Section 1-1.Purpose

The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that work is organised and facilitated in a manner that ensures a thoroughly sound working environment where employees are protected against physical and mental strain by

Section 1-2.Scope

The regulations concern the organisation, facilitation and management of the work and the participation of the employees or their representatives.

Chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the regulations do not apply to offshore petroleum activities and activities on onshore facilities as mentioned in Section 6 (e) of the Framework Regulations. Chapter 12 of the regulations does not apply to offshore petroleum activities.

Section 1-3.To whom the regulations apply

Employers shall ensure that the provisions of these regulations are implemented.

Chapters 5, 6 and 15, Section 10-1 (m) and (o), and Section 14-2 of the regulations, also apply to undertakings with no employees.

Section 14-3 of the regulations applies to medical practitioners in connection with their duty of notification.

Section 1-4.Definitions

For the purpose of these regulations, the following definitions shall apply:

Section 1-5.Exemption

The Labour Inspection Authority, the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway may grant exemption from the regulations in their respective areas if warranted on special grounds, if it is justified from a health and safety perspective and not in breach of the EEA Agreement.

Section 1-6.(Repealed)

Section 2-1.Employee participation

Planning and assessment of the working environment and implementation of necessary and preventive measures shall take place in cooperation with the employees, safety representatives and employee representatives.

Development measures intended to prevent injuries relating to ergonomically strenuous work shall be implemented in cooperation with affected employees.

The safety representative or, if the undertaking does not have a safety representative, an employee representative, must be consulted during the preparation of safety procedures, contingency plans and emergency response plans in connection with work under water or increased ambient pressure.

The employees shall participate in the planning of diving operations, including risk assessments and measures.

Section 2-2.Duties and participation of safety representatives

Safety representatives shall work for the implementation of the Working Environment Act's objectives and otherwise perform their duties pursuant to Section 6-2 of the Working Environment Act and Section 12-11 of these regulations.

Safety representatives are entitled to spend time as necessary to perform their duties properly.

In undertakings that do not have a working environment committee, the safety representative shall also:

Section 2-3.Duties of the working environment committee

The working environment committee is a decision-making and advisory body tasked with ensuring that the working environment legislation is implemented in the undertaking.

In addition to the duties mentioned in Section 7-2 of the Working Environment Act, the committee is responsible for the following:

In cases as mentioned in Section 7-2 (4) of the Working Environment Act, the committee shall have access to the Labour Inspection Authority and the police's investigation documents. The Labour Inspection Authority or the police will decide the extent to which documents shall be presented. Any information that the committee receives from the Labour Inspection Authority or the police shall only be used insofar as this is necessary to clarify the cause of a work accident.

Section 2-4.Consideration by the working environment committee of plans for building works etc.

An employer who presents the working environment committee with plans for building works or other plans that can be of material importance to the working environment, cf. Section 7-2 (2)(c) and (d) of the Working Environment Act, shall also notify the committee of whether the plans will be presented to the Labour Inspection Authority pursuant to Section 18-9 of the Act.

The same applies when the plans are being considered by safety representatives in undertakings that do not have a working environment committee, or by a special local working environment committee or the local or regional safety representative; see Section 6-4 of the Working Environment Act.

Section 3-1.Division into safety areas

The working environment committee shall divide the workplace into safety areas. In undertakings that do not have a working environment committee, this shall be carried out by the local trade union after the employer has stated its opinion.

If the undertaking has several local trade unions, they shall jointly decide on the division into safety areas after the employer has stated its opinion. If the trade unions fail to agree, the employer shall decide on the division. If no local trade union exists, representatives appointed by the employer shall decide on the division after the employer has stated its opinion.

Section 3-2.Election of safety representatives

The safety representatives shall be elected from among employees with experience and knowledge of the undertaking's working conditions.

The safety representatives shall be elected by and from among employees in each safety area. All employees have voting rights, except the undertaking's chief executive manager. Groups of employees who work in several safety areas may elect their own safety representative for areas that are not covered by other safety representatives.

In safety areas where the majority of the employees are members of a local trade union, the trade union may appoint a safety representative. In safety areas where the employees are members of a trade union, but where none of the unions represents the majority alone, the unions may appoint the safety representative jointly.

The safety representatives shall otherwise be elected by majority vote. The election shall be led by an election committee for the whole undertaking. The election committee shall consist of between one and three persons. The election committee shall be appointed by the working environment committee. In undertakings that do not have a working environment committee, the election committee shall be appointed by the local trade union. If there are several local trade unions, the election committee shall be appointed by the trade unions jointly. If the trade unions fail to agree, the election committee shall be appointed by the employer. If no local trade unions exist, the election committee shall be appointed by the employer.

All employees in the safety area and local trade unions of which employees in the safety area in question are members have the right to propose candidates. The election committee shall make known the names of the candidate and the proposer before the election takes place. In the event of parity of votes, the election shall be decided by drawing lots. The election committee shall otherwise adopt rules for the election unless such rules are adopted by the undertaking's working environment committee.

