January 03, 2024
Norway has introduced significant changes in the regulations concerning safety representatives (verneombud). The new regulations have a massive impact on enterprises and employee safety, encompassing diverse aspects that are worth understanding.
Another very significant change in Norwegian legal regulations concerns the so-called Work Environment Committee - Arbeidsmiljøutvalg (AMU). The amendment to the regulations stipulates that the Committee must be established in companies employing more than 30 employees, as opposed to the previous requirement of 50 employees.
The changes in the Norwegian Labor Code are highly significant for all companies that:
Updates in the Norwegian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: Innovations and Key Changes
Norway has introduced significant changes in the regulations concerning safety representatives (verneombud). The new regulations have a massive impact on enterprises and employee safety, encompassing diverse aspects that are worth understanding.
What can be found in the Norwegian Labor Code?
According to § 6-1 of the Labor Code, there is an obligation to elect a safety representative (Verneombud) in every enterprise. It's worth noting that from January 1, the minimum number of employees required to elect a safety representative has changed from 10 to 5 individuals. This means that smaller companies also need to meet this requirement.
If the number of employees falls below five, there's a possibility to establish an alternative method. The employer and employees can agree in writing not to elect a representative. Such an agreement can be signed for a maximum of two years. It's essential to highlight that employees and the employer must participate in this process. They should consider factors such as risk assessment, enterprise size, nature of work, etc.
How many safety representatives should be elected in a Norwegian company?
Another interesting aspect is the selection of a representative in enterprises with multiple departments or shift work. In such cases, it's recommended to elect at least one safety representative for each department or shift, ensuring comprehensive monitoring and fulfillment of their duties. Here, factors such as risk, nature of work, number of employees, number of projects (construction sites, etc.) should also be considered.
New responsibilities of safety representatives in Norwegian companies
The changes in regulations also extend to the responsibilities of safety representatives. Now, their responsibilities cover not only permanent employees but also contracted workers and independent contractors collaborating with the enterprise. Moreover, it's confirmed that these duties also include the psychosocial environment of employees, a significant novelty concerning care for the mental health of the team.
For everyone interested in these changes, maintaining documentation confirming the work of the safety representative is also crucial. This requires appropriate checklists, monitoring working conditions according to the project's nature, and maintaining deviation forms and other elements that constitute an HMS plan.
Which Companies Are Obliged to Establish a Work Environment Committee in Norway?
Another very significant change in Norwegian legal regulations concerns the so-called Work Environment Committee - Arbeidsmiljøutvalg (AMU). The amendment to the regulations stipulates that the Committee must be established in companies employing more than 30 employees, as opposed to the previous requirement of 50 employees.
Contact us and schedule an hour-long consultation regarding the new regulations concerning Norwegian occupational health and safety (BHP), as well as the new system for registering companies leasing in Norway.
What do the changes in the Norwegian HSE regulations mean in practice?
The changes in the Norwegian Labor Code are highly significant for all companies that:
- Operate in Norway and employ or second employees there
- Employ more than five employees
- Employ more than thirty employees
Expanding the implementation of regulations to foreign companies in Norway signifies tighter control over safety systems.
As a consulting office that has been assisting our clients for many years in Norwegian HSE matters and safety management in companies, we interpret these introduced changes as a positive contribution to a better working environment for both employees and employers in Norway.
Author: Anna Korpalska
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