APV: workplace assessment as a shared occupational health and safety tool
The requirements of the law, the four phases and how employees are involved
A workplace assessment — in everyday speech APV — is the systematic review of the working environment at a workplace. It is not a piece of paper made for the authorities and put in a drawer, but a living tool to find the things that cause strain and do something about them before they lead to injury, wear or sick leave.
§A legal requirement — and a shared responsibility
According to the Working Environment Act, every employer with employees has a duty to ensure that a written APA (risk assessment) is prepared. It is the employer's responsibility, but it is not a task management can solve alone from a desk. The law requires that employees — typically through the working environment organization and the working environment representative — are involved in the entire process. It is they who know the daily work routines and know where it really hurts.
§The Four Phases of a Risk Assessment
An APV is carried out in a fixed sequence of four phases. Together, they ensure that you not only find the problems, but also prioritise them and actually follow up.
| Phase. | What's happening |
|---|---|
| 1. Uncovering and risk assessment | The work environment is mapped in all parts of the company — physical ergonomic mental and chemical — and each problem is described and risk-assessed (how serious and extensive it is) |
| 2. Inclusion of sick leave | You assess whether the company's sickness absence is related to the working environment, so it can be taken into account in the work |
| 3. Prioritisation and action plan | Problems are prioritized and a concrete, written action plan is made: what is done, by whom and when |
| 4. Implementation and follow-up | The action plan is implemented, and you determine how and when to follow up on whether the actions work |
Both the physical and psychological work environment
A common mistake is only to think about the physical: heavy lifting, noise, chemicals and machines. But the APV must also cover the psychological work environment — for example, work volume and time pressure, influence on own work, cooperation and the risk of harassment. Psychological stresses are often less visible, but can be just as serious.
§How you work systematically to find and eliminate errors
- 01Be honest when the working environment is mapped — it's not a complaint, but necessary knowledge
- 02Point out the concrete situations where something is burdensome or dangerous
- 03Suggest solutions; you often know the practical way best
- 04Follow the agreed actions and tell if they don't work
- 05Use your work environment representative — it is one of the main tasks in the role
“The one who does the work sees the dangers no report captures.”
— Occupational health and safety saying
§From paper to practice
An APV is only worth doing if it leads to action. Therefore, the most important step is the action plan and follow-up: that the agreed solutions are actually implemented, and that you then check whether they worked. A workplace that takes its APV seriously not only gets fewer accidents and less sick leave — it also signals to employees that their health and wellbeing matter.