This includes, among other things, work on scaffolding, roofs, ladders, work platforms, and masts. Falls account for a large proportion of injuries and fatalities, making it critical to comply with laws and regulations designed to ensure the safety of both workers and employers. In this article, we take a closer look at the authorities’ requirements and what they mean in practice.
What does the law say?
In Norway, work at heights is regulated by several laws and regulations, with the Working Environment Act and the Regulations on the Performance of Work being the most important. These provide employers with clear guidelines on how to ensure safety in the workplace.
The Working Environment Act
The Working Environment Act requires employers to ensure a fully safe working environment. This includes:
- Employer’s responsibility (Section 3-1): The employer shall ensure that systematic health, safety, and environmental work is carried out at all levels of the enterprise.
- Employee’s responsibility (Section 2-3): Employees shall participate in the design, implementation, and follow-up of the organization’s systematic health, safety, and environmental work.
Read also: Fall protection in the workplace: Do you know what to do if a colleague falls?
Regulations on the Performance of Work
These regulations contain more detailed requirements regarding work at heights, including:
- Risk assessment of work at heights (Section 17-1): When planning and performing work at heights, the employer shall assess the risks to ensure that the work is performed safely. Among other things, consideration must be given to the nature, height, and duration of the work, as well as the surface and weather conditions.
- Requirements for measures (Section 17-6): The employer shall implement necessary measures based on the health and safety risks identified in the risk assessment. Examples of this include the selection of work equipment, proper fall protection equipment, and ergonomic considerations.
- Training (Section 10): Employees working at heights must receive the necessary training to provide knowledge regarding the construction, operation, performance characteristics, and intended use of equipment, as well as its maintenance and inspection.
Consequences of non-compliance
Failure to meet the requirements for working at heights can have serious consequences:
- Serious accidents: Inadequate training or improper use of equipment can lead to falls resulting in life-threatening injuries or death.
- Financial penalties: Employers risk fines and orders from the Labor Inspection Authority for non-compliance with the law.
- Reputational damage: Accidents and a poor safety culture can damage the company’s reputation and erode trust among employees and customers.
How to meet the requirements
To ensure compliance with the law, employers should:
- Make the workplace safe
Before work begins, the employer must assess whether it is possible to perform the task without a risk of falling and implement necessary measures. This may include the use of scaffolding, guardrails, or other safety measures.
- Ensure proper training
Employees must receive both theoretical and practical training in the use of equipment. This includes understanding how the equipment works, is maintained, and is used in different situations. Fall protection courses are an example of training that falls under work at heights.
- Documentation
It is the employer’s duty to document that training has been completed and that all equipment has been inspected and maintained. The documentation must be available for inspection by the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority.
Although the employer bears primary responsibility, the employee also has a responsibility to contribute to safety. Employees are required to follow instructions, use required equipment correctly, report defects and risks in the workplace, and participate in training.
It is easy to underestimate the dangers of working at heights. By knowing what the dangers are, what risks you face, and what measures can be taken, you are well on your way to ensuring a safer workplace.
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