On this page
What it regulates
The 1977 Working Environment Convention covers air pollution, noise and vibration, but Spain declared acceptance only of the obligations concerning air pollution and noise. It entered into force for Spain on 17 December 1981. This page retains the full official title while clearly delimiting Spain’s commitment.
Who it applies to
The ratification instrument, Article 2 and prevention provisions in Articles 4–16 apply to air pollution and noise according to Spain’s declaration. Article 1 permits sector exclusions under its stated conditions; this page does not claim an exhaustive account of possible exclusions or national practice.
Key provisions
Spain expressly used the separate acceptance permitted by Article 2(1): air pollution and noise. The title’s reference to vibration does not by itself extend that acceptance.
Instrument of ratificationEmployers are responsible for implementing the prescribed measures. Where several operate simultaneously at a workplace, they must cooperate without removing each employer’s responsibility for its own workers.
Article 6The competent authority must establish criteria and, where appropriate, exposure limits, reviewing them against available knowledge and considering combined harmful factors. The Convention does not itself set universal numerical exposure values.
Article 8Article 9 prioritises eliminating risks through technical measures and, where that is not possible, supplementary organisational measures. Article 10 requires suitable, maintained protective equipment where those measures do not reduce exposure to the established limits.
Article 9Article 11 provides for health surveillance under the arrangements and circumstances set by the authority, at no cost to the worker. Where continued exposure is medically inadvisable, it requires measures consistent with national practice for suitable alternative work or income maintenance.
Article 11Articles 7 and 13 provide for information, training and participation concerning risks and protective measures. Articles 15 and 16 address competent support, implementation, appropriate penalties and inspection. They must be read alongside the national legislation specifying those duties.
Article 13History and versions
BOE publication: 30/12/1981 · Initial entry into force: 17/12/1981
BOE-A-1981-30105Spanish instrument dated 24 November 1980; ratification registered on 17 December 1980 and entry into force for Spain twelve months later, on 17 December 1981. BOE publication followed on 30 December 1981. Later communications in 2010, 2017 and 2023 report other States’ ratifications; they neither amend the text nor expand Spain’s acceptance. The official NORMLEX record continues to show it in force for air pollution and noise.
Publication of the instrument and Convention; Spain’s declaration is limited to air pollution and noise, effective for Spain from 17 December 1981.
BOE-A-1981-30105Communication of Luxembourg’s ratification; no Convention amendment or change to Spain’s acceptance.
BOE-A-2010-9885Communication of the Netherlands’ ratification; no new wording of Spain’s obligations.
BOE-A-2017-8752Communication of Uzbekistan’s ratification and entry into force; it does not amend Spain’s declaration.
BOE-A-2023-26102Text versions of the selected OSH provisions
| Publication | Effective date | Official reference | Affected provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30/12/1981 | 17/12/1981 | BOE-A-1981-30105 | Instrument of ratification, Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 10, Article 11, Article 12, Article 13, Article 14, Article 15, Article 16, Article 18, Article 24 |
Transitional provisions and application notes
Exclusion of vibration from Spain’s acceptance of this Convention does not mean absence of national protection: Spain has specific occupational vibration rules. These are distinct legal layers.
Article 2Do not confuse the Convention’s adoption in 1977, signature of Spain’s instrument on 24 November 1980, registration of ratification on 17 December 1980, effect for Spain on 17 December 1981 and BOE publication on 30 December 1981.
Article 18The English and French versions of the Convention are equally authoritative. This trilingual page is an editorial summary, not a new authoritative translation of the treaty or a replacement for the official text or NORMLEX ratification record.
Article 24
Official BOE legal relationships
This record covers the history of the selected occupational safety and health provisions. The official analysis also provides the relationships affecting other subjects in the legislation.
Official BOE legal relationships
