Survey of the working environment

A fundamental part of preventive work environment management is investigating working conditions in the workplace to identify possible risks of ill health or accidents. Examination of the physical, social, and organisational work environment needs to be done regularly and must be done in cooperation with employees and safety representatives. Different survey methods provide different perspectives on working conditions. Using several different methods increases the opportunity of getting a comprehensive picture of the work environment.

Safety inspections

A safety inspection is a standard method of examining the physical work environment. Employees and safety representatives walk the workplace together, observing machines, lighting, noise, ventilation, etc. Safety inspections aim to discover what risks may exist in a workplace so preventive measures can be put in place. Safety inspections are carried out every year at the university. The risk assessment carried out during the safety inspection must always be documented. Note what needs to be fixed, assess the significance of risk for staff, and develop an action plan for improvements. The action plan states What should be improved, When it should be done, and Who is responsible. Afterwards, measures are to be assessed to see if they have worked. Follow-up takes place in various forums at the schools. Under the "document" tab on the page, there is a laboratory safety round document that can be used on safety rounds as well as on other surveys of the physical working environment. 

Targeted safety inspections

Targeted safety inspections can address a particular theme, such as threats, violence, or ergonomics. The workplace must have procedures that describe when, how and by whom investigations are to be conducted. Procedures are to be developed by line managers in consultation with employees and safety representatives.

Staff meetings

The work environment should be on the agenda at staff meetings, partly as a point of information about safety inspections and incidents but also as an opportunity for employees to raise work environment-related problems and issues.

Performance appraisals/employee surveys

Through performance appraisals or employee surveys, the employer can gain insight into an employee’s experiences of the physical and mental work environment. Employee surveys are conducted every three years at the university.

Measurement tools

Measurements are sometimes conducted to assess risks. These measurements may concern environmental noise, lighting, air pollution or vibration.

Medical check-ups

Medical check-ups are sometimes required, for example, when working with asbestos or thermosetting polymers or late-night work schedules.

Reporting incidents and occupational injuries

Investigating incidents, occupational injuries and sick leave is a method for identifying shortcomings in the work environment.