The occupational health service (bedriftshelsetjeneste, BHT) is an adviser to the business on working environment matters. The service often has expertise in occupational medicine, ergonomics, working environment and organisation. Among other things, it can help you with risk assessments, surveys and follow-up of sickness absence.
When must you have a BHT?
The rule is in section 3-3 of the Working Environment Act (arbeidsmiljøloven) and in chapter 13 of the regulations on organisation, management and employee participation.
- When the risk calls for it. The employer must link the business to an occupational health service if the risks in the business call for it.
- In certain industries. The regulations (section 13-1) have a list of industries in which all businesses must be linked to a BHT, however small they are. The list is set up by industry codes and includes, among others, forestry, aquaculture, mining, large parts of manufacturing, construction, road transport, hotels and restaurants, cleaning, nurseries and schools, health and care services, hairdressers and car repair. Office industries such as accounting, office services and travel agencies are not on it. The list has many more industries. See section 13-1 for the full overview.
You can find your industry code in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregisteret) at the Brønnøysund Register Centre. If you are unsure, ask the Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) or a BHT.
The law does not require a BHT just because you have many employees. It is risk and industry that decide.
What must the service meet?
The service must be approved by the Labour Inspection Authority under the regulations on administrative arrangements. The Labour Inspection Authority keeps a register of approved occupational health services. Check that the service is listed there before you sign an agreement. The service must also be suited to the risk that triggered the duty.
What should a BHT do?
The service is an independent, professional adviser. It helps the employer, the employees, the safety representative (verneombud) and the working environment committee (AMU). Typical tasks are:
- survey and assess risk in the business,
- give advice on measures, for example for noise, chemicals, ergonomics and the psychosocial working environment,
- assist with sickness absence and adaptation of work,
- take part in the AMU, in businesses that have one,
- prepare plans and annual reports on the work.
The regulations have rules on how the employer must use the service (section 13-2) and on plans and reports (section 13-3).
What a BHT does not do
A BHT does not take over your responsibility. You are still responsible for making sure that the requirements of the law are followed. The service gives advice. You must assess it yourself, decide on measures and follow up.
A BHT is also not the same as a GP, and the service must not give you information about the employees' health. It has a duty of confidentiality.
Use the service actively
A BHT you only have on paper is of little use. Here is how to get more out of it:
- Give the service access to risk assessments and non-conformity reports.
- Invite the BHT to safety representative inspections and to AMU meetings.
- Ask for help early, when you plan changes.
- Use the annual report in the review of the HMS work.
Remember
- A BHT is required in certain industries, and otherwise when the risk calls for it.
- The service must be approved by the Labour Inspection Authority.
- A BHT gives advice. The responsibility is yours.
- A BHT has a seat in the AMU, but no vote.