SPAIN: 2026 declared “Year of safety and health at work”

On 11th November 2025, on the thirtieth anniversary of Law 31/1995 on the prevention of occupational risks, the Spanish government announced that 2026 will be the year of occupational safety and health.

Tackling “a silent epidemic”

In a recent press release formalizing this announcement, the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy refers to “still unacceptable figures” for the year 2024, when 796 people died at work or while commuting. While the world of work is changing rapidly, economic growth should not be synonymous with an increase in workplace accidents. For the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, it is therefore necessary to make progress in managing certain key challenges such as:

• the increase in psychosocial risks;
• the lack of effective equality between men and women;
• occupational diseases;
• the aging of the working population;
• the impacts of climate change.
  

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A strengthened national and European strategic framework

The Spanish Strategy for Safety and Health at Work 2023-2027 (EESST) is the national roadmap for the prevention of occupational risks. Approved in March 2023, it is in line with the priorities of the European Strategic Framework for Safety and Health at Work 2021-2027, particularly with regard to anticipating the risks associated with the digital, ecological, and demographic transitions.

With this announcement, the government reaffirms that:

1. Safety and health at work are a fundamental right and a shared responsibility.
2. Regulatory adaptation of prevention measures to emerging risks will continue to be encouraged.
3. Ongoing awareness-raising and information campaigns will be implemented.
4. Research, innovation, and knowledge transfer will be strengthened.
5. A policy of national and international cooperation on prevention will be promoted.
6. Educational activities tailored to each teaching environment will be promoted.

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