When a company starts a new construction project in Spain, one of the most important aspects to ensure legal compliance and the proper development of the work is to have an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) consultancy for construction.
Spanish legislation on Occupational Risk Prevention requires adequate preventive planning throughout all phases of a project. However, not all consultancies offer the same level of experience, technical capability, or support.
Choosing the right partner can make the difference between a project that progresses without incidents and one with delays, administrative sanctions, or workplace accidents.
What Does an Occupational Health and Safety Consultancy Do in Construction?
A specialized consultancy helps the developer, builder, or contractor comply with all preventive obligations established by Spanish regulations, integrating safety from the planning phase to the completion of the project.
Its functions include:
- Completion of the REA (Accredited Companies Register) according to Subcontracting Law 32/2006
- Occupational Health and Safety Coordination during project execution.
- Preparation of Occupational Health and Safety Plans.
- Drafting of Safety and Health Studies and Basic Safety and Health Studies.
- Preventive document management.
- Coordination of Business Activities (CAE).
- Technical assistance during inspections.
- Support in the opening of the workplace.
- Continuous advice to the developer, contractors, and subcontractors.
A good consultancy not only helps to comply with regulations but also contributes to reducing risks, improving productivity, and avoiding costs derived from accidents or stoppages.
Aspects to Consider Before Hiring a Consultancy
1. Demonstrable Experience in the Construction Sector
Prevention in construction has regulations and case studies very different from other sectors.
Therefore, it is advisable to work with companies whose main activity is Occupational Health and Safety in construction projects and that have experience in different types of projects:
- Residential building
- Civil engineering
- Infrastructure
- Industry
- Renewable energy
- Logistics
- Mining
A specialized consultancy knows the specific risks of each project and can anticipate them.
2. Up-to-date Knowledge of Spanish Legislation
Spanish preventive legislation is constantly evolving.
The consultancy must master, among other provisions:
- Law 31/1995 on Occupational Risk Prevention.
- Royal Decree 1627/1997 on construction works.
- Royal Decree 171/2004 on Coordination of Business Activities.
- Legislation related to subcontracting and document management.
This ensures that all documentation and procedures are adapted to the requirements demanded by the competent authorities.
3. Comprehensive Services
Many companies contract different providers for each preventive need.
However, working with a consultancy capable of offering a comprehensive service greatly simplifies project management.
In this regard, GespreObra offers a complete service that includes:
- Health and Safety Coordination on Construction Sites
- Coordination of Business Activities (CAE)
- Occupational Risk Prevention Technicians on Site
- Technical Office for Occupational Risk Prevention (ORP) for drafting Safety and Health Plans, Safety and Health Studies, and other technical documentation
- Advisory and Document Management in Occupational Risk Prevention
- Completion of the REA (Accredited Companies Register) according to Subcontracting Law 32/2006.
Centralizing all these services reduces time, improves communication among all project stakeholders, and minimizes administrative errors.
4. Ability to Work with International Companies
More and more foreign construction companies are developing projects in Spain, and for foreign companies, the management of the REA (Accredited Companies Register) can become a particularly relevant aspect, as they must understand the administrative and preventive requirements applicable in Spain before joining a contracting or subcontracting chain.
In these cases, it is essential to have a consultancy that understands the specific needs of international companies:
- Support with the completion of the REA according to Subcontracting Law 32/2006;
- Adaptation to Spanish regulations;
- Support during initial implementation;
- Coordination with international teams;
- Document management in accordance with Spanish requirements;
- Fluid communication throughout the project.
A specialized company can become the technical interlocutor that facilitates entry into the Spanish market without administrative complications.
5. Multidisciplinary Technical Team
It is not enough to have a single technician.
The best consultancies have professionals specialized in different areas:
- Senior Technicians in Occupational Risk Prevention.
- Safety and Health Coordinators.
- Technical Architects.
- Engineers.
- Specialists in document management.
- Experts in preventive coordination.
This approach allows for offering solutions adapted to projects of any complexity.
6. Support Throughout the Entire Execution
Prevention does not end when the Safety and Health Plan is delivered.
A quality consultancy provides continuous monitoring of the project through:
- periodic visits;
- coordination meetings;
- document updates;
- incident tracking;
- improvement proposals;
- support during inspections.
This support significantly reduces operational risks and facilitates decision-making.
Warning Signs When Choosing a Consultancy
Before hiring, it is advisable to be wary of companies that:
- Only offer document preparation;
- Lack specific experience in construction;
- Do not perform project monitoring;
- Do not offer technical coordination;
- Respond slowly to incidents;
- Do not have a specialized team.
Effective prevention requires technical presence and responsiveness, not only at the beginning of the project but also throughout its entire execution.
Why Choose GespreObra?
At GespreObra, we specialize in occupational health and safety for construction projects, offering comprehensive solutions adapted to both national and international developers and construction companies.
Our methodology combines technical expertise, document management, preventive coordination, and assistance throughout all project phases, with a clear objective: to help ensure that projects are executed in accordance with current legislation and with the highest level of safety, acting as a single specialized point of contact to simplify the preventive management of any project.
Correctly choosing an occupational health and safety construction consultancy should not be based solely on cost. Experience, regulatory knowledge, technical capability, and continuous support are factors that directly impact project success, worker safety, and compliance with Spanish legislation.
If your company is going to undertake a construction project in Spain and you are looking for a technical partner with extensive experience in occupational risk prevention, at GespreObra we can help you manage all safety and health requirements from day one. Request personalized advice from our experts.
