Summary/citation: Spain has developed a complex OSH legal framework.
Being a member of the EU, Spain is subjected to apply EU legislation. In this respect, there are a number of EU directives which must be transposed into national law which means that national legislation shall include and develop the mandatory provisions established in the Directive. This is the case of Directive 89/391/CEE related to the promotion of measures to improve safety and health of workers; Directives 92/85/CEE, 94/33/CEE and 91/383/CEE regarding protection of maternity and youth. There are also directives covering specific risks at the workplace. Moreover there are a number of ILO Conventions on OSH which has been ratified by Spain (Conventions Nos. 013, 062, 115, 119, 120, 127, 136, 148, 155, 162, 176 and 187).
With regard to national legislation, there is a large list of laws, regulations, decrees and orders on OSH related issues.
The Constitution requires public administration to safeguard the safety and health of workers (art.40.2).
The leading OSH legal texts are the Law on the Prevention of Occupational Risks, Legislation on Occupational Accidents and its Regulations, Regulations on Preventive Services, Sectorial OSH laws (mines, construction...), Decrees Nos. 485/1997, 486/1997, 487/1997 and 488/1997, among others, on minimum dispositions on safety and health related issues at the workplace, etc.
There is a National OSH Commission and a National OSH Institute in charge of performing research, providing documents, publications, studies, advice and training on OSH issues.
The enforcement of OSH law is controlled by the Labour Inspectorate. Inspectors have been attributed by law a large list of powers within the exercise of their inspection function.
The mutual insurance companies shall elaborate plans with preventative activities in accordance with the established in the Resolution of 4 May 2015 of the Social Security State Secretariat. These preventative activities cannot substitute the obligation of the undertaking to comply with its obligations under Law 31/1995 of 8 November 1995 on the Prevention of Occupational Risks.
Remarks / comments: The Ministry of Labour and Social Security follows a policy which encourages the undertakings to prevent accidents.
For instance, the Royal Decree 404/2010 of 31 March regulates the establishment of a system which reduces the quotes to the Social Security related to occupational accidents for those undertakings which have especially contributed to reduce and prevent accidents.
• Resolution of 4 May 2015 that defines the Social Security preventive general activity to be applied by Mutual insurance companies that collaborate with Social Security in activities planning for 2015 20150514
• Occupational safety and health country profile: Spain
• Orden núm. TIN/1448/2010 por la que se desarrolla el Real Decreto 404/2010 por el que se regula el establecimiento de un sistema de reducción de las cotizaciones por contingencias profesionales a las empresas que hayan contribuido especialmente a la disminución y prevención de la siniestralidad laboral.
• Real Decreto 485/1997, de 14 de abril, sobre disposiciones mínimas en materia de señalización de seguridad y salud en el trabajo
• Real Decreto 487/1997, de 14 de abril, sobre disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y salud relativas a la manipulación manual de cargas que entrañe riesgos, en particular dorsolumbares, para los trabajadores
• Real Decreto 486/1997, de 14 de abril, por el que se establecen las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los lugares de trabajo
• Real Decreto 39/1997, de 17 de enero, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de los Servicios de Prevención
• Real Decreto 488/1997, de 14 de abril, sobre disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y salud relativas al trabajo con equipos que incluyen pantallas de visualización
• Real Decreto 1879/1996, de 2 de agosto, por el que se regula la composición de la Comisión Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo
• Ley núm. 31/1995, de 8 de noviembre, de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales