1.1 The regulatory framework – from legislation to practical application

Several rules may apply at the same time

There is no single regulation covering every aspect of work involving fall risks.

The Swedish Work Environment Act establishes the fundamental requirements for the working environment and requires employers to prevent ill health and accidents.

The provisions issued by the Swedish Work Environment Authority, AFS, contain more specific requirements concerning areas such as:

• systematic work environment management,
• planning and organisation,
• fall risks,
• personal protective equipment,
• workplace design,
• construction and civil engineering work,
• mast and pole work,
• medical examinations.

Several sets of provisions may therefore apply to the same task.

From regulation to actual work

A simple way of understanding the framework is:

The Swedish Work Environment Act sets out the fundamental obligations.

Swedish Work Environment Authority provisions – AFS specify requirements for particular risks, workplaces and types of work.

Manufacturer's instructions define how the actual product may be used.

EN standards define technical requirements, testing and, in many cases, the function and classification of products and systems.

A standard or a CE-marked product therefore does not replace the risk assessment for the work being performed.

Nor is it sufficient to select a product simply because it belongs to the correct product category. It must also be suitable for the way it needs to be used in the actual task.

Remember

The regulations define the requirements. The risk assessment determines what the work requires. The manufacturer's instructions define how the actual product may be used.

Sources

• Swedish Work Environment Act (1977:1160), particularly Chapter 3, Sections 2 and 2a
• AFS 2023:1 – Systematic work environment management