If the employees refuse to elect a safety representative, the employer shall appoint one. This safety representative shall serve until the employees have elected a safety representative in accordance with the rules stated above, but for not more than two years at a time.

In undertakings that are to establish a working environment committee but have not yet done so, the provisions of Section 3-1 first paragraph second sentence and second paragraph shall apply together with the fourth paragraph fifth sentence ff. of this section, until the committee has been established.

Section 3-3.Election of deputy for the safety representative

A deputy may be elected for the safety representative. In such case, the rules that apply to the safety representative shall apply correspondingly to the deputy.

Section 3-4.Term of office for safety representatives

Safety representatives are elected for two years at a time. If a safety representative leaves the undertaking or takes up permanent work in another safety area, the representative's term of office will terminate. In such case, a new safety representative shall be elected immediately, unless a deputy has been elected. The deputy shall then take over as the safety representative for the remainder of the term of office.

The undertaking's management shall be notified in writing of who has been elected as a safety representative. No demand for recognition of an employee as a safety representative can be made until such notification has been given. Until the management receives notification of the election result, the person previously elected shall be deemed to be the safety representative.

Section 3-5.Senior safety representative

One of the safety representatives or another employee who has held an office in the undertaking may be elected as the senior safety representative; see Section 6-1 (3) of the Working Environment Act.

In undertakings where the majority of the employees are members of a local trade union, the trade union shall appoint a senior safety representative.

In undertakings where the majority of the employees are members of a trade union, but where none of the unions represents the majority alone, they may appoint the senior safety representative jointly. If they fail to agree, the rule set out in the fourth paragraph shall apply.

If the conditions set out in the third paragraph are not met, the safety representatives shall elect a senior safety representative. In the event of parity of votes, the election shall be decided by drawing lots.

The senior safety representative is responsible for coordinating the activities of the safety representatives. Matters that concern several safety areas shall be submitted to the senior safety representative. The question of which safety representative shall deal with a matter is decided by the senior safety representative.

The provisions laid down for the safety representative shall otherwise apply correspondingly to the senior safety representative.

Section 3-6.Election of deputy for the senior safety representative

A deputy shall be elected for the senior safety representative. The rules that apply to the senior safety representative shall apply correspondingly to the deputy.

Section 3-7.Working environment committee

Undertakings that regularly employ at least thirty employees shall have a working environment committee on which the employer and the employees shall have an equal number of representatives; see Section 7-1 of the Working Environment Act.

The average number of employees during the past calendar year shall form the basis for the decision on whether to establish a working environment committee. When calculating the number of employees, all employees who work at least 20 hours a week shall be counted.

The employer appoints its own representatives on the committee. The employer, the person who runs the undertaking on the employer’s behalf or, when the activities are extensive, a representative of the executive management, shall always be a member of the working environment committee.

The senior safety representative shall be one of the employees’ representatives on the committee and shall have voting rights. If the undertaking has several senior safety representatives, they shall elect one joint representative. If there is only one safety representative in the undertaking, he or she shall be a member of the committee. The employees elect the rest of their representatives by majority vote. Only employees of the undertaking can be elected.

Personnel in the occupational health service, cf. Section 3-3 of the Working Environment Act, cannot be elected as representatives of the employer or employees. At least one representative of the occupational health service shall be a permanent member of the committee.

Section 3-8.Right to vote in elections of members of the working environment committee

All employees have a right to vote in the election, except the person who runs the undertaking on behalf of the employer.

Section 3-9.Election of members of the working environment committee

The election shall be by secret written ballot. An election committee shall lead the election as stated in Section 3-2.

All employees and the local trade union have the right to propose candidates. The election committee shall make known the names of the candidates and the proposer before the election.

The election committee shall prepare ballot papers. Votes shall only be cast for up to the number of employee representatives and deputies to be elected. Votes may only be cast for proposed candidates.

The persons who receive the most votes are elected in the order indicated by the number of votes. In the event of parity of votes, the election shall be decided by drawing lots.

Section 3-10.Election of members of the working environment committee in undertakings with several local trade unions

In undertakings with several local trade unions, two or more trade unions that together represent a majority of the employees may agree that the election shall be by proportional representation or that the trade unions shall appoint the employee representatives on the working environment committee. If no such agreement is made, the election shall be by majority vote.

Section 3-11.Deputies for members of the working environment committee

The members of the working environment committee shall have deputies. The deputy for the employer shall be elected by the employer and be a member of the undertaking's executive management. Deputies for the employee representatives shall be elected or appointed under the provisions of Section 3-9 and Section 3-10. If an election is held, employee representatives and deputies shall be elected at the same time. Members and deputies are elected in the order indicated by the number of votes. The deputy receiving the highest number of votes becomes the personal deputy of the member receiving the highest number of votes etc.

