Welcome to the University's Basic Training on Threats and violence in the workplace

The goal of the course is for the participant to gain basic knowledge of how conflicts can arise, develop, and be handled. The course also aims to increase awareness of stress and stress reactions in an emergency situation as well as to give concrete advice on actions before, during, and after an incident.

The course consists of eight different sections, some short and some slightly longer. The first sections are more comprehensive and theoretical, while the latter are more practically oriented. The course takes about 1 hour to complete.

Course overview

Threats and violence in the workplace
Introduction to threats and violence
Stress in emergency situation
Conflict knowledge
Risks of threats and violence in the work environment
Before (something happens)
During (if a serious incident arises)
After (a serious incident)

Introduction

Carrying out preventive work in the workplace reduces the risk of someone being exposed to threats and violence. By being aware of what can be done in a threatening or violent situation, the harmful effect of such an event can be reduced. In some cases, awareness can even have a preventive effect.

With basic knowledge of:

conflicts
how you yourself can reduce and prevent risks of threats and violence
safety procedures at one’s workplace
preparations for handling the aftermath of a crisis

there are good conditions for dealing with an incident involving threats or violence, should one occur.

The goal of the personal safety management

The goal of the personal safety management at Uppsala University is to prevent and minimize the risks of threats, violence or injuries, as well as to support affected employees and students. You contribute to the goal of personal safety work by participating in this training.

The employer's responsibility for systematic work environment management

The rules that apply to our work environment are described in the Work Environment Act. The purpose of the Work Environment Act is to prevent ill health and accidents at work.

According to the Work Environment Act, the employer is responsible for:

Investigating risks
Preventing risks
Providing training and information
Offering support and guidance as needed
Designing the workplace with a safety perspective
Providing alarm equipment if necessary
Ensuring that solitary work can take place in a safe way

The employee's responsibility for a good and safe work environment

The employee also has obligations in this area:

Each employee must actively work for increased safety, such as pointing out deficiencies to the immediate manager. If there is a risk of threats and violence, it must be reported.
Everyone - employees, students, visitors and partners - must follow the security guidelines and instructions at Uppsala university.
The employee is responsible for using the necessary protective devices and for observing the necessary precautions to avoid and prevent threats and violence.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulation on violence and threats in the work environment

The Swedish Work Environment Agency's regulations clarify the rules found in the Work Environment Act. A regulation that clarifies threats and violence in the work environment is AFS 1993:2. It describes what applies to the design of workplaces, training, support and supervision, solitary work, and transport of valuables. There are also suggestions for safety routines and risk reducing measures. You can find more information at www.av.se.

Distribution of responsibilities regarding security management at Uppsala University

The guideline for security and safety work at Uppsala University, UFV 2009/1929, forms the basis for active safety management at your workplace. The guideline states, among other things:

The Vice-Chancellor has the overall responsibility for the security at Uppsala University.
The Chief Security Officer coordinates the university's security work and has a supportive and advisory role to heads of department/equivalent.
At each department/equivalent, the head of department/equivalent is responsible for security.
The campus managements support heads of department/equivalent and is responsible for coordinating the security work within the respective campus area.