About SAN and SAMS

The task of the Maritime Work Environment Committee (SAN) is to increase health and safety in the work environment on board.

Trade unions and employers work together within SAN to promote cooperation and increase the awareness of risks and protection in daily work by arranging conferences, financial support for work environment projects, the spreading of information and so on. In addition to the labour market partners, there are also co-opted members from the Swedish Transport Agency and Linnaeus University on the SAN board to broaden and deepen knowledge among the board members.

SAN was formed in 1956 under the name of the Maritime Board for the Protection of Workers. In its early years, the board’s work was mostly concerned with spreading occupational safety messages and other information, but new commissions came about over time. Courses were introduced in the 1970s, and a large number of safety officers were trained under SAN’s direction. At about this time, a number of new activities were also started, such as the Pajaladojan project in which safety shoes were developed in collaboration with a shoe factory, first aid for accidents was developed with the Red Cross, posters were printed to warn against smoking, to name but a few. A little later, SAN started to arrange health and safety training for naval officers, which continued until spring 2006. SAN’s operations are financed through the Maritime Work Environment Foundation (SAMS).