Section 3-12.Chair of the working environment committee

If the parties fail to agree on whether in the first year, the chair shall be a representative of the employer or the employees, this shall be decided by drawing lots.

Section 3-13.Matters that concern a group of employees not represented on the working environment committee

When the working environment committee considers matters that particularly concern a group of employees not represented on the working environment committee, representatives of that group shall be summoned. They shall have a right to speak and make proposals to the committee, but not have voting rights. This rule also applies to the groups mentioned in Section 1-6 of the Working Environment Act.

Section 3-14.Several working environment committees in the same undertaking

In undertakings with several separate operational entities, the working environment committee may decide that local working environment committees shall be elected for each operational entity. The working environment committee for the whole undertaking shall stipulate the duties and authority of the local working environment committees. The provisions of the regulations on working environment committees shall otherwise apply.

The working environment committee may appoint sub-committees to consider specific problems (e.g. a rehabilitation committee, an ergonomics committee etc.). The sub-committees are advisory bodies to the working environment committee. The working environment committee may nonetheless decide that the individual sub-committees shall have a certain decision-making authority.

Section 3-15.Term of office for members of the working environment committee

Members of the working environment committee are elected for two years at a time. If a member leaves the undertaking, the member's term of office will terminate. The deputy shall then take over as a member for the remainder of the election period.

Section 3-16.Rules of procedure for the working environment committee

The working environment committee decides how often meetings of the committee shall be held. Normally, there are four meetings per year. A meeting of the committee shall be held when requested by at least two of its members.

The committee raises questions on its own initiative or at the request of a safety representative. Any other employee can also bring a working environment issue before the committee.

The committee discusses the items for its consideration, initially with a view to reaching an agreement. If the committee fails to reach a solution that the members can agree on, a vote shall be held.

Minutes shall be kept of the meetings of the working environment committee. In connection with voting, both the majority and the minority opinions shall be recorded in the minutes.

Section 3-17.Duty of secrecy for safety representatives and members of the working environment committee

Safety representatives or other employee representatives, when safety representatives have not been elected, and members of the working environment committee are obliged to prevent others from gaining access to or knowledge about anything they might learn about the following in the course of their duties:

The duty of secrecy does not apply if the undertaking or the person the information concerns consent to the information being disclosed, or if this is necessary to inform affected employees or members of the undertaking's bodies about accidents or health hazards in the undertaking.

The working environment committee may decide that its members shall be bound by the duty of secrecy. The exceptions from the duty of secrecy set out in the second paragraph apply correspondingly.

If the safety representative or other employee representative, when a safety representative has not been elected, or a member of the committee is in doubt about whether disclosing information can be damaging, he/she shall consult the person about whom the information concerns.

Section 3-18.Training of safety representatives and members of working environment committees

Safety representatives and members of working environment committees shall receive the training necessary to enable them to perform their duties in a proper manner; see Section 6-5 (1) and Section 7-4 of the Working Environment Act. The training shall:

If chemical substances or biological materials are used as mentioned in Section 4-5 of the Working Environment Act, training shall be provided on the health hazards that the substances entail.

Further training shall be provided in topics mentioned in the first and second paragraphs that have a particular impact on the working environment in the undertaking in question, insofar as the safety representatives and members of the working environment committee must be able to perform their duties properly.

Special training should also be provided for safety representatives in safety areas where there are particularly complex working environment problems. The senior safety representative shall have at least the same training as the other safety representatives in the undertaking, in addition to the requisite training for performing his or her duties pursuant to Section 3-5 of these regulations.

Section 3-19.Duration of the training of safety representatives and members of working environment committees

The training shall be of at least 40 hours' duration. Training for less than 40 hours may be agreed upon if the parties jointly find that it is justified based on an assessment of the nature and scope of the problems.

Section 3-20.Implementation of training of safety representatives and members of working environment committees

Practical issues in connection with the training shall be clarified between the employer and the employees' safety representatives or by agreement between the employer's association and the trade union, with a right to submit recommendations in accordance with Section 39 of the Labour Dispute Act. If there are no safety representatives in the undertaking, the employer shall clarify such issues with those who are to take part in the training.

Training shall be provided as soon as possible after a new election, and it shall preferably take place during working hours. The employer shall cover the costs of the training. When training takes place during working hours, the participants shall have time off from work with full pay. If the training takes place outside working hours, the participants shall be paid as if they were working ordinary working hours, without any overtime supplement for the tuition time.

Section 3-21.The Labour Inspection Authority's right to instruct employers to provide training for safety representatives and members of working environment committees

In cases where the working conditions warrant more extensive training of safety representatives or members of the working environment committee than decided by the undertaking, the Labour Inspection Authority may order the employer to provide such training. The Labour Inspection Authority may also lay down minimum requirements for training for particular industries and types of undertaking.

Where no training is planned or provided, the Labour Inspection Authority may order the employer to provide training as laid down in this section and Sections 3-18 to 3-20, and may also define the content and scope of such training.

