International Labour
Office in respect of the testing, thorough examination and inspection, as the
case may be, of lifting appliances and items of loose gear.
Article 26
1. With a view
to ensuring the mutual recognition of arrangements made by Members which have
ratified this Convention for the testing, thorough examination, inspection and
certification of lifting appliances and items of loose gear forming part of a
ship's equipment and of the records relating thereto—
(a) the competent authority of each Member which has ratified
the Convention shall appoint or otherwise recognise
competent persons or national or international organisations
to carry out tests and/or thorough examinations and related functions, under
conditions that ensure that the continuance of appointment or recognition
depends upon satisfactory performance;
(b) Members
which have ratified the Convention shall accept or recognise
those appointed or otherwise recognised pursuant to
subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, or shall enter into reciprocal arrangements
with regard to such acceptance or recognition; in either case,
acceptance or recognition shall be under conditions that make their continuance
dependent upon satisfactory performance.
2. No lifting
appliance, loose gear or other cargo-handling appliances shall be used if—
(a) the
competent authority is not satisfied by reference to a certificate of test or
examination or to an authenticated record, as the case may be, that the
necessary test, examination or inspection has been carried out in accordance
with the provisions of this Convention; or
(b) in the view of the competent authority, the appliance or
gear is not safe for use.
3. Paragraph 2
of this Article shall not be so applied as to cause delay in loading or
unloading a ship where equipment satisfactory to the competent authority is
used.
Article 27
1. Every lifting
appliance (other than a ship's derrick) having a single safe working load and
every item of loose gear shall be clearly marked with its safe working load by
stamping or, where this is impracticable, by other suitable means.
2. Every lifting
appliance (other than a ship's derrick) having more than one safe working load
shall be fitted with effective means of enabling the driver to determine the
safe working load under each condition of use.
3. Every ship's
derrick (other than a derrick crane) shall be clearly marked with the safe
working loads applying when the derrick is used—
(a) in single purchase;
(b) with a lower cargo block;
(c) in union purchase in all possible block positions.
Article 28
Every ship shall
carry rigging plans and any other relevant information necessary to permit the
safe rigging of its derricks and accessory gear.
Article 29
Pallets and
similar devices for containing or supporting loads shall be of sound
construction, of adequate strength and free from visible defects liable to
affect their safe use.
Article 30
Loads shall not
be raised or lowered unless slung or otherwise attached to the lifting
appliance in a safe manner.
Article 31
1. Every freight
container terminal shall be so laid out and operated as to ensure so far as is
reasonably practicable the safety of the workers.
2. In the case
of ships carrying containers, means shall be provided for ensuring the safety
of workers lashing or unlashing the containers.
Article 32
1. Any dangerous
cargo shall be packed, marked and labelled, handled, stored and stowed in
accordance with the relevant requirements of international regulations applying
to the transport of dangerous goods by water and those dealing specifically
with the handling of dangerous goods in ports.
2. Dangerous
substances shall not be handled, stored or stowed unless they are packed and
marked and labelled in compliance with international regulations for the
transport of such substances.
3. If
receptacles or containers of dangerous substances are broken or damaged to a
dangerous extent, dock work, other than that necessary to eliminate danger,
shall be stopped in the area concerned and the workers removed to a safe place
until the danger has been eliminated.
4. Adequate
measures shall be taken to prevent exposure of workers to toxic or harmful
substances or agents, or oxygen-deficient or flammable atmospheres.
5. Where workers
are required to enter any confined space in which toxic or harmful substances
are liable to be present or in which there is liable to be an oxygen
deficiency, adequate measures shall be taken to prevent accidents or injury to
health.
Article 33
Suitable
precautions shall be taken to protect workers against the harmful effects of
excessive noise at the workplace.
Article 34
1. Where
adequate protection against risks of accident or injury to health cannot be
ensured by other means, workers shall be provided with and shall be required to
make proper use of such personal protective equipment and protective clothing
as is reasonably required for the performance of their work.
2. Workers shall
be required to take care of that personal protective equipment and protective
clothing.
3. Personal
protective equipment and protective clothing shall be properly maintained by
the employer.
Article 35
In case of
accident, adequate facilities, including trained personnel, shall be readily
available for the rescue of any person in danger, for the provision of
first-aid and for the removal of injured persons in so far as is reasonably
practicable without further endangering them.
Article 36
1. Each Member
shall determine, by national laws or regulations or other appropriate methods
consistent with national practice and conditions, and
after consultation with the organisations of
employers and workers concerned—
(a) for which risks inherent in the work there is to be an
initial medical examination or a periodical medical examination, or both;
(b) with due regard to the nature and degree of the risks and
the particular circumstances, the maximum intervals at which periodical medical
examinations are to be carried out;
(c) in the case of workers exposed to special occupational
health hazards, the range of special investigations deemed necessary;
(d) appropriate measures for the provision of occupational
health services for workers.
