Abstract
This paper was written partially on the basis of an occupational health clinical study in Spain conducted by the authors in September 1982. The information discussed in this paper was obtained through site visits to factories and their medical services departments, to hospitals contracted by the social security system, and to a university school of nursing. In addition, we had the opportunity to observe contruction and agricultural workers. Our observations during the visit were limited to sites in central and southern Spain.
A review of the literature provided background information on the Spanish labor force, work and living conditions of Spanish workers, political events influencing industrial relations and economic development, and some case examples of epidemiological studies in occupational health.