Occupational risk prevention law: rules for workplace health and safety.

Safety in the workplace is a crucial aspect for any company, as it aims to safeguard the physical and mental integrity of employees. To ensure people’s well-being, there are laws that have evolved over the years based on new needs, as well as innovative tools that prevent and minimize risks depending on the sector.

The prevention of occupational risks, like all aspects that protect workers, has been defined as a professional field through negotiations and as companies have modernized their human resources practices. For example, a major milestone for occupational risk prevention (ORP) was the creation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919, which promoted labor standards and the protection of workers worldwide. Would you like to learn more about this field and understand the key points of the current Occupational Risk Prevention Law? Keep reading!

Introduction to the Occupational Risk Prevention Law: Fundamentals and Objectives

The inclusion of specific laws and regulations in different countries has contributed to strengthening prevention and well-being in the workplace. Each country in the world has a different approach to occupational risks, depending on factors such as culture, economic development, and industrialization. In this post, we will focus on Spain and its latest update to the Occupational Risk Prevention Law.

What are the fundamentals and objectives of the ORP Law?

• Promote the safety and health of workers: the law aims to promote workers’ safety and health by establishing general principles such as preventing occupational hazards and eliminating or reducing risks derived from work.

• Information, consultation, and training: the law also establishes the obligation to inform, consult, and train employees in preventive matters.

• Right to protection against occupational risks: workers have the right to effective protection in terms of workplace health and safety.

• Occupational Risk Prevention Plan: occupational risk prevention must be integrated into the company’s general management system through the implementation and application of a risk prevention plan.

What does Article 21 of the Occupational Risk Prevention Law state?

We want to highlight Article 21 of the Occupational Risk Prevention Law, as it focuses on protecting workers operating in the most hazardous environments. Let’s look at its key points!

• Information for workers: when workers are or may be exposed to a serious and imminent risk, the employer must inform all affected workers as soon as possible about the existence of said risk and the measures taken or to be taken for protection.

• Interruption of activity: the employer must take the necessary measures and give instructions so that, in the event of serious, imminent, and unavoidable danger, workers can stop their activity and, if necessary, immediately leave the workplace.

• Right to stop work: workers have the right to stop their activity and leave the workplace, when necessary, if they believe that the activity poses a serious and imminent risk to their life or health.

• Suspension of activity: if the employer fails to take or allow the necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of workers, their legal representatives may decide, by majority, to suspend the activity of workers affected by said risk.

• Protection of workers: workers or their representatives shall not suffer any harm as a result of taking the measures referred to above, unless they have acted in bad faith or with gross negligence.

What requirements and obligations established by the Occupational Risk Prevention Law must employees and employers meet?

To make safety and health effective in the workplace, the Spanish Occupational Risk Prevention Law establishes a series of requirements and obligations that must be followed by both employees and employers.

Employees must comply with the specific obligations of their position, respect the safety and hygiene measures adopted, and follow the orders and instructions of their superiors. For their part, managers have the responsibility to guarantee workplace health and safety, provide information and training to employees, and develop a risk prevention plan.

Ultimately, for the entire occupational risk prevention framework to function effectively, it is essential that everyone respects the rules established by law and works together to promote a company culture that prioritizes safety and health at work.

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