Report References to occupational exposures Challenges faced by workers drills in emergency prevention, preparedness and response procedures. The former Special Rapporteur recommended a number of principles be taken into account while drafting and implementing such health-care waste management plans, some of which relate to the protection of workers in the healthcare sector from exposure to hazardous substances and wastes: Prevention/minimization of hazards — The former Special Rapporteur called on States, healthcare facilities and the private sector to take all appropriate measures, including educational programmes and improved production processes, to ensure that the generation of hazardous medical waste is reduced to a minimum. Hospitals should, whenever feasible, replace hazardous chemicals/products (for example, mercury-containing devices) or disposable instruments (such as scissors and kidney dishes) with alternative products or reusable products. Prescription practices should also be changed so that unnecessary injections in cases where effective oral medical is available may be avoided. Packaging and labelling — The use of internationally recognized symbols and signs is essential to ensure the safe handling of hazardous waste. A common system of labelling and coding of packaging should be used in all health-care establishments and be part of the waste management instructions for hospital workers who handle hazardous waste. Medical waste should be packaged in resistant and sealed bags or containers to prevent spilling during handling and transportation. If shipped abroad for treatment, medical waste should be labelled in accordance with international agreements (such as the Basel Convention). Handling, transportation and storage — Medical waste should be handled and transported in such a way as to prevent unnecessary exposure to staff and others. Handling and transportation should be minimized to reduce the likelihood of exposure to the waste. Medical waste should be held in storage areas that are identified as containing infectious waste. Such areas should always be fitted with a lock in order to prevent access by unauthorized persons. “Mission to Poland” (A/HRC/18/31/Add.2) (2011) • Inadequate standards of protection • Monitoring and enforcement gaps • Failures to realize the right to information The former Special Rapporteur shared the concerns expressed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that that Poland had not at the time taken the necessary measures to ensure that the Covenant is given full effect in its domestic legal order. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur noted that some of the economic and social rights enshrined in the Constitution, including the right to safe and healthy working conditions and the right to a healthy environment, • Limited implementation of ILO instruments A/HRC/39/48 35 The former Special Rapporteur noted with concern that national authorities responsible for monitoring compliance with national legislation including in relation to health and safety at work frequently lacked adequate human, technical and financial resources to carry out their monitoring functions adequately. Small and medium enterprises were inspected only once every four years, and only big industrial and agricultural enterprises were subject to more regular controls. The former Special Rapporteur recommended that Poland allocate adequate human, technical and financial resources to the various agencies responsible for enforcing and monitoring compliance with national legislation on environmental protection, waste and chemicals management, and health and safety at work.