Section 3-22.Undertakings that have other collaborative bodies

In undertakings where a collaborative body already exists, the employer and local trade unions of which a majority of the employees are members may agree that this body is to function as a working environment committee.

If no local trade union exists, or if only a minority of the employees are members of the union, the employees can appoint representatives who, either alone or together with the union, will be tasked with entering into such an agreement with the employer.

In order for another collaborative body to function as the working environment committee, the following conditions must be met:

If the requirements can be met by supplementing the committee, the committee may act as a working environment committee when such supplementation takes place.

Section 3-23.Special groups

Representatives of students, military service personnel, civil service personnel, prisoners, patients and people on placements cannot be elected as employee representatives or as members of the working environment committee unless provided for in supplementary regulations. Nor do they have voting rights in connection with elections of safety representatives and members of working environment committees, and they shall not be reckoned with when deciding whether the number of employees in the undertaking indicates that a working environment committee must be established, unless otherwise provided for in supplementary regulations.

Section 4-1.Election of safety representatives and working environment committees at company quays and in ports

This chapter does not apply to company quays or ports where only the undertaking's own employees are used for loading and unloading operations.

Section 4-2.Election of safety representatives for stevedores

In ports where at least five employees are regularly employed in loading and unloading operations, one or more local safety representatives shall be elected.

The number of safety representatives shall be decided by agreement between the parties.

If there are several local safety representatives, a local senior safety representative shall be elected, cf. Section 6-1 (3) of the Working Environment Act and Section 3-5 of these regulations is applicable.

In connection with the election of local safety representatives, the provisions of Section 6-1 of the Working Environment Act and Sections 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-5, 3-6 and 3-14 of these regulations shall otherwise apply insofar as they are appropriate.

Section 4-3.Election of working environment committees for stevedores

In ports where at least 15 employees are regularly employed in loading and unloading operations, a local working environment committee shall be established if one of the parties so demands. When calculating the number of employees, the rule set out in Section 3-7 second paragraph shall apply; however, everyone who works at least the same number of hours as the average for the permanent employees shall be included. The size of the committee shall be decided by agreement between the parties.

If the committee does not have representatives of all the employers, the employers with the greatest number of hours worked by stevedores shall have preferential rights.

A local union of which the majority of the stevedores are members may appoint the employees' representatives on the committee.

In connection with the establishment of working environment committees, the provisions of Section 7-1 of the Working Environment Act and Sections 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-5, 3-6, 3-7 and 3-15 of these regulations shall otherwise apply insofar as they are appropriate.

Section 4-4.The duties, obligations and rights of the safety representative and the working environment committee

The local safety representative and working environment committee shall have the same duties, obligations, and rights as those laid down for ordinary safety representatives and working environment committees; see Chapters 6 and 7 of the Working Environment Act and Chapter 3 of these regulations.

Section 4-5.The employer's right to state his or her opinion

Before a decision is made, as stated in Section 7-2(4) and (5) of the Working Environment Act, the employers to whom the decision is addressed shall be allowed to state their opinion within a reasonable deadline.

Section 4-6.The employer's right to submit the working environment committee's decision to the Labour Inspection Authority

If the committee has made a decision pursuant to Section 7-2(4) and (5) of the Working Environment Act, any employer to whom the decision applies may submit it to the Labour Inspection Authority for decision

In such cases, the working environment committee shall be notified that the decision has been submitted to the Labour Inspection Authority, and of the grounds for this.

Section 4-7.Expenses relating to the safety representatives and the working environment committees' activities

Expenses relating to the safety representatives and the working environment committees' activities shall be split proportionately between the employers covered by the arrangement, in the same way as is stipulated for other administrative expenses.

Section 5-1.Scope

This chapter applies to building and construction undertakings where workplaces are temporary or mobile, including undertakings with no employees.

Section 5-2.The authority and duties of regional safety representatives

The regional safety representatives shall work in workplaces that have not elected a safety representative or established a working environment committee pursuant to the provisions of the Working Environment Act.

In workplaces that have not elected a safety representative, the regional safety representative shall notify the employer and employees of the duty to elect a safety representative pursuant to Section 6-1 of the Working Environment Act. If no safety representative is elected following this, the regional safety representative shall notify the Labour Inspection Authority.

Until a safety representative has been elected for the undertaking, the regional safety representative has the same authority as a safety representative pursuant to Section 6-2(1) to (6) and Section 6-3 of the Working Environment Act. The regional safety representative may take part in the Labour Inspection Authority's inspections in the undertaking. Regional safety representatives have the same authority in relation to undertakings with no employees.

In workplaces with several employers and where the undertakings have not agreed on which one is to take responsibility for coordinating the individual undertakings' safety and environmental work, the regional safety representative shall notify the employers of the duty to agree in writing which undertaking shall be responsible for the coordination; see Section 2-2 of the Working Environment Act. If, following this, the employers fail to agree on which undertaking is to be responsible for the coordination, the regional safety representative shall notify the Labour Inspection Authority.

