The function of companies in society is far broader than their role as wealth generators: their main responsibility is a social and community one -as Oliver Sheldon, the philosopher of management, put it in 1924. This function has fundamental implications on the quality of jobs and is acknowledged by the employment policy of public administration: the goal is not only to create jobs, but to achieve quality jobs.

This double goal of employment policy is the objective of the Ministry of Employment of the Andalusian Autonomous Government, as written in its founding decree, which states moreover that the quality of jobs “cannot be optimally reached if work is not realized in suitable conditions of safety and health”.

There is thus an intimate relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Occupational Risk Prevention. This bond shows up in the daily prevention work, and helps companies to assume their social responsibility.

The challenge is not a plain one: it requires that all the involved agents -employers, social partners, public administration, professionals, and researchers- meet, participate and work together, in order to increase our knowledge and prevention culture through dialogue, intellectual capital and the spreading of good practices. And all this should be done while responding quickly and efficiently to a changing, technological, global and competitive environment.

Holding the 4th International Conference on Occupational Risk Prevention in Seville is a good opportunity to benefit from its educational and training potential. ORP Conferences have achieved high scientific and professional recognition at national and international levels, and this edition, devoted to “Occupational Risk Prevention and Corporate Social Responsibility”, strives to consolidate prevention activities as a key milestone for a responsible performance.

This is why the Andalusian Autonomous Government invites you to participate actively in this event, which will be warmly welcome by the city of Seville, in order that we all together go forward improving our prevention culture and occupational health and safety, while keeping up a responsible competitiveness.

Antonio Fernández García

Ministry of Employment

Andalusian Autonomous Government