The Department of Working Environment and Safety

The department is responsible for the administration of the Working Environment Act and its associated regulations, the HSE regulatory framework, and labor dispute legislation. The department works on policy development, regulations, administration, and knowledge development related to various aspects of working life, such as working hours, job security, systematic health, environment and safety work (HSE), inclusive working life, cooperation between the social partners, participation and co-determination, combating labor market crime, unprofessional practices, and social dumping. The department is also responsible for the Holiday Act and regulations on co-determination in company law.

Labor law and HSE are part of the EEA Agreement, and EU/EEA work is therefore a central part of the department’s work. The department is also responsible for Norway’s relationship with the International Labour Organization (ILO), reporting and follow-up responsibilities for the European Social Charter, and relevant UN conventions.

The department has management responsibility for the Labour Inspection Authority, the National Institute of Occupational Health, and administrative responsibility for the National Mediator and the Labour Court. The Department of Working Environment and Safety collaborates extensively with other stakeholders such as the social partners, relevant authorities, research and competence environments, etc.

The department is organized without fixed sections, but with professional groups and department directors with professional and personnel responsibilities.

Areas of Responsibility

Working Environment
The goal of the working environment and safety policy is a working life that includes everyone, ensures employees’ participation, co-determination, and need for protection and safety, and provides an appropriate adaptation to developments in the business sector. The main strategy is to help businesses themselves, through systematic health, environment, and safety work, prevent accidents and health damage. The authorities’ main tools in this work are regulations, supervision, guidance, knowledge development, and cooperation.