If undertakings that are obliged to establish a working environment committee pursuant to Section 7-1 of the Working Environment Act fail to do so, the regional safety representatives shall make the employer and employees aware of this duty. If no working environment committee is established following this, the regional safety representative shall notify the Labour Inspection Authority.

Regional safety representatives shall prepare annual reports on their activities to the unions.

Section 5-3.Regional safety representatives' right to information

Regional safety representatives have the same right to information from the undertakings as the ordinary elected safety representatives and otherwise to such information as may be considered necessary for the regional safety representatives to perform their duties pursuant to Section 5-2 of these regulations.

Section 5-4.Duty of secrecy

Regional safety representatives have a duty of secrecy in accordance with Section 3-17.

Section 5-5.Competence requirements

Regional safety representatives are obliged to familiarise themselves with the rules on health, safety and the working environment that apply to building and construction undertakings under these regulations.

Section 6-1.Scope

This chapter shall apply to undertakings

This chapter does not apply to petroleum activities, cf. Section 1-2. The chapter also applies to undertakings with no employees and undertakings that provide temporary employees to undertakings comprised by the first paragraph (a-c) of this provision.

Section 6-2.Qualifications etc.

Regional safety representatives shall have at least three years' experience of work in the industry they are to be a safety representative for, and at least two years' experience as a safety representative. The qualification requirement may be departed from in special cases.

Regional safety representatives are obliged to familiarise themselves with the rules on health, safety and the environment that apply to their industry.

Section 6-3.The authority and duties of regional safety representatives

The regional safety representatives shall work in undertakings that have not elected a safety representative or established a working environment committee pursuant to the provisions of the Working Environment Act.

In undertakings that have not elected a safety representative, the regional safety representative shall notify the employer and employees of the duty to have a safety representative pursuant to Section 6-1 of the Working Environment Act. If no safety representative is elected or appointed following this, the regional safety representative shall notify the Labour Inspection Authority.

Until a safety representative has been elected for the undertaking, the regional safety representative has the same authority as a safety representative pursuant to Section 6-2 (1) to (6) and Section 6-3 of the Working Environment Act. The regional safety representative may take part in the Labour Inspection Authority's inspections in the undertaking.

In workplaces with several employers and where the undertakings have not agreed on which one is to take responsibility for coordinating the individual undertakings' safety and environmental work, the regional safety representative shall notify the employers of the duty to agree in writing which undertaking shall be responsible for the coordination; see Section 2-2 of the Working Environment Act. If, following this, the employers fail to agree on which undertaking is to be responsible for the coordination, the regional safety representative shall notify the Labour Inspection Authority.

If undertakings that are obliged to establish a working environment committee pursuant to Section 7-1 of the Working Environment Act fail to do so, the regional safety representatives shall make the employer and employees aware of this duty. If no working environment committee is established following this, the regional safety representative shall notify the Labour Inspection Authority.

Section 6-4.Right to information

Regional safety representatives have the same right to information from the undertakings as the ordinary elected safety representative and otherwise to such information as may be considered necessary for the regional safety representative to perform his/her duties pursuant to Section 6-3 of these regulations.

Section 6-5.Duty of secrecy

Regional safety representatives have a duty of secrecy in accordance with Section 3-17.

Section 7-1.General requirements for mapping and risk assessments

The parties to which the regulations apply, cf. Section 1-3, shall ensure that the working environment in the undertaking is considered in connection with the planning, facilitation and performance of the work.

Factors that can affect employees' physical or mental health, including working hours, shall be mapped and, if necessary, measured. Special consideration shall be given to whether employees under 18 years will be used for the work; see Chapter 12.

Based on the mapping, the risk of injury or harm to the employees' health and safety shall be assessed.

Risk assessments shall be carried out regularly, in connection with changes that may have an impact on the risk factors and in connection with purchases of machinery and equipment that may have an impact on the health, safety and working environment in the undertaking.

Risk assessments shall be carried out in cooperation with the employees and their representatives.

Mapping and risk assessments, and plans and measures resulting from risk assessments, shall be documented in the form and scope necessary, based on the nature, activities, risk factors and size of the undertaking, and they shall be stored so that the information can be used later.

Section 7-2.Measurement as the basis for risk assessment

When measurements are carried out as the basis for a risk assessment, the measuring methods and instruments shall be adapted to the environment, the type of exposure that occurs and the duration of the exposure. The measurement methods used shall be representative of the individual employee's personal exposure, and an account shall be taken of measurement uncertainty in the assessment of risk.

Section 7-3.Additional requirements for risk assessments:

Risk assessments shall be carried out in accordance with the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work, in connection with:

Section 8-1.General requirements for training

Employers shall ensure that employees who use equipment and plant or handle goods, substances or products have received necessary training and practice in expedient working methods, organisation of the work and other relevant factors, and have the necessary qualifications for the safe performance of the work.