2. All medical
examinations and investigations carried out in pursuance of paragraph 1 of this
Article shall be free of cost to the worker.
3. The records
of the medical examinations and the investigations shall be confidential.
Article 37
1. Safety and
health committees including employers' and workers' representatives shall be
formed at every port where there is a significant
number of workers. Such committees shall also be formed at other ports as
necessary.
2. The
establishment, composition and functions of such committees shall be determined
by national laws or regulations or other appropriate methods consistent with
national practice and conditions, after consultation with the organisations of employers and workers concerned, and in
the light of local circumstances.
Article 38
1. No worker
shall be employed in dock work unless he has been given adequate instruction or
training as to the potential risks attaching to his work and the main
precautions to be taken.
2. A lifting
appliance or other cargo-handling appliance shall be operated only by a person
who is at least 18 years of age and who possesses the necessary aptitudes and
experience or a person under training who is properly supervised.
Article 39
To assist in the
prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, measures shall be taken to
ensure that they are reported to the competent authority and, where necessary,
investigated.
Article 40
In accordance
with national laws or regulations or national practice, a sufficient number of
adequate and suitable sanitary and washing facilities shall be provided and
properly maintained at each dock, wherever practicable within a reasonable
distance of the workplace.
PART IV.
IMPLEMENTATION
Article 41
Each Member
which ratifies this Convention shall--
(a) specify the duties in respect of occupational safety and
health of persons and bodies concerned with dock work;
(b) take necessary measures, including the provision of
appropriate penalties, to enforce the provisions of the Convention;
(c) provide appropriate inspection services to supervise the
application of the measures to be taken in pursuance of the Convention, or
satisfy itself that appropriate inspection is carried out.
Article 42
1. National laws
or regulations shall prescribe the time-limits within which the provisions of
this Convention shall apply in respect of-- (a) the construction or equipping
of a ship;
(b) the construction or equipping of any shore-based lifting
appliance or other cargo-handling appliance;
(c) the construction of any item of loose gear.
2. The
time-limits prescribed pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article shall not exceed
four years from the date of ratification of the Convention.
PART V. FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 43
This Convention
revises the Protection against Accidents (Dockers) Convention, 1929, and the
Protection against Accidents (Dockers) Convention (Revised), 1932.
Article 44
The formal
ratifications of this Convention shall be communicated to the Director-General
of the International Labour Office for registration.
Article 45
1. This
Convention shall be binding only upon those Members of the International Labour Organisation whose
ratifications have been registered with the Director-General.
2. It shall come
into force twelve months after the date on which the ratifications of two
Members have been registered with the Director-General.
3. Thereafter,
this Convention shall come into force for any Member twelve months after the
date on which its ratification has been registered.
Article 46
1. A Member
which has ratified this Convention may denounce it after the expiration of ten
years from the date on which the Convention first comes into force, by an act
communicated to the Director-General of the International Labour
Office for registration. Such denunciation shall not take effect until one year
after the date on which it is registered.
2. Each Member
which has ratified this Convention and which does not, within the year
following the expiration of the period of ten years mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, exercise the right of denunciation provided for in this Article,
will be bound for another period of ten years and, thereafter, may denounce
this Convention at the expiration of each period of ten years under the terms
provided for in this Article.
Article 47
1. The
Director-General of the International Labour Office
shall notify all Members of the International Labour Organisation of the registration of all ratifications and
denunciations communicated to him by the Members of the Organisation.
2. When
notifying the Members of the Organisation of the
registration of the second ratification communicated to him, the
Director-General shall draw the attention of the Members of the Organisation to the date upon which the Convention will
come into force.
Article 48
The
Director-General of the International Labour Office
shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for
registration in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United
Nations full particulars of all ratifications and acts of denunciation
registered by him in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Articles.
Article 49
At such times as
it may consider necessary the Governing Body of the International Labour Office shall present to the General Conference a
report on the working of this Convention and shall examine the desirability of
placing on the agenda of the Conference the question of its revision in whole
or in part.
Article 50
1. Should the
Conference adopt a new Convention revising this Convention in whole or in part,
then, unless the new Convention otherwise provides:
(a) the ratification by a Member of the new revising Convention
shall ipso jure involve the immediate denunciation of this Convention,
notwithstanding the provisions of Article 46 above, if and when the new
revising Convention shall have come into force;
(b) as from the date when the new revising Convention comes into
force this Convention shall cease to be open to ratification by the Members.
2. This
Convention shall in any case remain in force in its actual form and content for
those Members which have ratified it but have not ratified the revising
Convention.
Article 51
The English and
French versions of the text of this Convention are equally authoritative.