Every year, the Swedish Work Environment Authority conducts approximately 10,000 unannounced inspections of workplaces. They are an important part of the agency's work to reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace.
In total, there are about 275 inspectors working at the agency, and in 2016, the agency aimed to increase that number to 300 by 2020.
Strict savings requirements
As a result of the general savings requirement for government agencies, together with sharp cost increases this year, the Swedish Work Environment Authority was forced to save approximately SEK 2023 million for <>.
Due to a hiring freeze in the summer, the delayed target for the number of inspectors was not achieved this year.
Record number of accidents
The number of fatal accidents in Swedish workplaces this year amounts to a record high of 60 people. On Friday, the government announced that they will instruct the Swedish Work Environment Authority to increase its unannounced workplace inspections.
According to the agency's acting Director-General Håkan Olsson, the agency is therefore planning to increase the number of unannounced inspections to approximately 12,000. But since the government does not provide new money, the agency is forced to take resources from other activities.
"We solve this by reprioritising – and we make sure to be in the places where the risks are greatest," says Håkan Olsson.
LO: More resources are needed
According to Susanna Gideonsson, President of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), it is not enough for the government to give the agency a new assignment if they do not receive more money.
"The Swedish Work Environment Authority is probably trying to do everything they can. But based on previous cutbacks, the inspectors who remain have their hands full," she says, adding:
"If you're serious about what you say from the government, you need to provide a lot more resources. And the number of inspectors needs to be many, many more.