In Norway, the requirement for occupational health care (BHT) is set by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate (Arbeidstilsynet), which assesses the risks of the working environment in different activities. In some sectors, the risk of illness, injury or psychosocial strain is higher, and it is therefore compulsory for companies to cooperate with an approved BHT service in these areas.
Are you active in the construction industry? You must have a contract with BHT.
Construction is one of the activities identified by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate for which it is compulsory to contract a recognised (godkjent) occupational health care (BHT) provider due to the increased risks in the working environment. The requirement applies regardless of the size of the company if the nature of the work poses an increased risk to the health or safety of workers.
The main reasons why BHT is mandatory in the construction sector:
Are you in the cleaning business? You must have a contract with BHT.
Cleaning activities are included in the list of activities defined by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate for which a contract with a recognised (godkjent) occupational health care (BHT) provider is mandatory due to the increased risk in the working environment. The requirement applies regardless of the size of the company if the nature of the work poses an increased risk to the health or safety of workers.
The main reasons why BHT is mandatory in the cleaning sector:
Are you active in the transport sector? You must have a contract with BHT.
Transport activities are included in the list of activities defined by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate (Arbeidstilsynet) for which it is compulsory to cooperate with a recognised (godkjent) occupational health care (BHT) provider due to the increased risk in the working environment. The requirement applies regardless of the size of the undertaking if the nature of the work poses an increased risk to the health or safety of workers.
The main reasons why BHT is mandatory in the transport sector:
Are you in the car repair business? You must have a contract with BHT.
Car repair activities are included in the list of activities defined by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate for which it is compulsory to contract a recognised (godkjent) occupational health care (BHT) provider due to the increased risks in the working environment. The requirement applies regardless of the size of the company if the nature of the work poses an increased risk to the health or safety of workers.
The main reasons why BHT is mandatory in the automotive repair sector:
Are you in the catering or restaurant business? You must have a contract with BHT.
Catering and restaurant activities are included in the list of activities identified by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate for which it is compulsory to contract a recognised (godkjent) occupational health care (BHT) provider due to the increased risk in the working environment. The requirement applies regardless of the size of the establishment if the nature of the work poses an increased risk to the health or safety of workers.
The main reasons why BHT is mandatory in the restaurant sector:
Are you a hairdresser or beauty care professional? You must have a contract with BHT.
Hairdressing and beauty care activities are included in the list of activities defined by the Norwegian Labour Inspectorate for which it is compulsory to contract a recognised (godkjent) occupational health care (BHT) provider due to the increased risks in the working environment. The requirement applies regardless of the size of the undertaking if the nature of the work poses an increased risk to the health or safety of workers.
The main reasons why BHT is mandatory in the hairdressing and beauty care sector:
The Bedriftshelsetjeneste (BHT) service is needed to ensure that the company receives professional and legally compliant assistance on occupational health, safety and occupational health issues. BHT not only helps to meet the requirements of the Arbeidstilsynet, but also to reduce the risk of occupational diseases, accidents and work-related health problems in a preventive way.
No. The purpose of BHT is much broader than just preparing for inspections. BHT helps the company to work systematically on prevention, improvement of the working environment, risk assessment and the occupational health of workers in their day-to-day activities. When used properly, the BHT service helps to reduce sickness absence, improve the working environment and strengthen the safety culture in the company.
BHT helps the employer to understand the risks in the working environment more clearly and to ensure that the company operates in accordance with the Norwegian HMS and working environment requirements. BHT's experts advise on preventive measures, occupational health monitoring, risk assessments and improving the working environment. This helps to reduce the risk of accidents, occupational diseases, sickness absence and potential violations.
For workers, BHT means a safer, healthier and better-maintained working environment. BHT helps to ensure that occupational risks are identified and addressed in a timely manner, and that workers receive professional support on work-related health and work environment issues. Increased focus on prevention helps reduce the risk of health problems and injuries in the workplace.
If an undertaking that is required by Norwegian law to have a Bedriftshelsetjeneste (BHT) does not comply with this obligation, the Arbeidstilsynet will carry out a very detailed inspection and issue an obligation (pålegg) to remedy the infringement within a very short time limit. Failure to comply with the obligation may result in administrative fines (tvangsmulkt) and, in the case of serious or repeated infringements, additional restrictions or even suspension of the work.
However, the most important risk is often not the fines, but the consequences for workers' health and the company's liability. Without BHT, a company may not be able to detect work-related health problems, occupational diseases or hazardous factors in the working environment in time. In the event of an accident or occupational disease, the absence of BHT can be an important factor in assessing the employer's liability and whether the company has fulfilled its duty to systematically address the occupational health and safety of workers.