Where the use of aids, evacuation and rescue equipment, first aid equipment or personal protective equipment is required, training shall be provided and, if necessary, drills shall be organised in the use of such equipment.

In connection with the training of persons under the age of 18, a special account shall be taken of their lack of work experience, that they are not aware of existing and potential risks and that they are not yet fully developed.

Owners of undertakings with no employees, or in which employees can be exposed to risk in connection with the use of the equipment and the performance of work, shall ensure that necessary training and qualifications are in place.

Training shall be repeated when necessary.

The training shall be provided in a language that the employees understand.

Section 8-2.Qualification and additional requirements for training

The employer shall ensure that training is provided in accordance with the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work, in connection with:

Section 9-1.General requirements for information to employees

The employer shall ensure that the employees and their representatives are kept informed about risk factors relating to the work and how they can be avoided.

The information shall be worded so that it can be understood by each employee.

Section 9-2.Additional requirements for information to employees

The employer shall ensure that information is provided in accordance with the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work, in connection with:

Section 10-1.Planning and facilitation of the work

The employer shall plan the work and check the procedures for the systematic working environment work, so that the work can be carried out with adequate regard to health and safety.

Section 10-2.Prevention of injuries relating to ergonomically strenuous work

The employer shall implement necessary measures to remove or reduce strenuous and harmful manual work operations, including development measures; see Section 2-1 second paragraph. These measures shall be based on the work that is carried out and include factors such as:

Section 10-3.Requirements for the choice of work equipment

The employer shall ensure that the work equipment used has been designed and arranged so that the employees are protected against harm to life or health during the use of the equipment; see the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work.

In order to protect the employees' life and health, the employer shall, when choosing work equipment, take into consideration special conditions in each workplace, the distinctive features of the work and the dangers that may arise in connection with the use of the equipment.

The employer shall assess the risks and implement necessary measures to ensure that work equipment that is made available to the employees is suitable for the work and adapted to the intended purpose. It must be possible to use and maintain the work equipment without any risk of harm to the life or health of the person carrying out the work.

When it is not possible to fully ensure that work equipment can be used without risk of harm to life or health, the employer shall implement measures to reduce the risks to a minimum.

Section 10-4.Requirements for systematic inspection and maintenance

Work equipment and installations in use shall be subject to regular inspection and maintenance to ensure compliance with the provisions in Section 10-6, first paragraph, of the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work.

When necessary, procedures shall be developed for the inspection and maintenance of work equipment and plant before use.

Section 10-5.Requirements for safety signage and signalling

The employer shall assess hazardous conditions in the undertaking to ensure that safety signage and signalling are in place where such hazards cannot be avoided by other measures.

If the effect is the same, a choice can be made between:

Signals that can be used together:

Section 10-6.Requirements for warning and communication devices

If the risk assessment indicates that there may be a need for immediate assistance, the employer shall take necessary measures to ensure that the employees can be alerted and to ensure that the employees have access to the required warning and communication devices.

Section 10-7.Requirements for software and computer systems

In connection with any development, choice, purchase and change of software, and when defining tasks that involve the use of a computer screen, the employer shall take the following factors into account:

Section 10-8.Variation and rest

When warranted by the nature of the work, for example, work at a computer screen, the employer shall facilitate the work by ensuring that it is regularly interrupted by other forms of work or, where this is not possible, that it is interrupted by periods of rest and restitution as necessary to avoid harmful effects.

Section 11-1.General requirements for work instructions for work execution and use of work equipment

If the performance of work can entail a particular risk of harm to life or health, the employer shall prepare written work instructions to ensure that:

Section 11-2.Additional requirements for work instructions

Written work instructions shall always exist in accordance with the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work, in connection with:

Section 12-1.Risk assessments and specially adapted measures for employees under the age of 18

When persons under the age of 18 are to be used in the work, the employer must assess the risks to which they will be exposed.

The risk assessment shall be carried out before persons under 18 take up the work and repeated every time material changes are made to the working conditions.

The risk assessment shall be based on the following in particular:

The employer shall implement necessary measures to safeguard the health, safety and development of persons under the age of 18. A special account shall be taken of their lack of work experience, that they are not aware of actual and potential risks and that they are not yet fully developed.

Section 12-2.Right to use children aged 13 for work

Children who have reached the age of 13 may perform light work. Light work means any work that, due to the nature of the tasks and the special conditions under which they are to be carried out, does not have any unfortunate effect on the children's health, safety or development, and that does not affect their schooling, participation in vocational guidance or training, or their chance of benefiting from education.

Section 12-3.Right to employ children in cultural work or similar

Children under the age of 15 or children required to go to school under the Act of 17 July 1998 No 61 relating to primary and secondary education and training (the Education Act) may carry out cultural, artistic, sports-related or advertising work, insofar as the work does not have an adverse effect on their health, safety or development, and does not affect their schooling, participation in vocational guidance or training, or their chance of benefiting from education.

