Consider the risks of violence when planning new buildings or remodelling. The risks of violence can be reduced through building techniques, good planning and the correct use of the premises. Eliminate risks or use technical solutions.

Carefully plan goods reception areas, entrances, lighting, receptions, corridors and staff entrances, for example. Unauthorised persons should not be able to enter and employees should not be caught of guard when they leave the workplace. If necessary, plan for retreat routes.

Design work at a cash register so that it is safe, taking into account the risk of robbery or theft.  For example, is there good visibility through the windows of the shop from outside and is closed cash handling needed? Is it easy to get to and from the checkout from outside?

When work with a risk of violence and threats is carried out in vehicles, they must also be designed to prevent risks of violence and threats of violence.

Arrange the premises to make evacuation easier

Place fittings, furniture and equipment taking opportunities for escape into account. There should be no objects that could be used as a weapon.

Use the right alarm and make sure everyone can use it

Take the risks into account when choosing an alarm. For example, should the alarm device be fixed or portable? Is a local or central alarm needed? Should it be a silent or an audible alarm?

Make sure the alarm device is properly designed, placed and tested. Test it periodically according to agreed procedures. Ensure that there are procedures in place for how alarms should be received, who should respond to an alarm and what actions should be taken in the event of an alarm For an alarm device to be effective, everyone in the workplace must know how to use it.

How you, as an employer, organise, communicate, manage and distribute work are important factors in preventing violence and threats of violence in the workplace.

Exercise clear leadership

Management's approach to safety and safety priorities often becomes normative throughout the organisation. It influences the way the team thinks and behaves at work. It is important that management makes it clear that employees should not accept violence and threats, that management prioritises safety and that employees should follow safety procedures. Management also needs to clearly inform employees that they should prioritise their own safety, should they find themselves in a situation where there is a risk of violence or threat of violence.

Organise the work to reduce risks

Organise your work to reduce the risk of threats and violence. For example, take into account competence and experience when dividing into groups and staffing work shifts.

Avoid opening hours that pose risks

Early and late opening hours can increase the risk of robbery. For example, coordinating opening hours with surrounding shops or businesses can reduce risks.

Avoid solitary work

Work should not be performed alone if there is a significant risk that the employee will be exposed to violence or threats of violence.

Identify risks that arise with each patient, service user or resident

In the health and social care sector, employers need to investigate whether the health and personal circumstances of patients and service users may pose risks of violence and threats. Check this before you start working with new patients, service users or residents.

All employees concerned, both permanent and temporary staff, should then be informed about this The information should be in writing and easily available.

You should have specific safety procedures in place at the workplace for any work that may involve a risk of violence or threat of violence. The procedures should describe what everyone must do if violence or threats occur. You can supplement the procedures with short checklists that employees can use in their daily work.

The procedures can be about the ordinary work, such as cash register procedures, how you transport cash registers, entries and exits, how you store keys, how you hire extra staff or whether you should have a special guard at certain work steps or in certain work situations.

There should also be procedures for how you allocate tasks if violence or threats occur. Identify and document who is to do what. The victim must be able to call for and receive help quickly and be properly cared for so as to prevent or alleviate both physical and psychological damage.

Everyone in the workplace should be familiar with the procedures and know how to act. Keep the procedures up to date and regularly check that all employees who may be affected by the risks are aware of the procedures and follow them.

The procedures should cover

• important names and telephone numbers, for example for the police, medical services, occupational health services, managers and relatives
• who needs to know the workplace safety procedures
• information that safety procedures must not be disclosed outside the workplace
• information on where employees should go in a threatening or violent situation
• the employer knows when and where the employee performs tasks outside the workplace and what time the employee normally returns to the workplace.
• instruction to report violence and serious threats of violence to the Swedish Work Environment Authority, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Police.

All employees who come into contact with risky situations should have proper training in how to handle violence and threats. The training should be given to all employees, including temporary staff

A special training programme may be needed. Occupational health services can be a useful partner.

Ensure that employees receive guidance and support

In health and social care, the prison service, the police and social services, employees may be repeatedly exposed to violence and threats. This is mentally stressful and employees should receive regular support and guidance from, for example, a competent supervisor.

The opportunity to exchange experience and social support between colleagues is important in all work with a risk of violence and threats. It may be appropriate to have regular forums for this in the workplace.