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| 2. |
- Bruhn, Anders, 1953-
(författare)
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Occupational unity or diversity in a changing work context? : The case of Swedish labour inspectors
- 2009
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 7:2, s. 31-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper discusses the development of occupational culture, identity and practice among Swedish inspectors, focusing on their collective occupational knowledge - their 'professional representations'. Working conditions and state policy and regulation for occupational safety and health have gone through several important changes in recent decades. These changes have forced the Swedish inspection authority to develop its organisation and adapt its aims, strategies and methods of inspection work to the new situation. As a consequence of several far-reaching organisational changes in a rather short time, a cultural gap has developed among inspectors: between a male-dominated group of experienced technicians and a female-dominated group of newly recruited academics (often with qualifications in the behavioural sciences). On the basis of a re-reading of data from three research and evaluation projects about inspection and the inspectorate, I describe important differences in representations between these two groups and discuss how, and under what circumstances, they may be able to develop towards occupational unity and uniformity in inspection practice.
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| 3. |
- Bruhn, Anders
(författare)
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The inspector's dilemma under regulated self-regulation
- 2006
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 4:2, s. 3-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Regulated self-regulation (RSR) as the main strategy for regulation in the occupational health and security (OHS) field, and the expansion of the work environment concept to include work organisation and psychosocial health, requires that the inspection authority revaluate old methods of inspection work and develop new ones. Of vital importance here is the question of the so called inspector’s dilemma between control and educative methods in inspections. This dilemma is “classic” in state regulation. It rests upon two different principles for state activity: the legality and the service principles. Reflecting on it is necessary when developing tactics in a given situation. In this article I elaborate on the general logical and practical consequences that, first and foremost, the RSR-strategy has, or rather should have, on inspectors’ work and the alternative roles that comprise the dilemma. My main conclusions are that the dilemma in state inspection is permanent and can only be handled on a situational basis. However, because of the growing complexity and differentiation in working life, and because of the change of strategy and new tasks for the inspectorate, both the content of, and the balance between, the roles of the dilemma have to change. All in all this change calls for a stronger emphasis on the role of educator. At the same time the role-content has to change from traditional methods of direct control and advice/persuasion to negotiation, guiding and tutoring. However, to work with inspections in the OHS field today is to work with mixed strategies. Even if RSR is stated as the main strategy, the traditional command and control strategy still lives side-by-side with it in legislation. Methods based on this rationale sometimes have to be given priority. All in all, the fulfilment of the new tasks demands the development of professional competence and a higher degree of discretion for individual inspectors. To an even greater extent than before they have to be flexible in unique situations and develop proper tactics adjusted to local conditions.
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| 4. |
- Frick, Kaj
(författare)
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The 50/50 implementation of Sweden’s mandatory systematic work environment management
- 2014
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 12:2, s. 23-46
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents unique data on how occupational safety and health management, which is internationally mandatory, is implemented in practice in Sweden. The results are based on a research review of some 270 (mainly case) studies of how Swedish employers manage risks at work and thereby how they implement the provisions of systematic work environment management. The requirements of systematic work environment management are structured on three levels: procedures (what should be done), empowering actors (how to do it) and management control (doing the right thing). Implementation in practice is found to be best at the first level. Failure to ensure that there are capable actors (the second level) is widespread, and effective management control (the third level), such that systematic work environment management is effective against all risks at work, is rare. In practice, more systematic procedures have improved the prevention of technical risks, while poor management control has made it hard to tackle the widespread organisational risks of stress and musculoskeletal disorders. Finally, the paper discusses how the background of Sweden’s labour market and work environment system may at least partly explain this half-empty/half-full implementation of systematic work environment management reform.
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| 5. |
- Gyllencreutz, Lina, et al.
(författare)
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The experience of healthcare staff of incident reporting with respect to venous blood specimen collection practices’
- 2019
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 17:2, s. 146-155
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Venous blood specimen collection is an important practical task that results in an analysis response that often leads to a clinical decision. Errors due to inaccurate venous blood specimen collection are frequently reported and can jeopardize patient safety because inaccurate specimens may result in a delayed or incorrect diagnosis and treatment. However, few healthcare personnel have written an error report regarding venous blood specimen collection practices. The aim of this study is to describe the experiences of healthcare personnel with incident reporting of venous blood specimen collection practices in primary health care. Our study is based on 30 individual interviews with healthcare personnel from 10 primary health care centres. Data were analysed using qualitative content analyses. Personnel experiences of incident reporting were summarized in three categories; Uncertainties in the planning and organization, High workload and low priority and, A need for support and guidance. More specifically, barriers hinder personnel in reporting mistakes. An interpretation based on the results is that surrounding circumstances within the organization influence whether personnel report mistakes or not. The result indicates a need for parallel systems, to identify and report errors or near-misses to prevent mistakes. Processed incidents should be returned promptly to the personnel to use as a learning experience. Having a valid questionnaire and a key person to write an incident report, might reduce the burden on the health care staff and increase the numbers of incident reports and patient safety.
