Work Environment and Safety in Norway
Article | Last updated: 19/12/2024 | Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion
Most people work under good and safe conditions in Norway. Trends in Norwegian working life generally indicate a positive development, but there are still significant differences in working environment conditions between various occupational and industry groups.
The responsibility for the work environment and safety area is organized under the Work Environment and Safety Department in the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion. The operational supervisory responsibility lies with the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) . From July 1, 2023, the responsibility for monitoring the work environment and safety in the petroleum sector and other offshore industrial activities was transferred to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
Health, Environment, and Safety in Working Life
The work environment authorities use the HES concept to mean occupational health, work environment, and safety. HES in working life is about preventing and having an overview of the hazards present in the workplace, and having routines for and implementing measures to address identified risk conditions and handle situations that arise. It is important that both employers and employees actively participate in HES work. The employer has a special responsibility to ensure that the business has good internal control and maintains a proper work environment.
Supervision
The authorities’ supervision involves both audits and verifications. Audits mean checking that businesses have systems and routines that meet the requirements of the legislation. Verifications mean spot checks to ensure that businesses in practice meet the requirements set by the legislation and the systems/routines. Guidance is also an important aspect of supervision. If errors are discovered that are not followed up by the business, the supervisory authorities can issue orders, impose coercive fines, or stop the business. In cases of serious legal violations, the supervisory authorities can also impose infringement fines or report the businesses to the police.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority supervises businesses on land.
Research on Work Environment and Safety
Research on work environment and safety aims, on one hand, to provide knowledge about conditions in the workplace and working life that affect health, accidents, and safety. On the other hand, the research also aims to provide knowledge about the importance of HES for innovation, creativity, productivity, and participation in working life.
Research is mainly conducted through research projects in the Research Council, at the National Institute of Occupational Health, and as individual projects initiated by the ministry, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, or the Petroleum Safety Authority.
Research in the field of work environment and safety is necessary for the authorities to develop a knowledge-based policy and administration and to fulfill their responsibilities and tasks in a good way. The research also serves as an essential knowledge base for businesses and the social partners to fulfill their responsibility to prevent health damage and protect workers.