Use of work equipment

The regulations on work equipment cover all equipment used in the work. This includes everything from simple manual equipment, computers and hand tools to forklift trucks, lifting devices, screens, scaffolding, machine lines and vehicles. Both old and new equipment is included.

Work equipment refers to all machinery, devices, tools, equipment and installations that are used in the work.

Risks with work equipment

The most common risks in the use of work equipment include, among others

  • loss of control of equipment
  • falling from heights
  • falling from ladders
  • falling objects
  • material failure
  • lack of safety devices
  • high temperature
  • vibration
  • saw injuries
  • crushing
  • contact with moving machine parts
  • vehicle collision
  • ergonomic risks
  • emission of dangerous substances
  • fire risk
  • electrical risks

Preventing and managing risks

As an employer, you must regularly examine the working conditions and assess the risk that someone may suffer ill health or an accident at work. The risk assessment must be documented in writing.

The risk assessment must form the basis for the measures taken. You must also inform employees about any remaining risks.

Personal protective equipment must be used in cases where the risks so require.

  • The degree of detail in the written risk assessment will vary. This depends on the complexity of the work equipment and the risks that are associated with its use. For simple and uncomplicated work equipment, the risk assessment may form part of a work process' overall risk assessment.

    But it may be necessary to make specific assessments if it is intended that the work equipment be used by minors or in teaching in schools. In such cases, you must consider a number of aspects, such as young employees' previous knowledge, experience and risk awareness, as well as the need for guidance when the work is performed.

  • Choose work equipment that is appropriate for the work. In the equipment's user manual, you will find the manufacturer's description of  the intended use and how you can work safely with the equipment.

  • Employees must know how to work with the equipment safely. Therefore, ensure that there are instructions for safe working methods. Also, regularly check, by means of safety inspections for example, that employees are following the instructions and that the safety system is not circumvented.

    If it is difficult to perform the work without circumventing instructions and the safety system, as an employer you will probably need to take technical or organisational measures to ensure that the work can be performed safely. In such cases, have a dialogue with all those involved and investigate together why it is difficult to follow the instructions and how problems can be remedied.

  • As an employer, you must ensure that employees have the training that is needed and sufficient skills to be able to avoid the risks in the work. You must inform those who use the work equipment about the requirements for using it and the risks involved.

    It is important that knowledge about the work equipment and its use includes aspects that are important for health and safety, such as

    • design
    • operation
    • handling
    • properties
    • area of use
    • restrictions for the equipment
    • maintenance and inspection

    The manufacturer's instructions may contain information about the requirements that should be set for skills and training.

    In some areas there are defined levels for theoretical and practical knowledge. This may apply, for example, to agreements in cooperation between contracting parties, guidelines from industry organisations, accepted course plans according to industry practice, Swedish standards or specified requirements for knowledge and training in special regulations.

  • You must have procedures for the maintenance and inspection of work equipment, so as to maintain high standards of safety. The procedures could describe, for example

    • when maintenance and inspections should be performed
    • how this should be done
    • how often
    • who should perform the work
    • how ordinary work is to be performed while maintenance is ongoing

    In some cases it is not possible to decide whether a safety device or safety component is working as it should. It is then important that regular inspections of the function of these is performed, so that the operator does not get a false sense of security.

    It is often the case that a piece of work equipment is installed, fitted or inspected by someone other than its intended user. Then it is important that the users have access to relevant documentation from inspections and also assess the result themselves. There must also be a certificate of when the most recent inspection of work equipment was performed.

Work equipment with particular risks

Particular risks refer to risks that can lead to serious accidents or serious ill health if the work equipment is not handled with great knowledge and good judgement.

Examples of work equipment with particular risks include

  • circular and chain saws
  • machine planers
  • presses
  • bolt and nail guns
  • lifting devices
  • vehicles

Large hand-held disc cutters

A machine category included here is slightly larger hand-held cutting machines intended to cut, for example, stone and metal, disk cutters. This type of machine has been shown to produce unexpected throw backs for the user, resulting in serious accidents. This type of machine therefore requires extensive knowledge of the risks and familiarity with use.

Take the user into consideration when assessing particular risks

When you decide whether a piece of equipment involves particular risks, you must assess the user's experience. An example is equipment for slicing meat products in shops. If this equipment is used by students working summer jobs, for example, then it is judged to have particular risks.

Another example is a standard hand-held sheath knife intended for woodworking. If the knife is to be used by a carpenter, then it is obviously not judged to involve particular risks. On the other hand, if the knife is to be used by younger school pupils, then it should be judged to involve particular risks.

Requirements for documented knowledge

In the case of work equipment with particular risks, you as an employer must have documentation of the employee's practical and theoretical knowledge with regard to the safe use of the equipment.

Get a better work environment through working systematically

As an employer, you must manage the work environment systematically, so as to improve it. Our provisions for systematic work environment management apply to all employers – regardless of the activities or the risks that you and your employees could be exposed to.

The employer is responsible for the risks involved with work equipment

As an employer, you are responsible for reducing the risks of work equipment in the workplace, just as you are responsible for all aspects of the work environment. You must be familiar with the Work Environment Act and other work environment regulations.

You are also responsible for work equipment that you provide to staff from other companies, such as suppliers or contractors.

If you are one of several employers operating at the same location, you must ensure that you do not expose other employees to risks from your organisation's equipment.

Employees and protection agents are important for a good work environment

Employees and protection agents have an important role in work environment management. As an employer, you must give all employees the opportunity to participate in work environment management. For example, you can let employees suggest measures or provide feedback on measures you have implemented.

Employees' participation in work environment management

As an employee, you must participate in work environment management and participate in implementing the measures needed to achieve a good work environment. You must follow the employer's instructions. You must also report to your employer or your safety representative if the work involves immediate and serious danger to life or health.

Defined regulations for certain work equipment

There are also defined regulations for

  • forklift trucks
  • tractors
  • lifting devices
  • screens
  • chain saws and clearing saws
  • ladders and work trestles
  • scaffolding
  • pressurised devices
  • presses and guillotine shears
  • personal protective equipment

The more precise requirements for these work equipment types apply together with the general requirements for work equipment.

Last updated 2025-03-04