Occupational Health and Safety in Spain

Coordinated legal and technical advice for safer workplaces

We advise companies on occupational health and safety from both a legal and technical perspective.

Our work covers preventive measures, risk assessments, internal procedures, workplace accidents, health surveillance, employee representation, contractor coordination and regulatory compliance.

We combine legal expertise with a practical understanding of operations to help companies reduce risk exposure and maintain effective prevention systems.

Occupational health and safety under Spanish law

Occupational health and safety obligations in Spain require active prevention, documented procedures and effective implementation.

 

The company’s risk assessment, preventive planning, organisational responsibilities, training, health surveillance, emergency measures and coordination duties must be aligned with the realities of the workplace.

 

We advise companies from the design and review of prevention systems through implementation, incident management and defence in administrative or judicial proceedings.

Core occupational health and safety matters

We advise on:

  • Occupational risk prevention systems
  • Workplace risk assessments
  • Preventive planning and control measures
  • Health and safety policies and procedures
  • Training and information obligations
  • Health surveillance
  • Emergency and evacuation measures
  • Psychosocial risks
  • Ergonomic and workplace adaptation measures
  • Remote working health and safety
  • Coordination of business activities
  • Contractors and subcontractors
  • Employee representative consultation
  • Workplace accidents and occupational diseases
  • Internal investigations
  • Labour inspections and administrative proceedings
  • Employment litigation linked to health and safety
  • Management and director liability

Risk assessment and preventive planning

Effective prevention begins with a clear understanding of the risks associated with each workplace, role and activity.

 

We advise on the legal adequacy of risk assessments, preventive plans, control measures, review procedures and the allocation of internal responsibilities.

Workplace accidents and internal investigations

Workplace accidents require an immediate and coordinated response.

 

We advise on evidence preservation, internal investigations, reporting obligations, communication with prevention services, employee representatives and authorities, and the assessment of potential legal exposure.

Psychosocial risks and workplace wellbeing

Psychosocial risks may arise from workload, working time, organisational change, management practices, conflict or inappropriate conduct.

 

We support companies in identifying and managing these risks through assessment, preventive measures, internal procedures and legally robust responses.

Contractors and coordination of business activities

Where several companies operate in the same workplace, health and safety responsibilities must be clearly coordinated.

 

We advise on contractor management, information exchange, documentation, access controls, allocation of responsibilities and compliance with coordination obligations.

Labour inspections and liability

Health and safety breaches may lead to administrative sanctions, Social Security surcharges, civil claims, employment disputes and, in serious cases, criminal liability.

 

We assist companies during labour inspections, accident investigations and administrative or judicial proceedings, coordinating the legal defence with the available technical evidence.

Health and safety governance

Occupational risk prevention must be integrated into the company’s management structure and decision-making processes.

 

We advise on governance, delegation of functions, reporting lines, internal controls, documentation and the responsibilities of directors, managers and prevention teams.

How we support the process

Assessment

Workplace risks, existing prevention systems, organisational responsibilities and legal exposure.

Design

Preventive measures, policies, procedures, governance and documentation.

Implementation

Training, communication, consultation, monitoring and operational integration.

Defence

Investigations, inspections, claims, administrative proceedings and litigation.

When to involve employment counsel

Employment counsel should be involved when prevention systems are designed or reviewed and as soon as a serious incident or compliance concern arises.

 

Early involvement is particularly important following a workplace accident, during a labour inspection, when psychosocial risks are identified, where several contractors operate together or where management liability may arise.

Occupational Health and Safety FAQs

What health and safety obligations do companies have in Spain?
Companies must assess workplace risks, plan preventive measures, provide training and information, organise health surveillance, adopt emergency measures and ensure effective implementation.
It should activate the relevant emergency and prevention procedures, preserve evidence, investigate the incident, complete any required reporting and assess potential corrective and legal measures.
Potentially, yes. Liability depends on the person’s responsibilities, decision-making powers, knowledge of the risk and the preventive measures adopted.

It should be reviewed following legal or organisational changes, new activities, workplace incidents, risk assessment updates, inspections or changes in working methods.

Corporate restructuring requires precision before action

We advise companies on the employment law strategy, negotiation, implementation and defence of restructuring processes in Spain.
Barcelona
Plaza Europa, 9-11, 15 D
Torre Inbisa
08908 Barcelona
Madrid
Príncipe de Vergara 62
1º Derecha
28006 Madrid