The cornerstone of Norwegian health and safety law is the Working Environment Act (Arbeidsmiljøloven), which ensures safe and healthy working conditions. The key responsibilities under this law are divided between employers and employees. Employers are required to systematically manage health, safety, and environment (HSE), providing necessary training, protective equipment, and risk assessments. On the other hand, employees are expected to cooperate in HSE efforts, report hazards, and use protective equipment.

Specific Requirements

Under the Working Environment Act, there are specific requirements that need to be met. These include risk assessments to identify and mitigate workplace hazards, safety delegates who act as employee representatives for HSE matters, and working environment committees that facilitate employer-employee collaboration on HSE.

Regulations Supplementing the Working Environment Act

There are also regulations that detail specific HSE requirements for various work environments and activities. Some important examples include the Construction Work Regulations (Byggforskriften) that address safety hazards in construction, the Chemical Regulations (Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid) that cover the handling of hazardous chemicals, the Regulations Relating to Work in Noise (Støyforskriften) that protect workers from excessive noise exposure, and the Regulations Relating to Biological Factors (Forskrift om vern mot eksponering for biologiske faktorer) that address risks from bacteria, viruses, and other biological agents.

Enforcement and Supervision

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) is responsible for enforcing HSE regulations. They conduct inspections, issue improvement notices, and can levy fines for non-compliance.

Additional Important Laws

There are additional important laws that govern HSE in specific industries. These include the Petroleum Safety Act (Petroleumsloven) for the offshore oil and gas industry, the Radiation Protection Act (Strålevernloven) that regulates the use of radiation and radioactive materials, and the Product Control Act (Produktkontrolloven) that ensures consumer product safety.

Key Principles of Norwegian HSE Law

The key principles of Norwegian HSE law include prevention, employer responsibility, employee participation, and continuous improvement. These principles emphasize the importance of identifying and mitigating risks proactively, the primary duty of employers for creating and maintaining a safe workplace, the essential role of collaboration between employers and employees for effective HSE, and the systematic approach for managing safety and health.

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a top priority in Norway, with a strong emphasis on preventing harm in the workplace. The system is built on three key pillars: employer responsibility, employee involvement, and government supervision. Employers are primarily responsible for creating and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces, while employees actively participate in shaping OHS practices. Regulatory agencies, meanwhile, enforce OHS standards and provide guidance to businesses.

Regulatory Framework

Norway's OHS approach is governed by the Working Environment Act (Arbeidsmiljøloven), which defines the rights and obligations of employers and employees regarding workplace safety. The Regulations Relating to the Working Environment Act provide comprehensive guidance on specific OHS areas, such as systematic HSE management, chemical and biological hazards, and the psychosocial and organizational work environment.

Key Institutions

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) is the main government body overseeing OHS compliance. It conducts inspections and provides advice to employers and employees. The National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) is a research institution that investigates occupational health, providing knowledge that informs OHS regulations and practices.

Core OHS Practices in Norway

Systematic Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Management

Employers are required to implement a structured approach to managing HSE risks. This involves continuous risk assessment, hazard control, employee training, incident investigation, and regular evaluation and enhancement of the HSE management system.

Occupational Health Services (OHS)

When warranted by risk assessments, employers must utilize an approved Occupational Health Service (Bedriftshelsetjenesten). OHS offers assistance in health monitoring, workplace assessments, and health promotion.

Employee Participation

Norway strongly supports worker involvement in OHS decision-making. Employees choose safety representatives to participate in OHS inspections and discussions, and in companies with at least 50 employees, joint employer-employee committees formulate OHS strategies.

OHS Focus Areas in Norway

Norway's OHS approach emphasizes the prevention of psychosocial hazards like stress, harassment, and bullying. Interventions to address ergonomics and minimize musculoskeletal problems are prioritized, as are rigorous regulations controlling the use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Special attention is also paid to the OHS needs of foreign workers, who may face language barriers and be less familiar with Norwegian standards.

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority is the primary agency responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety regulations. It conducts inspections to ensure compliance with the Working Environment Act, regulations, and internal control measures established by businesses.

Workplace Inspection Criteria

Inspections by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority cover a broad range of factors:

• Physical Hazards: Noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, radiation, sanitation
• Chemical Hazards: Exposure to hazardous substances, labeling & storage, safety data sheets
• Biological Hazards: Bloodborne pathogens, viruses, bacteria, mold
• Ergonomics: Workstation setup, posture, repetitive movements, manual handling
• Psychosocial Work Environment: Job stress, bullying, harassment, workload, work-life balance
• Organizational Factors: Communication, safety culture, management systems, training

Specific inspection focuses might include safety during construction work, prevention of major accidents (chemical facilities, etc.), ensuring the safe use of machinery & equipment, and investigating accidents and occupational illnesses.

Inspection Procedures

The inspection process involves several steps:

1. Planning: Inspections can be unannounced or planned, targeted to specific industries, or initiated in response to complaints.
2. Opening Meeting: The inspector meets with management to discuss inspection scope.
3. Walkthrough Inspection: Visual assessment of the workplace, along with interviews with employees, and review of relevant documentation.
4. Follow-up Interviews: Further discussions with management and employees as needed.
5. Closing Meeting: The inspector summarizes findings and discusses potential corrective actions.
6. Written Report: Outlines violations, deadlines for corrective action, and potential sanctions for non-compliance.

Inspection Frequency

The frequency of inspections varies based on workplace risk, industry, and the agency's priorities. High-risk workplaces may be inspected more frequently. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority may increase inspections if there are repeated violations.

Follow-Up Actions

Businesses must address violations within specified deadlines and provide documentation of corrective actions to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. Repeat violations or serious breaches may face stricter deadlines, fines, or even temporary shutdown orders. Employees have the right to report concerns and participate in improvement processes.

Key Regulations & Guidelines

The Working Environment Act is the primary framework for workplace safety regulations in Norway. Regulations Relating to Systematic Health, Safety, and Environment Work provides specific requirements. Regulations Concerning the Performance of Work contains provisions for equipment, machinery, and work processes.

Employers in Norway have a legal obligation to immediately notify the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) and the nearest police authority in the event of serious workplace accidents or fatalities. These include incidents resulting in death, injuries likely to cause permanent disability, acute poisoning, unconsciousness, loss of limb, or major burns.

Reporting Requirements

For all work-related injuries or illnesses that result in at least one day of absence, employers are required to submit a report to the Norwegian Welfare and Labour Administration (NAV). Additionally, employers must maintain an internal register of all workplace accidents and illnesses, regardless of their severity.

Investigation Processes

Employers are also required to conduct thorough investigations into workplace accidents to identify their root causes and implement preventive measures. This process may involve interviewing witnesses, securing the accident scene, and reviewing relevant documentation such as procedures and maintenance records. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority may also conduct investigations, particularly in the case of serious accidents. They have the authority to collect evidence, interview employees and management, request additional documentation, and issue enforcement notices or fines.

Compensation Claims

All employees in Norway are covered by the National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden), which provides compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, temporary or permanent disability benefits, and survivor benefits in the event of death. Employers are also required to have additional occupational injury insurance for their employees, which may offer more extensive coverage. In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, workers may pursue civil lawsuits against their employer.

Key Regulations

The framework for accident reporting, investigation, and preventive measures is outlined in The Working Environment Act, particularly in Chapters 4 and 5. The Regulations Relating to Systematic Health, Safety, and Environmental Work in Enterprises provide details regarding internal control systems and accident investigation. The National Insurance Act details compensation provisions for work-related injuries and illnesses.