A/HRC/20/15
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
10 April 2012
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Twentieth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest
attainable standard of physical and mental health,
Anand Grover
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the
enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health considers
occupational health as an integral component of the right to health. The report outlines
international human rights and other instruments related to occupational health, and it
addresses occupational health in the informal economy, focusing on the needs of vulnerable
and marginalized groups. It also addresses the obligation of States to formulate, implement,
monitor and evaluate occupational health laws and policies, as well as the requirement for
the participation of workers at all stages of those activities. The discussion of State
obligations is followed by the analysis of such occupational health issues as environmental
and industrial hygiene; prevention and reduction of the working population‟s exposure to
harmful substances; challenges posed by emerging technologies; minimization of hazards
in the workplace; and availability and accessibility of occupational health services. The
Special Rapporteur then elaborates on the prospective and retrospective components of
accountability, as well as remedies for violations related to occupational health. The
Special Rapporteur concludes his report with a number of recommendations aimed at
strengthening occupational health, as a component of the right to health.
GE.12-12866