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| 6. |
- Lindberg, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating the effectiveness of an investigation board for workplace accidents
- 2006
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 4:1, s. 63-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This paper examines the activities of the Swedish Work Environment Authority's Accident Investigation Board. It first gives an outline of the board's role and a summary of the previous literature on accident investigation. It then proposes an investigation methodology, the CHAIN model, which forms the theoretical point of departure of the paper. It describes the methods used in the empirical study, and examines the board's investigation criteria and how these were implemented. A summary of the effects of the board's reports on affected companies is presented, along with a survey of SWEA inspectors and interviews with workplace inspectors and others who have an interest in workplace accident investigation. Finally, the study's results are compared to the CHAIN model, with the conclusions that: • the board has been successful in establishing a high qualitative standard for investigating workplace accidents • the investigation process should be speeded up if the board's reports are to realise their full potential • dissemination of the reports must be improved, and a follow-up system is needed.
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| 7. |
- Lindblom, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating workplace inspections
- 2004
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; :2, s. 77-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper introduces a theoretical framework for the evaluation of workplace inspections with respect to their effects on working conditions. The choice of a concept of efficiency is discussed, and its relation to criteria for a good working environment is clarified. It concludes that in order to obtain reliable information on the effects of different inspection methods, it is necessary to perform controlled comparative studies in which different methods are used in different workplaces. Given the ease with which such studies can be performed, it is surprising how few have been made. The studies that are available provide sufficient evidence that inspections can increase compliance with regulations and that they can also increase workplace safety, but not much can be concluded about the relative efficiency of different inspection methods.
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| 8. |
- Lindblom, Lars, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating Workplace Inspections
- 2004
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 2:2, s. 77-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A theoretical framework is introduced for the evaluation of workplace inspections with respect to their effects on working conditions. The choice of a concept of efficiency is discussed, and its relation to criteria for a good working environment is clarified. It is concluded that in order to obtain reliable information on the effects of different inspection methods, it is necessary to perform controlled comparative studies in which different methods are used on different workplaces. Given the facility with which such studies can be performed, it is surprising how few such studies have been made. The studies that are available provide sufficient evidence that inspections can increase compliance with regulations and that they can also increase workplace safety, but not much can be concluded about the relative efficiency of different inspection methods.
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| 9. |
- Schenk, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Covert chemicals, tangible trust : Risk management of chemicals in the workplace
- 2014
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 12:1, s. 91-106
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Sweden, as in other industrialised nations, occupational exposure limits are considered to be an important tool for chemical risk management, although many other factors also play a role in occupational safety and health management. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of occupational exposure limits in relation to information about, and the risk perception of, chemicals. An interview study was performed at four Swedish process industry workplaces in order to investigate these issues. For each workplace, the range of informants covered at least one person who spent most of their working time in the production process; one person in a managerial position; one person in the site health, safety and environment department; the main safety ombudsman; and the site manager. The results show that informants' understanding of occupational exposure limits and their use is quite poor, although they do understand that there is epistemic uncertainty in determining the toxicological effects of hazardous substances. The risk perception and safety behaviour of the informants were not affected by the occupational exposure limits, nor did occupational exposure limits have any role as sources of information. Nevertheless, almost all the informants expressed the view that occupational exposure limits are trusted and needed; safety engineers and main safety ombudsmen, generally, also added that occupational exposure limits are useful. What was found to be most important factor for the informants' perception of risk and safety was trust in specific people, often established through long-term relationships.
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| 10. |
- Woolfson, Charles, et al.
(författare)
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Historical and contemporary challenges to occupational safety and health in Latvia
- 2014
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Ingår i: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. - : Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. - 1477-3996 .- 1477-4003. ; 12:2, s. 47-65
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper addresses the historical and contemporary challenges created for occupational safety and health in the EU member state of Latvia, which joined the European Union in 20It examines the historical background for the determinants of workplace health and safety in Latvia as a former Soviet republic, and thereafter, following independence from the USSR in 1991, as an open-market neoliberal economy. These divergent contexts have set a problematic trajectory of reactive path dependency with respect to the regulation of occupational safety and health.With the onset of the economic and financial crisis of 2008 onwards, Latvia suffered a particularly sharp economic downturn. We suggest that previous limited advances made in the management of occupational safety and health at the workplace level since accession to the European Union may have been undermined. Ever since the crisis, business and policy actors have sought to promote rapid economic recovery as the overall priority, at the expense of protective occupational safety and health regulation. This approach was brought into sharp relief with the collapse of the Maxima supermarket roof in Riga in November 2013, resulting in 54 fatalities. The event has raised debates on the enforcement of safety regulation in the new era of neoliberal austerity to a greater level of public salience, although with, as yet, uncertain policy outcomes.
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