Before children are put to work as mentioned in the first paragraph, the employer shall obtain the consent of the Labour Inspection Authority. Consent pursuant to Section 12-4 shall be enclosed with the application to the Labour Inspection Authority.

When it is justifiable from a safety and health perspective, the Labour Inspection Authority may on application give its prior consent to children being used for cultural, artistic or sports-related work more than two hours a day and twelve hours a week.

Section 12-4.Consent of parents or guardians

Before children under the age of 15, or children of school age are put to work, the employer shall ensure that written consent is obtained from their parents or guardians.

Section 12-5.Limitations on work to be performed by children and young people

Persons under the age of 18 shall not perform work that

Section 12-6.Prohibition on work that can entail a particular risk of harm to health

Persons under the age of 18 shall not perform the following types of work:

This applies regardless of whether the chemical or mixture is classified in accordance with the said regulations,

as well as substances or mixtures released during such processes,

Section 12-7.Exemption from the prohibition on work for vocational training

If the work is carried out as part of the practical training under the auspices of the school, or practical training under an apprenticeship contract or training contract, young people between the age of 15 and 18 who are not required to go to school, may perform work as mentioned in Section 12-5 (b) to (d) and Section 12-6 (b) to (p).

On the same terms as mentioned in the first paragraph, young people aged between 16 and 18 who are not required to go to school may perform work as mentioned in Section 12-6 (a) when the effective dose equivalent does not exceed 5 mSv over 12 months. In the event of irradiation of individual organs, the dose limit must not exceed 50 mSv/year for the eye lens and 150 mSv/year for the skin, hands and feet.

Young people who have turned 17 may be given practical training in the use of work equipment as mentioned in Section 12-6 (q) to (u), if the training complies with the requirements for safety training set out in Chapter 10 of the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work. Such training can also be provided to upper secondary school students when the student has turned 16 and the training takes place under the qualified supervision of the school.

When young people are put to work as mentioned in the first, second and third paragraphs, the employer shall organise and adapt the work to the person's work experience and level of maturity, and otherwise implement measures as necessary to safeguard their health, safety and development.

The employer shall ensure that young people who are put to such work are supervised by an experienced, qualified person to the extent that this is necessary.

Section 12-7A.Exemption from Section 11-2 third paragraph and Section 11-5 third paragraph relating to vocational training in building and construction

The employees' elected representatives may consent to invoking working hour arrangements pursuant to Section 10-5 second paragraph and Section 10-12 fourth paragraph of the Working Environment Act above the limits laid down in Section 11-2 third paragraph and Section 11-5 third paragraph of the Working Environment Act for young persons between the age of 17 and 18 who, as part of their practical training, carry out work under an apprenticeship contract or training contract relating to subjects founded on vg2 Construction.

The Labour Inspection Authority may consent to invoking working hour arrangements pursuant to Section 10-5 third paragraph and Section 10-12 sixth paragraph of the Working Environment Act above the limits laid down in Section 11-2 third paragraph and Section 11-5 third paragraph of the Working Environment Act for young persons between the age of 17 and 18 who, as part of their practical training, carry out work under an apprenticeship contract or training contract relating to subjects founded on vg2 Construction.

The working hours arrangement mentioned in the first and second paragraphs can only be invoked to the extent that it is not in breach of other provisions in Chapter 11 of the Working Environment Act.

Young persons who are put to work as mentioned in the first or second paragraph must have a continuous off-duty period of at least 36 hours per seven days. Overtime work cannot be imposed on young persons.

Section 12-8.Right to use children for cultural, artistic or sports-related work

Children under the age of 15 or children who are required to go to school may perform cultural, artistic or sports-related work in the period between 20:00 and 23:00, on the terms and conditions mentioned in Section 12-3. In cases where the work is concluded after 22:00, the free period shall last until 7:00.

Section 12-9.Conditions for using young people for night work

If the work is not harmful to their health, safety or development, young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who are not required to go to school may perform night work in the following cases:

Section 12-10.Requirement for information

The employer shall ensure that persons under the age of 18, their parents or other guardians are informed about any risks associated with the work and about all measures implemented to safeguard the young people's health and safety.

Section 12-11.Requirement for the participation of the safety representative for employees aged under 18

The employer shall consult the safety representative in connection with the planning and execution of work to be performed by persons aged under 18.

In undertakings that do not have a safety representative, the employee representative shall be consulted.

Section 12-12.Requirement that a list be kept of young employees

Employers who employ persons aged under 18 shall keep a list of such employees. The list-keeping may be left out in undertakings with fewer than 20 employees.

The list shall contain the following information:

The list must be available to the Labour Inspection Authority and the safety representative.

Section 13-1.The undertaking's duty to be affiliated with an occupational health service

The employer is obliged to ensure that the undertaking is affiliated with an approved occupational health service if warranted by risk factors in the undertaking; see Chapter 2 of the Regulations concerning Administrative Arrangements.

