Report References to occupational exposures Challenges faced by workers affected indigenous and tribal peoples in decision-making on the extraction of natural resources and only provides for compensation for damage from harms caused by such extraction rather than mitigation, which could be accomplished through a robust free, prior and informed consent procedure. Likewise, the other conventions mentioned above contain critical qualifiers to obligations based on “national conditions and practice” which can result in reduced standards in some countries on the grounds that they lack the resources to meet obligations under one or more conventions. “Preliminary and scoping The report notes that, unlike most other areas of international environmental law, there is neither report” a framework Convention nor a comprehensive global regime on the regulation of toxic chemicals and wastes. Fewer than 30 of thousands of toxic substances are regulated through their lifecycle (A/HRC/24/39) (2013) under international conventions. The report notes that the impact of substances on human health and the environment can be reduced by limiting or prohibiting the use of these substances in certain industrial processes, where substitutes or alternative processes exist. These restrictions were first designed to protect the health of workers. For example, the ILO adopted a Convention prohibiting the use of certain pigments of lead in industrial paint to prevent the exposure of workers to the risk of lead poisoning. In 1971, another Convention was adopted by the ILO to restrict the use of benzene or products of benzene in certain industrial activities, while demanding the replacement of these carcinogens produced by less harmful substitutes. “Mission to Hungary” (A/HRC/24/39/Add.1) (2013) In Hungary, when a reservoir containing red sludge collapsed, the most serious immediate effects were caused by the high alkalinity (pH 13+) of the sludge. The people of Devecser and Kolontár experienced serious first- and second-degree chemical burns to the skin; respiratory problems were also documented. In addition, the health of some 4,000 volunteers and rescue workers were similarly affected. The former Special Rapporteur attached great importance to the issue of occupational health during rescue operations, and reiterated the recommendation of WHO that personal protective equipment should be selected on the basis of the hazards identified, the protective qualities of the equipment and its suitability for the tasks performed. The former Special Rapporteur was concerned by information he received indicating that there are no special protocols for the rescue of children, the elderly, persons with disabilities or other persons in need of protection in the training programme developed for disaster management forces in Hungary. Inadequate standards of protection • Disconnected efforts on occupational and environmental health • Limited implementation of ILO instruments • Inadequate standards of protection • Monitoring and enforcement gaps • Exploitation of those most at risk • Disconnected efforts on occupational and environmental health • Failures to realize the right to information • Limited implementation of A/HRC/39/48 39 The former Special Rapporteur recommended that the Government of Hungary: (a) Consider accession to the Protocol on Liability and Compensation for Damage resulting from Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and to contribute to its entry into force; (b) Consider ratifying the ILO Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) and the Prevention of Major Industrial Convention, 1993 (No. 174) to strengthen the framework for occupational safety. The former Special Rapporteur also recommended among other measures that the Government of Hungary in the mining law place emphasis on provisions that provide for meaningful engagement with affected communities and for the safety of workers, especially those dealing with harmful substances; and ensure that impact assessments use reliable baseline studies •