The working environment committee (arbeidsmiljøutvalget, AMU) is the business's body for cooperation on the working environment. The rules are in chapter 7 of the Working Environment Act (arbeidsmiljøloven) and in chapter 3 of the Regulations on organisation, management and employee participation (forskriften).
When must the business have an AMU?
Under section 7-1, an AMU must be set up in:
- businesses that regularly employ at least 30 employees,
- businesses with 10 to 30 employees, if one of the parties demands it,
- businesses with fewer than 30 employees, if the Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) decides it because the working conditions call for it.
The limits changed on 1 January 2024. Older sources often give 50 and 20 employees.
When counting, the average number of employees in the last calendar year is used. Everyone who works at least 20 hours a week is counted (Regulations section 3-7).
Who sits on the AMU?
- The employer and the employees have an equal number of representatives.
- The employer appoints its own representatives. The employer, or a representative from top management, must always be included.
- The chief safety representative (hovedverneombud) is one of the employees' representatives and has the right to vote. If there is only one safety representative (verneombud), that person must be a member.
- The employees elect their other representatives. The election is written and secret. All employees except the chief executive can vote.
- The occupational health service (bedriftshelsetjenesten, BHT) is represented by at least one permanent member, but without the right to vote. Staff of the occupational health service cannot be elected as representatives of the employer or the employees.
- Members have deputies and serve for two years.
- The names of the members must be announced by a notice.
Chair and meetings
- The chair rotates between the employer's side and the employees' side. The chair is chosen for one year at a time. If the parties cannot agree who starts, lots are drawn.
- If votes are tied, the chair's vote decides.
- The AMU decides for itself how often it meets, but should normally hold four meetings a year. If at least two members demand it, the AMU must hold a meeting (Regulations section 3-16).
- Minutes must be written. When there is a vote, the views of both the majority and the minority are recorded.
- The AMU first discusses matters to reach agreement. If that fails, it votes.
- The AMU can set up sub-committees and, in businesses with several operating units, local AMUs.
What does the AMU do?
The AMU must work for a fully satisfactory working environment (section 7-2). Among other things the committee must deal with:
- the occupational health service and any internal safety service,
- training, instruction and information activities concerning the working environment,
- plans for construction, purchase of machines, rationalisation and changed work processes,
- building up and maintaining systematic health, safety and environment (HMS) work,
- health and welfare questions linked to working-time arrangements.
The AMU must also:
- review reports on occupational diseases, accidents and near misses, find the causes, and make sure the employer prevents a repeat,
- review occupational hygiene reports and measurements,
- where necessary to protect life and health, order the employer to carry out specific improvement measures. The AMU must set a deadline. If the employer cannot do it, the matter goes to the Labour Inspection Authority,
- send an annual report to the business's bodies and the employees' organisations.
Training and costs
The rules in section 6-5 also apply to AMU members (section 7-4). They have the right to training, necessary time and protection against loss of income. The employer covers the costs.
AMU members have a duty of confidentiality, in the same way as safety representatives.
Remember
- AMU: at least 30 employees, or 10 to 30 when a party demands it.
- An equal number from each side. The chair rotates. The chair's vote decides when votes are tied.
- The occupational health service takes part without the right to vote.
- The AMU can order the employer to take measures to protect life and health.