On 1 January 2024, new changes to the Working Environment Act with regard to Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) will come into force in Norway. These changes are designed to strengthen the role of HSRs in promoting a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.
Key changes
The key changes to the Working Environment Act with regard to HSRs are as follows:
- The notion of «employee» is clarified. This means that it will be clearer who is entitled to be elected as an HSR and who is entitled to be represented by an HSR.
- The scope of an employer’s responsibility in a group is expanded. This means that employers will have a responsibility to ensure that HSRs have access to information and resources from all companies in the group, even if they are not directly employed by those companies.
- HSRs will have a stronger right to training. Employers will be required to provide HSRs with training on their rights and obligations, as well as on the specific hazards and risks in the workplace.
- More companies must establish working environment committees and HSRs. This includes companies with as few as 10 employees, provided that the company has hazardous work or a large number of temporary employees.
- HSRs will have a stronger right to information and consultation. Employers will be required to provide HSRs with information on all matters related to the working environment, including plans for changes to the workplace or work processes. Employers will also be required to consult with HSRs on all matters related to the working environment.
Impact of the changes
The new changes to the Working Environment Act are expected to have a positive impact on the role and effectiveness of HSRs in Norway. The changes will make it clearer who is entitled to be elected as an HSR and who is entitled to be represented by an HSR. The changes will also expand the scope of an employer’s responsibility in a group and require more companies to establish working environment committees and HSRs. Additionally, the changes will strengthen HSRs’ right to training, information, and consultation.
Overall, the new changes to the Working Environment Act are designed to strengthen the role of HSRs in promoting a safe and healthy working environment for all employees in Norway.
Implications for employers
Employers should be aware of the new changes to the Working Environment Act and take steps to ensure that they are in compliance. Employers should also review their policies and procedures related to HSRs to ensure that they are aligned with the new requirements.
Some of the key things that employers should do to prepare for the new changes include:
- Identifying all employees who are entitled to be elected as HSRs and who are entitled to be represented by HSRs.
- Establishing working environment committees and HSRs in all companies with hazardous work or a large number of temporary employees, even if the company has as few as 10 employees.
- Providing HSRs with training on their rights and obligations, as well as on the specific hazards and risks in the workplace.
- Providing HSRs with information on all matters related to the working environment, including plans for changes to the workplace or work processes.
- Consulting with HSRs on all matters related to the working environment.
By taking these steps, employers can help to ensure that they are complying with the new requirements and that they are supporting HSRs in their important role of promoting a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.