Introduction: artisanal miners have developed a traditional trade with characteristic socio-cultural aspects, associated with a low socioeconomic situation, labor risk and social vulnerability. Since access to health is a fundamental human right, we seek to demonstrate the importance of considering cultural and social aspects in this population as a determinant of their health and access to health care. Objective: the aim of this study was to understand the influence of sociocultural elements on the perception of health and safety at work of people working in artisanal mining in the Atacama region, Chile. Method: a focused ethnographic qualitative study was carried out, where the social and cultural context of the subjects was explored by accessing their experiences, cultural environments and other elements that influence their behavior regarding occupational health and safety. Results: labor practices permeated by customs and traditions linked to intergenerational transfer were identified as the main influential socio-cultural elements. Precariousness in employment linked to poor working conditions constitute predominant social elements in the subjects. Conclusion: this study contributes to the knowledge of the reality of the artisanal mining population, which presents social and cultural elements that determine their health and should be considered.