The division of responsibility depends on the type of work being carried out and who has control over the site. Clear coordination and communication are crucial in determining who is accountable for specific health and safety measures.

Employer responsibilities

As an employer, you are responsible for identifying and managing the risks associated with rock and mining work – just as you are responsible for all aspects of the working environment. You must be familiar with the Swedish Work Environment Act and all relevant health and safety regulations.

You are also responsible for ensuring that workers have the necessary competence and training, as well as the information they need to carry out their tasks safely. For example, employees working underground must be given opportunities to practice evacuation and rescue procedures in the event of rockfall or underground fire.

Client, Bas-P and Bas-U – when work is part of a construction project

If rock or mining operations form a part of a construction or civil engineering project, the client and the building work environment coordinators (Bas-P and Bas-U) also carry health and safety responsibilities. They must ensure that the work within the project is planned and carried out safely.

Detailed responsibilities are outlined in the Swedish Work Environment Authority's Statute Book, particularly:

• The Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines (AFS 2023:3) on design and building work environment coordination – basic obligations
• The Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines (AFS 2023:13) on risks with certain types of work, chapter 5 construction work.

Coordinate health and safety at shared worksites

When two or more employers or self-employed individuals are operating simultaneously at the same worksite, they must cooperate and coordinate their health and safety efforts. In a mine or quarry, the employer in control of the site is responsible for coordinating safety measures and ensuring that no one working there is exposed to health or safety risks.

Prepare a coordination plan

As the coordinator, you must prepare a special document that describes how the coordination will take place. The document may include information, such as:

• local safety regulations
• traffic rules
• fire alarm and evacuation routes
• fire safety measures
• other safety aspects specific to the worksite.

Feel free to include any information that is relevant to keeping the workplace safe. The document can provide employees with more information on what is happening in the shared workplace and how to behave in order to work safely.

If you, as coordinator, do not have a specific health and safety coordination document, you may have to pay a sanction fee.