Pedro Pablo Sanz (AMAT): We must continue to reduce the number of accidents and occupational illnesses

Why was AMAT established, and what are the aims of this professional organisation?

As set out in its articles of association, AMAT is a nationwide, non-profit professional organisation established to coordinate, represent, guide, manage, promote and defend the general and common interests of mutual insurance societies affiliated with the Social Security system. Our objectives also encompass representing and defending the interests of mutual insurance societies before public authorities, bodies and entities of any nature and scope, and promoting and defending the involvement of the private sector in the management of the social security system.

Consequently, this association’s remit covers the whole of the country, acting as a coordinating and intermediary body between mutual insurance societies and public authorities, with a particular focus on collaboration with the administrative bodies responsible for Labour, Employment and Social Security.

Specifically, what are its main activities?

In accordance with the resolution of 9 June 2025 issued by the State Secretariat for Social Security and Pensions, which sets out the planning of Social Security prevention activities to be carried out by mutual insurance societies as part of their activity plans for 2026, the main measures provided for include the following:

To develop technical advisory programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses in priority sectors, aimed at improving preventive management and reducing accident rates; develop advisory programmes for the adaptation of workstations and the redeployment of workers who have suffered accidents or have work-related health conditions; host information sessions for small businesses and self-employed workers on the Social Security service ‘Prevención10.es’.

Then, to develop measures aimed at controlling and reducing workplace accidents and occupational illnesses in the sectors with the highest accident rates; to promote research, development and innovation activities to reduce occupational risks, including the development and dissemination of best practice in areas like musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial risks, new technologies, road safety in the workplace, vulnerable workers and the fostering of a culture of prevention; and incorporate into preventative measures the lines of action set out in the Spanish Strategy for Health and Safety at Work 2023–2027, particularly those aimed at improving health and safety in small businesses and among self-employed workers.

What challenges do mutual insurance societies face?

According to the aforementioned resolution of the State Secretariat for Social Security and Pensions, the main challenges facing mutual insurance societies in the field of occupational health and safety centre on continuing to reduce workplace accidents and occupational illnesses, particularly in small businesses, among the self-employed, and in those sectors and activities with the highest accident rates.

Similarly, the aforementioned plan for 2026 places particular emphasis on analysing the causes of workplace accidents and occupational illnesses in the sectors and activities identified as priorities, as well as on carrying out research into areas such as musculoskeletal disorders, hazardous substances, psychosocial risks, emerging risks, road safety in the workplace, vulnerable workers, the fostering of a culture of prevention, exposure to asbestos and work-related cancer.

What role does dialogue between the various stakeholders play in improving the sector’s development?

AMAT believes that dialogue between mutual insurance societies, companies, social partners, occupational health and safety services and public authorities is essential for making progress in improving health and safety at work, and is vital for identifying needs and developing effective preventive measures.

In view of the above, this association believes that public-private partnerships play a fundamental role, as the experience and expertise contributed by mutual insurance societies, companies and occupational health and safety services, combined with the regulatory capacity of public authorities, make it possible to develop more effective initiatives to reduce workplace accidents and adapt health and safety measures to the new challenges arising from technological, organisational and social changes.

It is also advisable to continue strengthening public-private partnerships through the initiatives carried out by mutual insurance societies within the framework of the aforementioned annual resolution on the planning of preventive activities, particularly in small businesses and in sectors with the highest accident rates, with a view to analysing the causes of workplace accidents and occupational illnesses and improving preventive management.

What impact does the work of mutual insurance societies have on the prevention of workplace risks?

It is worth noting that, in the field of occupational risk prevention (ORP) and occupational health and safety, despite having limited resources, mutual insurance societies continue to carry out ORP initiatives funded by social security contributions, aimed at controlling and reducing workplace accidents and occupational illnesses, not to mention the advisory services they provide to their members and to the self-employed workers they cover, promoting workplace adaptations and the return to work of workers who have suffered accidents or are affected by work-related illnesses.

Largely thanks to the work carried out by mutual insurance societies and companies in the field of occupational health and safety, over the last 25 years the average monthly accident per 1,000 protected workers has fallen significantly, down more than 210 per cent for work-related accidents resulting in leave and 140 per cent for occupational illnesses.