In SwedishRisk assessment theme for work environment week
– It is not unreasonable to strive for a zero vision of injuries and accidents in working life. Nobody should need to risk life and health when they go to work.
Sven Otto Littorin, Labour Market Minister
These were the words of the Labour Market Minister, Sven Otto Littorin, when he spoke at the annual work environment parliament held at Nalen in Stockholm in conjunction with the European work environment week at the end of October. The theme for the year was risk assessment, one of the fundamental elements of systematic work environment management. Sven Otto Littorin warned that too much of an increase in the pace of work can lead to more illness.
– As an employer, it is easy to believe that efficiency increases if the pace of work is raised. But in many cases this is an error of judgement that can cost far more than people believe, he said.
Activities are being carried out on the same theme all around Europe during the European work environment week. In Sweden the work environment parliament is a traditional event in conjunction with this week, and the conference is arranged by the Work Environment Authority.
Particular attention was paid to the increasing number of fatal accidents in recent years at workplaces around the country. However, the Labour Market Minister did not want to admit in this context that he regretted the government’s drastic cutbacks at the Work Environment Authority or closing down the Institute of Working Life.
– When something does not work satisfactorily you have to get rid of it. Then you must consider what to have instead, but the Work Environment Authority is doing an extremely good and important job.
Invest in quality marking
The minister said he wished to invest in the future. A council of parties with researchers in the area of the work environment will be appointed and together with politicians and other players will find solutions for decreasing the number of accidents and injuries in working life. He only had one concrete proposal for improving the work environment on this day, and that was to introduce quality marking. He has taken the idea from Denmark, where good workplaces are given a smiley as a proof of their good work environment.
– One possible development is introducing lists on the Work Environment Authority website where people can see which companies act responsibly. I don’t believe in only repressive measures for those that make mistakes, but also giving benefits to those that act correctly.
Shipping companies could also be included on such a list. But Sven Otto Littorin does not have any particular insights about work conditions onboard.
– Shipping is an exciting industry, but unfortunately I do not have any detailed knowledge of work environment on ships.
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