Human Rights versus Occupational Medicine

Abstract

This paper examines the conflict between the medical monitoring of workers and human rights. A lead regulation in force in Ontario, despite its absolute conflict with an important guideline established by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, is presented as an example of the erosion of human rights by certain legislated activities in occupational medicine. The question of whether the benefits of occupational medical activities outweigh the disadvantages attendant upon the erosion of human rights is raised. It is concluded that these are political and ethical issues, not merely technical ones, and should be debated publicly.