SAM Occupational Health and Safety Package 2026 – Systematic Work Environment Management Word/PDF/Excel

SAM Work Environment Package 2026 – complete template package for systematic work environment management

A complete and practical work environment package in Word, PDF, and Excel for employers who want to structure their systematic work environment management (SAM) in accordance with Swedish work environment law. The package is updated for the Swedish Work Environment Authority's new regulatory structure and is primarily based on AFS 2023:1 and relevant parts of AFS 2023:2, which have been in effect since January 1, 2025.

The template package was legally reviewed on October 2, 2026, and contains ready-made documents for work environment policy, SAM procedures, division of tasks, risk assessment, action plan, incidents and accidents, introduction, organizational and social work environment, work adaptation, annual cycle, and annual follow-up.

What is included

• SAM Work Environment Package 2026 – Word (DOCX), 17 pages with ready-made templates and forms
• SAM Work Environment Package 2026 – PDF, professionally designed reference version
• SAM Excel Tool 2026 – XLSX with risk register, action plan, incident register, annual cycle, division of tasks, annual follow-up, and document register

The Word/PDF package includes

• work environment policy
• goals for organizational and social work environment
• procedure for systematic work environment management
• employee participation
• division of tasks in work environment management
• authority, resources, and competence
• risk matrix with probability and consequence
• written risk assessment form
• risk assessment prior to changes in operations
• action plan for work environment measures
• reporting of incidents, accidents, and work-related ill health
• root cause analysis focusing on underlying causes
• action plan following an incident or accident
• introduction checklist for new employees and new work tasks
• template for written safety instructions regarding serious risks
• OSA checklist for workload, clarity, support, and working hours
• procedure for victimization/harassment
• procedure for work adaptation
• template for annual follow-up of SAM
• annual cycle with suggested activities month by month
• final implementation checklist

Excel tool with automated risk assessment

The included Excel tool makes the package useful for ongoing work environment management. It contains separate sheets for:

• Risk assessment: probability and consequence 1–5 with automatic risk value and risk level
• Action plan: measure, person responsible, budget/resources, deadline, and effect control
• Incidents & accidents: collective registration and follow-up of events
• Annual cycle: pre-planned SAM activities throughout the year
• Division of tasks: work environment task, authority, resources, and competence
• Annual follow-up: control points to assess whether SAM is functioning
• Document register: overview of policies, procedures, instructions, and next review date

What does AFS 2023:1 require?

The employer must work systematically by organizing, implementing, and following up on work environment management. The work environment must be surveyed, risks assessed, and necessary measures implemented. Risk assessments must always be documented in writing, and a risk assessment must be performed before planned changes in operations.

Measures that cannot be implemented immediately must be documented in an action plan with a responsible person and a deadline for completion. Implemented measures must be verified.

Specific requirements for written documentation for 10 or more employees

AFS 2023:1 stipulates that the work environment policy, SAM procedures, and division of tasks must be in writing when the operation has ten or more employees. The results of the annual follow-up must also be documented in writing when there are ten or more employees. Risk assessments, however, must always be documented in writing, regardless of the number of employees.

If there are serious risks, there must be written instructions on how to perform the work safely. The package therefore also includes a specific template for safety instructions.

Risk assessment before changes

The package includes a separate change-related risk assessment. It is intended for use before, for example, personnel changes, changed work methods or working hours, renovations or new constructions, or the introduction of new work equipment.

Organizational and Social Work Environment (OSA)

AFS 2023:2 requires, among other things, that managers and supervisors have knowledge of how to prevent and manage unhealthy workloads and victimization. The employer must also have goals for the organizational and social work environment. The goals must be in writing if there are ten or more employees.

The template package therefore includes specific documentation for OSA goals, workload, priorities, support, working hours, and a procedure for victimization/harassment.

Incidents, accidents, and work-related ill health

The employer must investigate ill health, accidents, and serious incidents to understand underlying causes and prevent the event from recurring. The package includes both a reporting form and a systematic root cause analysis.

In the event of a death, serious personal injury, injuries affecting multiple employees simultaneously, or incidents that have posed a serious danger to life or health, the employer must notify the Swedish Work Environment Authority without delay in accordance with the Work Environment Act.

Annual follow-up of SAM

The employer must annually follow up on whether the systematic work environment management is being conducted according to the rules and whether it is functioning. The template package includes a comprehensive checklist for, among other things, policy, procedures, risk assessments, action plans, incidents, introduction, OSA, work adaptation, and the need for external professional assistance.

For which operations is the package suitable?

The package is designed as a general SAM baseline package and can be adapted for small and medium-sized enterprises, associations, and other employers. Operations with specific risks may need to supplement the package with additional industry- and risk-specific regulations, for example regarding chemical work environment risks, machinery, noise, construction work, or minors.

Legal basis

• Work Environment Act (1977:1160), especially Chapter 3
• Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations AFS 2023:1 – Systematic work environment management
• Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations AFS 2023:2 – Planning and organizing work environment management
• Work Environment Ordinance (1977:1166), where applicable

Frequently asked questions

Does a company have to have a work environment policy?
The employer must ensure that there is a work environment policy. It must be in writing if there are ten or more employees.

Must the risk assessment be in writing?
Yes. The risk assessment must always be documented in writing.

Do you have to perform a risk assessment for a reorganization?
Yes. A risk assessment must be done before changes in operations, such as personnel changes, changed work methods, working hours, premises, or new work equipment.

Are both risk assessment and action plan included?
Yes. Both Word/PDF forms and separate Excel sheets are included.

Can the Excel sheet calculate the risk level automatically?
Yes. When probability and consequence are entered, the risk value is calculated automatically and classified as low, moderate, high, or very high.

Is this everything an employer needs?
It is a comprehensive baseline package for SAM. Operation-specific risks and regulations must always be identified and added based on the actual business.

Format: Word (DOCX) + PDF + Excel (XLSX)
Language: Swedish
Jurisdiction: Sweden
Version: 1.0 – 2026-10-02

The templates are general documentation and do not replace an operation-specific work environment survey, risk assessment, or individual legal/expert advice where such is needed.