On September 10, 2024, Royal Decree 893/2024 was approved, which introduces important new developments in health and safety protection for workers in the family home and home help sector. Below, we analyze the highlights of this regulation and how it will affect employers and workers.
1. Evaluation of occupational risks and preventive measures
The Royal Decree establishes that employers must carry out an initial assessment of the occupational risks to which domestic workers are exposed. This assessment must be reviewed periodically, especially if working conditions change or if new risks are detected. Based on this assessment, employers must adopt the necessary preventive measures and document them in writing, providing a copy to the worker.
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and appropriate work equipment.
To ensure safety in the home, the employer must provide adequate work equipment and, when necessary, PPE such as gloves or safety footwear. The regulations state that this equipment must be provided free of charge and must be replaced in case of wear and tear.
3. Protection from violence and harassment
One of the most important new features of the decree is the explicit recognition of the right of domestic workers to be protected against any form of violence, sexual harassment or harassment based on sex, ethnic origin or any other circumstance. In addition, if the worker decides to leave the home due to a situation of violence or harassment, this will not be considered a resignation and will not be a cause for dismissal.
4. Home help services: Additional obligations
In the case of workers who provide home help services, companies are required to carry out a risk assessment by means of on-site visits to each of the homes where the services are provided. In addition, they must implement the necessary preventive measures, such as the use of mechanical means to avoid injuries caused by handling loads or the improvement of breaks between services.
5. Free medical examinations
Another relevant measure is the inclusion of domestic workers in periodic medical check-ups by the National Health System, ensuring that these controls are carried out at least every three years.
Conclusion
Royal Decree 893/2024 marks an important milestone in the regulation of work in the family home, granting more rights and ensuring greater protection for workers. In AYCE Consulting, we are committed to keep you informed about the latest legislative developments and to advise you on compliance with these obligations.
If you have any questions or need advice on how to implement these new regulations in your home or business, do not hesitate to contact us.
Related links:
-Contact for personalized advice: Carla Burillo
This approach ensures that LinkedIn users receive an overview with a call to action to read more on the blog, while the blog post provides a more in-depth analysis with useful information for those looking to implement the new regulations.
