The 1940s and 50s
The modern work environment began to take shape during this period. It began with a co-operation agreement between the employers’ and employees’ organisations. Prevent, formerly the Joint Industrial Safety Council, was formed in 1942 by these organisations.
The provision of knowledge on a large scale began in the 1950s, largely in the form of correspondence courses.
The 1960s and 70s
Employer-employee co-operation intensified, and in the middle of the 1970s the Swedish Employers’ Confederation (SAF), the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and the Federation of Salaried Employees in Industry and Services (PTK) signed an agreement on health and safety training which stipulated that most of these courses were to be held during working hours. A new basic course, Better Work Environment, was produced.
The Federation of Salaried Employees in Industry and Services became a Prevent principal in 1978.
The 1980s and 90s
The work environment became more integrated with skills and business operations. Close co-operation is begun with TFA, the Labour Market No-fault Insurance scheme, which is now the AFA Labour Market Insurance Company.
Prevent adopted a programme for the 1990s as a basis for its activities until the end of the century.
This programme has the following goals:
- To reduce the risks of ill-health and accidents at work
- To create meaningful jobs that encourage personal and professional development
- To promote a good work environment that ensures employees both job satisfaction and enjoyment of their work situation
The 2000s
The new century has brought major changes for Prevent. A new title, Prevent, replaced The Joint Industrial Safety Council, and its offices moved to new premises.