The Norwegian Labor Inspectorate’s website states the following: «For certain types of work with particular health risks, the employer has a duty to ensure that the employees have health examinations carried out.
For some other types of work, the employer is required to offer health examinations to the employees».
All companies have a duty to map which hazards may arise or are a regular occurrence in daily work.
The legislation distinguishes between the duty to carry out health examinations and the duty to offer health examinations.
In any case, the company must first map any potential hazards, then the company is obliged to prevent and prevent the development of work-related health injuries.
Work that entails an obligation to carry out health examinations includes:
- Work with asbestos
- Work that involves noise
- Rock work
- Work with biological factors
- Work with dangerous chemicals
- Work with the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation
- Exposure to electromagnetic fields that exceed the limit values
- Work with artificial optical radiation that may involve the risk of skin and eye damage
- Diving
- Smoke and chemical diving
Work that entails an obligation to offer health examinations includes:
- Work at a computer screen
- Work at sewage plants
- Work that involves exposure to mechanical vibrations
- Work with drilling-related extraction industry for land-based sector
- Night work*
*Night work is considered work between 2100 and at 0600. or another period of at least eight hours that includes the time between 0000 and 0600. (Working Environment Act §10-11 Night work).
Hearing tests must be carried out where employees are exposed to noise at work.
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that this is carried out.
A well-known misconception about hearing controls is that many people think you avoid this when you use hearing protection, this is not true.
The requirement applies to everyone who is exposed to noise above 80 dB (A) or 130 dB (C) Peak.
Purpose of hearing screening
- Help prevent work-related injuries
- Detect changes that may be caused by noise in the workplace
- Follow-up of deviations
- Documentation if the injury is so serious that the person concerned cannot work
If it turns out that the employees have suffered noise damage, the company must reassess the noise conditions and implement new measures to prevent such damage.
The first hearing test must be carried out no later than six months after appointment.
This is what we call a zero-point test.
A new test must then be carried out after one year, and then checked at least every 3 years. Or more frequently if the risk assessment indicates it.
References: Regulations on the execution of work §14-11, §14-5 and the Working Environment Act chapter 5.