Spanish Occupational Safety and Health Strategy 2023–2027

A shared preventive policy framework

The strategy arose from agreement between central government, the autonomous communities and the social partners. Its scope is Spain’s preventive system, connected with the European framework and other public policies.

It is neither a company certification nor a checklist enabling an organisation to declare compliance simply by ticking boxes. Its proposals must be distinguished from duties arising from laws, regulations and other applicable provisions.

Six connected priorities

• Reduce occupational accidents and diseases.
• Anticipate risks associated with changes in work, demographics and climate.
• Improve the integration of prevention and preventive training in SMEs.
• Protect people in situations of greater risk or vulnerability.
• Incorporate a gender perspective into OSH.
• Strengthen institutions and coordination for future crises.

These priorities are interconnected. For example, introducing technology may require reviewing training, work organisation and different effects on exposed groups, alongside equipment hazards.

From strategy to action plans

Implementation is organised into the 2023–2024 and 2025–2027 periods. Plans specify measures, while the strategy document explains the overall direction. To understand an action, consult the plan and corresponding official information.

Proposal, implementation and outcome must be distinguished. A measure appearing in a plan does not demonstrate that all its activities are complete or that a planned regulatory change is already in force. Record the consultation date when using this information.

How a company can use it

A useful reading starts from the organisation’s actual exposures and difficulties. The strategy priorities that may provide context, resources or questions for reviewing preventive work are then identified.

Selection should lead to concrete decisions: which situation needs improvement, who participates, what resources are needed and how the outcome will be checked. Copying the six objectives into a corporate slogan contributes less than resolving an identified problem and following up.

Connecting it with the organisation’s own planning

Risk assessment and applicable duties remain the basis for deciding workplace measures. The strategy can broaden consideration of changes and groups that may receive insufficient attention without replacing that analysis.

Indicators must match the chosen company objective. Counting events or materials distributed measures activity; checking implementation and effectiveness provides a better assessment of progress. Listen to affected people before closing an action.