This course is an introduction. Here you will find what the law requires of the training, and what is still the employer's job.
The right to necessary training
The employer must make sure that safety representatives (verneombud) and working environment committee (arbeidsmiljøutvalget, AMU) members receive the training that is necessary to carry out the position properly (Working Environment Act, arbeidsmiljøloven, section 6-5 and section 7-4, and section 3-18 of the Regulations on organisation, management and employee participation, forskriften). This is the employer's duty.
Safety representatives also have the right to take the training on courses run by the employees' organisations. The employer covers the costs.
What must the training contain?
Section 3-18 of the Regulations says that the training must:
- give an understanding of what a fully satisfactory working environment is, and of the roles of the employer, employees, AMU, safety representatives, occupational health service and Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet),
- give knowledge of ongoing HMS work (health, safety and environment), based on broad participation, good documentation and a systematic approach,
- give the knowledge to carry out a simple risk assessment of physical, psychosocial and organisational conditions,
- enable participants to see what promotes or hinders a good psychosocial and organisational working environment,
- enable participants to see the most important physical factors, including ergonomics, noise and indoor climate,
- give an introduction to the Working Environment Act and other relevant rules.
If chemical substances or biological material are used, the training must also cover the health hazards. Further training must be given in subjects that are especially important for the business. The chief safety representative (hovedverneombud) must have at least the same training as other safety representatives, plus what the role requires.
40 hours as a main rule
Section 3-19 of the Regulations says that the training must last at least 40 hours. The parties can agree together on shorter training if they consider it adequate given the nature and scale of the problems. If the parties disagree, the minimum of 40 hours applies, unless the Labour Inspection Authority has decided on more.
Carrying it out
- The training must be given as soon as possible after a new election, and preferably during working hours.
- The employer covers the expenses.
- If the training takes place during working hours, participants have time off with full pay. If it takes place in their free time, they are paid as for ordinary working hours, without an overtime supplement for the teaching time itself.
- The employer settles practical questions with the union representatives.
- The Labour Inspection Authority can order more extensive training, set minimum requirements for industries, and order training where it has not been planned or carried out (section 3-21).
What this course is, and is not
This is self-study that gives an introduction to the rules and can refresh your knowledge. It is not in itself the training that the employer must provide under sections 3-18 and 3-19. The certificate shows that you have completed the course. It is not a regulated qualification. It is the employer, together with the parties, who decides whether the training is sufficient, and who must be able to document it.
What the employer must still do
- Decide together with the parties what training and how many hours are adequate, and document it.
- Give training suited to your business's risks, industry and chemicals.
- Provide time, pay and coverage of expenses.
- Give the deputy the necessary training too: the rules for the safety representative also apply to the deputy (Regulations section 3-3).
- Make sure that safety representatives and the AMU are notified of accidents and the other information they are entitled to.
Training is not a one-off exercise. The need can change when the business, the industry or the rules change.
Remember
- Training is the employer's duty and must cover the content of Regulations section 3-18.
- The main rule is at least 40 hours. Shorter training can be agreed together.
- This course does not replace the employer's training. It is an introduction and a refresher.