Skyddsåtgärd

Skyddsåtgärd (protective measure) is a term used in Swedish safety and risk management to denote any action, device, or procedure designed to reduce the likelihood of harm or diminish the severity of its consequences for people, property, or the environment. Protective measures can be preventive, mitigative, or defensive, and they may be physical, procedural, or informational.

Common categories include engineering controls (such as machine guarding, ventilation, or safety interlocks), administrative controls (work procedures, safe operating procedures, training, supervision, and shift organization), and personal protective equipment (gloves, helmets, respiratory protection). Security-related measures (access control, surveillance) and emergency preparedness measures (alarms, evacuation plans, incident response) also fall under this concept. Environmental protection measures, such as containment, spill response, and proper waste management, can likewise be described as protective measures.

Implementation typically follows hazard identification and risk assessment. Based on identified risks, organizations select and implement appropriate protective measures, provide training, and establish procedures to ensure proper use and maintenance. Effectiveness is monitored through audits, incident reporting, and regular reviews, with adjustments made as necessary to address changing conditions or new hazards.

In practice, protective measures are a core element of safety management systems in workplaces, healthcare, construction, industry, and public safety. They are used to comply with regulatory requirements, reduce risk to acceptable levels, and promote a culture of preparedness and resilience. The term is common in Swedish regulatory and professional language, but the concept is widely applied in many countries under various labels.