In our February 2025 piece about housekeepers, we explained the basic obligations of household employers: registering staff with Social Security, providing a written contract, respecting working hours, paying the correct salary, and ensuring a safe working environment. One key duty, the workplace risk assessment, became fully mandatory on the 14th of November 2025.
The obligation itself has not changed. On the day it came into force, the official online tool, Prevencion10.es, briefly malfunctioned. The problem was short-lived, and the platform now works normally, allowing households to complete the required assessments without difficulty.
Safe working conditions: what domestic staff need
Domestic work covers a wide range of tasks, from cleaning and ironing to handling chemicals, assisting elderly or disabled household members, cooking, and maintaining household equipment. Employers are legally responsible for providing all the tools, equipment, and protections needed for these tasks.
Housekeepers should have properly functioning cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, mops, and brushes. High shelves must be accessed safely using stable step stools rather than unstable furniture. Kitchen appliances must be well-maintained, and chemicals should be clearly labelled and stored safely, with instructions for proper use. When care duties are included, households must provide secure mobility aids, safe cribs or beds, and explain their correct use. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves or aprons, must also be supplied when appropriate.
Spanish courts have repeatedly confirmed that employers bear responsibility for these conditions. In a Valencia case, a housekeeper fell from an old ladder provided for routine cleaning. The judge ruled in her favour, emphasising that it was the employer’s obligation to provide safe equipment and that the worker was not required to request it.
Employer obligations
Employers have a clear set of responsibilities under Spanish law:
- Register domestic staff with Social Security before employment begins and ensure contributions are paid on time.
- Provide a written employment contract specifying duties, working hours, and salary. The salary must comply with the law and cannot be less than the official minimum wage (SMI).
- Ensure a safe working environment by supplying proper tools, protective equipment, and clear instructions for all tasks.
- Conduct a formal risk assessment using Prevencion10.es and implement any recommended preventive measures, however minor they may seem, such as replacing worn extension cords or supplying gloves for chemical handling.
- Maintain records of employment, risk assessments, and safety measures to demonstrate compliance with the law.
By meeting these obligations, employers not only comply with legal requirements but also protect the safety, health, and dignity of domestic staff, creating a fair and secure working environment.
