Is it true that managers are required to complete HSE training?

Yes, it's true that it is mandatory for all managers to complete training in health, safety, and environment work.  In conjunction with the new Working Environment Act, employers are legally required to complete HSE training.  You can find the requirements for training in the Working Environment Act, section 3-5.  The goals for HSE training, and what it should comprise, are outlined in the guidelines developed by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.

There are several ways to complete this training.  There are many different course offerings on the market.
Mintra (in collaboration with the Federation of Norwegian Industries) is one of several companies who offer training. 

Our course was developed by national and regional branches of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), and is distributed by Mintra, through www.trainingportal.no.  Business executives who complete this training can be certain that they satisfy their legal obligations.

If you would like to read more about the course, “HSE for managers”, click here.

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We have many employees in our organisation who do not speak Norwegian.  We deal with a number of chemicals.  Are we responsible for informing everyone about the risks and how they must/can protect themselves?


Yes, according to the Chemical Regulations, chapter 9, employers are required to provide information and training on hazardous chemicals found in the workplace.  It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that training is provided in a language the employees can understand.

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Our organisation deals with a number of chemicals, and we are in the process of developing training initiatives on handling chemicals for our employees.  Does the e-learning course, “HSE Chemical Course”, satisfy the training requirements stipulated in the Chemical Regulations?


The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority estimates that over 30% of employees who handle chemicals do not receive the training to which they are entitled.  Nevertheless, employers are legally required to provide information and training to everyone who works with chemicals.  You can read more in the Chemical Regulations, chapter 9.

The course, “HSE Chemical Course”, is a basic course in handling chemicals.  The course provides information on laws and regulations, HSE datasheets, exposure, risk evaluations, chemical handling, substitution, using personal protective equipment, etc.  This course is appropriate for everyone who works with, or may come in contact with chemicals.  The “HSE Chemical Course” will ensure that everyone in your organisation has a common understanding and consciousness of how to handle chemicals.

The Chemical Regulations, chapter 9, state that training must be adapted to individual employees and potential work hazards.  In addition, training is required for hazardous chemicals related to your business activities; addressing associated risks, applicable limit values, and correct use of work equipment, etc.  This is practical training and is usually conducted in the workplace, either by your own experienced employees, or a field professional.

The “HSE Chemical Course” is intended to supplement this practical training.

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In our organisation, all personnel participating in operations with offshore cranes (lifting equipment operators and deck operators) are certified in accordance with the NORSOK R-003 standard.  Are there requirements for maintaining and renewing this competence?


Yes, all competence required by the NORSOK R-003 standard must be maintained.  The following areas should be particularly emphasised during review training:

- Applicable regulations and standards
- Internal governing documents
- Emergency procedures
- Correcting unwanted conduct

Competence can either be maintained internally or through external coursing.  Competence maintenance must be documented.

It is recommended that offshore crane operators complete regular review training at least every third year.  Training simulators should be used when training operators.

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How do I get access to courses on Trainingportal?

There are two ways to get access to courses on Trainingportal.  You can either enrol yourself, or you can ask your local administrator (in your organisation) to enrol you.

Alternative 1: Register Yourself
Click on the link “New user?  Click here to register” and follow the instructions provided. After you are registered as a user on the portal, you can enrol yourself in courses and pay with Visa or MasterCard.  You get access to the course immediately after the payment transaction.

Alternative 2: Contact Your Local Administrator
Enrolment in courses on Trainingportal.no often goes through your company's local administrator.  The local administrator can create new users and enrol them in courses.  Talk to your Training Manager to find out if your company has a local administrator on Trainingportal.

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The Working Environment Act, section 3-5, states that all managers are required to complete training in health, safety, and environment work.  Are there similar requirements for HSE training for employees?

Yes, the Working Environment Act, section 3-2, describes the employer's responsibility for maintaining safety in the workplace.  Here, you can read that employees are entitled to receive necessary training, practice, and instruction to perform their work safely.

This means that all employees are required to receive HSE training and acquire proper competence.  The content of the training depends on the work operations an employee must complete and the type of risk he is exposed to in his work.

The requirements for HSE training for employees are described in the Working Environment Act.

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What is Trainingportal?

Trainingportal.no is a web-based learning management system (LMS) that helps you, and your organisation, to set up, administrate, and organise learning content.  On the portal, course users can easily log in to gain access to various courses. As courses are completed, they are logged directly in the system. Course users can print out Certificates of Completion and get an overview of their courses. Similarly, managers and administrators can use the portal to follow-up on course users, and see progression and results for the entire organisation.

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We are a company of approximately 60 employees.  Does our company need to set up a Working Environment Committee (AMU)?

Yes, all companies with a minimum of 50 employees are required to have a working environment committee, with representatives from the employer, the employees, and safety and health personnel.  A working environment committee must also be established in organisations with between 20 and 50 employees, if anyone in the organisation so requires.  The local Labour Inspection Authority must be notified when a working environment committee is established.  Read more in the Working Environment Act, chapter 7, Working Environment Committee.

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I have been a member of the Working Environment Committee (AMU) at my company for one year, but have still not received any training.  What are my rights when it comes to training?

All members of a working environment committee are entitled to necessary training.  Training shall be completed as soon as possible after being elected to the committee, and shall provide knowledge of:

- How safety and environment work should be conducted
- Ergonomics, noise, lighting, climate, and employee welfare initiatives
- Preventing accidents, using personal protective equipment, etc.
- The Working Environment Act and other relevant regulations

Further training can be necessary if it is significant for the working environment and to the committee's work; chemical health risks, for example.

Training should normally span at least 40 hours.  It shall be preferably during working hours, and participants shall receive their full salaries, and be relieved of their regular duties.  If training is conducted during off hours, participants shall receive their ordinary salaries, without overtime pay.

Safety deputies and employee representatives are entitled to receive training through courses arranged by employee organisations should they so desire.

Employers shall cover the cost of training.  Read more about requirements for training for safety deputies and members of the working environment committee in the Regulation on safety representatives and working environment committees, chapter 12.

Læreplaner for Flens og Ventil kan lastes ned her: http://www.olf.no/hms/prosjekt/gasslekkasje/?51474

OLF’s bransjekrav er knyttet opp mot følgende retningslinjer innenfor fire fagområder:

- 118 OLF håndbok i flensearbeid
- 119 OLF håndbok i ventilteknikk
- 120 OLF håndbok “fittings”
- 121 OLF håndbok i prosesssikkerhet

For mer informasjon henvises til OLF’s prosjektleder for arbeidsgruppen innen ventiler: Per-Christian Irgens ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

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