Undertakings engaged in the following economic activities shall be affiliated with an occupational health service approved by the Labour Inspection Authority:

The Labour Inspection Authority may decide that undertakings that, based on their main activity, fall outside the scope of the first paragraph but that also engage in activities mentioned there, shall nonetheless be affiliated to an approved occupational health service for all or some of their activities.

The list of undertakings in the second paragraph shall be reviewed and updated every six years.

Section 13-2.The employer's use of the occupational health service

The employer shall ensure that the occupational health service

Section 13-3.Plans, annual reports and other reports

The employer shall, in cooperation with the occupational health service, prepare the following documentation to be included in the undertaking's systematic health, safety and environmental work:

Section 14-1.Requirement for health surveillance

When warranted by a risk situation, the employer shall provide adequate health surveillance.

Suitable medical examinations of employees shall always be carried out in accordance with the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work when the employees are exposed to:

Suitable medical examinations in accordance with the second paragraph shall be performed by, or under the supervision of, a competent medical practitioner.

Section 14-2.Registration and notification of work accidents and occupational diseases

The requirement for registration and notification of work accidents and occupational diseases also applies to family-run farms and agricultural undertakings with no employees.

Section 14-3.Medical practitioners' duty of notification in building and construction undertakings

The duty of medical practitioners to notify the Labour Inspection Authority also applies to undertakings in the building and construction industry with no employees.

Section 14-4.Examination of employees' eyesight in connection with work at computer screens

Employees who, on a regular basis and as a material part of their work, work at computer screens, shall be offered eye and eyesight examinations performed by a person with the requisite qualifications:

Employees shall be entitled to undergo an examination by an eye specialist if warranted by the outcome of the examination and tests mentioned in the first paragraph.

If warranted by the outcome of the test or examination, and if ordinary eyesight correction aids cannot be used, the employees shall receive special eyesight correction aids that are suited to their work.

The costs of special eyesight correction aids shall be covered by the employer.

Section 14-5.The employer's follow-up of the medical examinations

If an illness or other effect on health is identified through medical examinations that the medical practitioner believes can be due to occupational exposure, the employer shall implement necessary measures and, if necessary, relocate the employee to other work.

Section 14-6.Requirement for medical practitioners' competence

The medical practitioner who performs the medical examination shall have the necessary expertise in the area the examination concerns.

Section 14-7.The employer's coverage of expenses for medical examinations

The employer shall cover expenses that are not covered by the Norwegian National Insurance scheme in connection with medical examinations that the employer is to ensure that the employees undergo pursuant to this chapter.

Section 15-1.General requirements for the use of personal protective equipment

The employer shall make adequate personal protective equipment available to the employees if the risk of harm to life or health cannot be avoided using technical installations in the workplace, by changing work methods or by changing work processes.

The employer shall ensure that personal protective equipment is used when adequate protection of the employees' safety, health and welfare cannot be achieved in another manner.

The requirement also applies to undertakings in the building and construction industry with no employees.

Section 15-2.Additional requirements for personal protective equipment

The employer shall furnish personal protective equipment in accordance with the Regulations concerning the Performance of Work in connection with work involving:

The employer shall furnish expedient work clothes as necessary before any handling of dangerous goods in ports.

Section 15-3.Requirements for personal protective equipment

The employer shall ensure that personal protective equipment that is made available to the employees meets the requirements of the Regulations of 22 June 2018 No. 1019 relating to the construction, design and manufacture of personal protective equipment, and that it is marked accordingly with the CE mark. Section 49 (2) of these regulations, cf. Section 75 second paragraph of the Facilities Regulations, does not apply to offshore petroleum activities.

The employer shall ensure that personal protective equipment that is used in the workplace always provides satisfactory protection. The employer shall ensure in particular that

If the employer is required to use several types of personal protective equipment at the same time, it must be possible to combine the equipment without reducing the protective effect of the individual equipment units.

Section 15-4.Requirements for maintenance and inspection of personal protective equipment

The employer shall ensure that procedures are in place for the storage, maintenance, repair and replacement of personal protective equipment, and that the personal protective equipment is in good hygienic condition. If the same piece of personal protective equipment must be used by more than one person, the employer shall ensure that such use does not entail health-related or hygienic problems for the employees.

Section 15-5.Requirement for information about personal protective equipment

Before personal protective equipment is taken into use, the employer shall inform the employees about what hazards the equipment protects them from and ensure that they receive sufficient, understandable information about its use.

Section 16-1.Penal sanctions

Wilful or negligent violation of these regulations or decisions made pursuant to these regulations, or aiding and abetting thereto, is a criminal offence pursuant to Chapter 19 of the Working Environment Act.

Section 16-2.Fine for violations

If anybody acting on behalf of the undertaking violates provisions in these regulations or decisions made pursuant to these regulations, the undertaking may be fined pursuant to Section 18-10 of the Working Environment Act.

Section 16-3.Entry into force

These regulations enter into force on 1 January 2013.

The following regulations are repealed from the same date: