Norwegian working life is built on the idea that employees help to decide about their own working environment. This happens through the safety representative (verneombud), the working environment committee (arbeidsmiljøutvalg, AMU) and employee representatives (tillitsvalgte).
Safety representative (verneombud)
The safety representative is the employees' representative in matters concerning the working environment (Working Environment Act, arbeidsmiljøloven, chapter 6).
- Every business covered by the law must elect a safety representative (section 6-1).
- In businesses with fewer than five employees, the parties can agree another arrangement in writing, including that there will be no safety representative. Such an agreement normally lasts for two years unless otherwise set. The Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) can still decide that the business must have a safety representative.
- If there are more than ten employees, more than one safety representative can be elected. If you have more than one, a chief safety representative (hovedverneombud) must be elected to coordinate the work.
- The safety representative must make sure that the business is arranged and maintained, and that work is carried out, so that the safety, health and welfare of employees are protected (section 6-2).
- In case of immediate danger to life or health that cannot be averted straight away in another way, the safety representative can stop the work until the Labour Inspection Authority has taken a position (section 6-3). The safety representative is not liable for damages for loss that the stoppage causes the business.
Working environment committee (AMU)
The AMU (aml section 7-1) is a body for cooperation between the employer, the employees and the occupational health service.
- Businesses that regularly have at least 30 employees must have an AMU.
- Businesses with between 10 and 30 employees must set up an AMU if one of the parties demands it.
- The Labour Inspection Authority can decide that businesses with fewer than 30 employees must have an AMU when working conditions call for it.
- In the AMU, the employer's and the employees' sides are equally represented. The occupational health service takes part, but has no vote.
The limits were lowered by an amendment that came into force on 1 January 2024. Before that, the limit was 50 employees, and 20 to 50 employees when a party demanded it. On the same date, the limit for agreeing an arrangement other than a safety representative changed from ten to five employees. Older sources may therefore give other numbers. Always check the current wording on lovdata.no.
Training of safety representatives and AMU members
The employer must make sure that safety representatives and AMU members receive the training that is necessary to carry out the role properly (section 6-5 and section 7-4). The regulations on organisation, management and employee participation give more detailed rules:
- The content is described in section 3-18 of the regulations.
- As a main rule, the training must be at least 40 hours (section 3-19). The parties can agree on shorter training if they jointly find it acceptable given the risks and needs of the business.
- The employer pays the costs of the training, and the role must not lead to loss of income (section 6-5).
Note that the 40-hour main rule applies to safety representatives and AMU members. It does not apply to the employer. For the employer, there is no such rule today.
Employee participation in practice
Participation means more than being informed. You must:
- involve employees and their representatives early when you plan changes,
- give good information and time to give their views,
- discuss important matters, for example a new working-time arrangement, reorganisation and new working methods,
- involve the safety representative in the risk assessment and in following up accidents.
When changes are made in the business, the employer must ensure information, participation and skills development (section 4-2).
Remember
- All businesses must have a safety representative. In businesses with fewer than five employees, something else can be agreed in writing.
- AMU: at least 30 employees, or 10 to 30 when a party demands it.
- 40 hours is the main rule for safety representatives and AMU members. Shorter training can be agreed.
- The safety representative can stop work when there is danger to life or health.