June 02, 2025
Examples include:
Every company should have a simple, clear process for incident reporting. The steps are:
Want to train your staff in HSE compliance — in Polish?
Why reporting incidents matters
In a workplace context, HSE incidents include any situation that breaches safety procedures, legal requirements or exposes workers to potential harm. Reporting such incidents — including minor non-conformities and near misses — helps prevent future accidents and improves the overall work environment.
What counts as an HSE incident?
According to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet), employers are required to identify and address any:
“Breaches of health, safety and environmental legislation, procedures or workplace standards.”
Examples include:
- Missing or incorrect use of protective equipment.
- Unsafe storage or handling of hazardous substances.
- Failure to follow HSE procedures.
- Lack of required training.
- Near misses — situations that could have caused harm but didn’t.
How should incidents be reported in Norway?
Every company should have a simple, clear process for incident reporting. The steps are:
- Identify the issue or risk.
- Report the incident through a designated form, app, or directly to a supervisor.
- Investigate the root cause and assess the risk.
- Implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Follow up to ensure the solution is effective and communicated.
Roles and responsibilities
- Employees have a duty to report unsafe conditions, incidents, and near misses.
- Employers are legally responsible for investigating, documenting, and addressing reported issues.
The benefits of proactive incident reporting
- Improved safety culture
- Regulatory compliance
- Lower sickness absence and injury rates
- Operational improvements and risk reduction
Want to train your staff in HSE compliance — in Polish?
Visit hms.novumc.com to explore our Polish-language HSE e-learning courses tailored for foreign companies operating in Norway.
Author: Anna Korpalska
Graphics: Canva
Graphics: Canva
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