Regulation related to Systematic Health, Safety and Environmental Activities

• the working environment and safety of the work force
• prevention of damage to health or disturbances to the environment from products or consumer services
• protection of the external environment against pollution and improved treatment of waste

so as to ensure that the objectives of the health, safety and environment legislation are achieved.

The Regulations relating to Systematic Health, Environment and Safety Activities in Enterprises (Internal Control Regulations) were laid down by Royal Decree of 6 December 1996 and became effective on 1 January 1997. The regulations require the person responsible for an enterprise to ensure that requirements set out in the Working Environment Act, the Pollution Control Act, in legislation on prevention of fires and explosions, the Product Control Act, the Civil Defence Act, the Electrical Installations and Electrical Equipment Act and the Gene Technology Act are complied with in a systematic manner.

The link under Further Readings (right hand column) leads to a comprehensive brochure introducing the regulations, providing user guidelines and comments on the regulations.

The brochure and other material relating to working environment, regulations regarding systematic health, environmental and safety activities in enterprises, regulations regarding dismissals, holydays and other information regarding working conditions is found at the internet site of the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, see the link under Further Readings.

Note that new regulations on identity cards (ID cards) in the building and construction industry entered into force on 1 January 2008.

All enterprises, whether Norwegian or foreign, that perform work on building and construction sites are required to issue ID cards to their employees. ID cards must also be used by one-man enterprises (enterprises that do not have employees). Employees of foreign enterprises that operate in the same industry in Norway must also carry ID cards.

For more information, see the related topic in the right hand column.