September 02, 2024
In the construction and cleaning industries in Norway, HMS cards (Helse, Miljø og Sikkerhet) play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of workers. They also confirm the legality of employment. HSE cards, or health and safety identification cards, are mandatory for all employees in the construction, cleaning, and automotive sectors. Below, we remind you of the basic information regarding these identifiers.
An HSE card (HMS-kort) is an identification card required for employees in industries such as construction, cleaning, and certain car care services. This card contains the employee's photo, name, and the name of the company they work for. The primary purpose of HSE cards is to confirm that both the employer and employee are registered in the appropriate Norwegian public registers. HSE cards help combat illegal employment and improve workplace safety (Arbeidstilsynet).
To obtain an HSE card , a company must be registered in one of the Brønnøysund registers (Enhetsregisteret) and have a tax identification number (organisasjonsnummer). The employer orders cards for their employees through the hmskort.no portal. However, the registration of a foreign company branch (NUF) or a Norwegian company in the Brønnøysund register is not sufficient. The employee must also be registered with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) on the appropriate forms. Norwegian and foreign employers in Norway are also obliged to send a report on employment and remuneration, known as A-melding. The cards must be worn visibly during work, and their validity is two years, provided the employee continues to work for the company (Arbeidstilsynet).
In the construction industry, HSE cards are required for all employees present on the construction site. Employees must show their HMS cards upon request by appropriate control services, such as Arbeidstilsynet, the police, or representatives of the investor. Some investors refuse workers entry to the construction site without an identifier. They have the right to do so because the information encoded on the card confirms the legality of the employee's stay and employment or their delegation to Norway (Arbeidstilsynet).
In the cleaning industry, the obligation to have HSE cards applies to both companies and self-employed individuals. The company must obtain approval from Arbeidstilsynet before starting to provide cleaning services, and only then can they order HSE cards for employees. These cards must be held by all employees, including owners and self-employed individuals performing cleaning work personally (Arbeidstilsynet ).
Since July 1, 2022, companies offering car care services, tire changes, and wheel storage must be approved by Arbeidstilsynet and equip their employees with HMS cards. In the case of new hires, the cards must be ordered immediately upon employment.
Employers must regularly check the validity of their employees' HMS cards and ensure their update in case of data changes. After the end of employment, the cards must be returned and destroyed by the employer (Arbeidstilsynet ). Employees must also be aware that the identifier is used by the police and other authorities during inspections.
Possessing valid HMS cards is crucial for legal operations in the construction and cleaning industries in Norway. This ensures compliance with regulations, increases workplace safety, and supports the fight against illegal employment. Companies must be aware of their obligations related to ordering and updating these identifiers to avoid legal sanctions.
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HMS-kort, HSE Identification Card
In the construction and cleaning industries in Norway, HMS cards (Helse, Miljø og Sikkerhet) play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of workers. They also confirm the legality of employment. HSE cards, or health and safety identification cards, are mandatory for all employees in the construction, cleaning, and automotive sectors. Below, we remind you of the basic information regarding these identifiers.
What is an HSE card?
An HSE card (HMS-kort) is an identification card required for employees in industries such as construction, cleaning, and certain car care services. This card contains the employee's photo, name, and the name of the company they work for. The primary purpose of HSE cards is to confirm that both the employer and employee are registered in the appropriate Norwegian public registers. HSE cards help combat illegal employment and improve workplace safety (Arbeidstilsynet).
Procedure for obtaining an HMS card
To obtain an HSE card , a company must be registered in one of the Brønnøysund registers (Enhetsregisteret) and have a tax identification number (organisasjonsnummer). The employer orders cards for their employees through the hmskort.no portal. However, the registration of a foreign company branch (NUF) or a Norwegian company in the Brønnøysund register is not sufficient. The employee must also be registered with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) on the appropriate forms. Norwegian and foreign employers in Norway are also obliged to send a report on employment and remuneration, known as A-melding. The cards must be worn visibly during work, and their validity is two years, provided the employee continues to work for the company (Arbeidstilsynet).
For more information on registering foreign employees with the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), read our article on forms RF-1198 and RF-1199.
HSE cards in the construction industry
In the construction industry, HSE cards are required for all employees present on the construction site. Employees must show their HMS cards upon request by appropriate control services, such as Arbeidstilsynet, the police, or representatives of the investor. Some investors refuse workers entry to the construction site without an identifier. They have the right to do so because the information encoded on the card confirms the legality of the employee's stay and employment or their delegation to Norway (Arbeidstilsynet).
HSE cards in the cleaning industry
In the cleaning industry, the obligation to have HSE cards applies to both companies and self-employed individuals. The company must obtain approval from Arbeidstilsynet before starting to provide cleaning services, and only then can they order HSE cards for employees. These cards must be held by all employees, including owners and self-employed individuals performing cleaning work personally (
Important changes and requirements
Since July 1, 2022, companies offering car care services, tire changes, and wheel storage must be approved by Arbeidstilsynet and equip their employees with HMS cards. In the case of new hires, the cards must be ordered immediately upon employment.
Control and other requirements
Employers must regularly check the validity of their employees' HMS cards and ensure their update in case of data changes. After the end of employment, the cards must be returned and destroyed by the employer (
Summary
Possessing valid HMS cards is crucial for legal operations in the construction and cleaning industries in Norway. This ensures compliance with regulations, increases workplace safety, and supports the fight against illegal employment. Companies must be aware of their obligations related to ordering and updating these identifiers to avoid legal sanctions.
Key knowledge about HMS-kort (identification cards) in the construction and cleaning industries:
- Every company in Norway, including branches of foreign companies (NUF), must equip employees with an identifier.
- Identifiers are issued only for companies registered with the appropriate offices and registers.
- The HMS card is issued personally to the employee.
- The identifier is valid for two years.
- During the production of the identifier, the employee can use an individual QR code.
- An investor has the right to refuse entry to a subcontractor's employee if they do not have a valid HMS card.
- Norwegian Labour Inspection can stop construction works or other activity if the employees are not equipped with HSE cards.
- The Labour Inspection can also impose fees on companies that violate HSE cards regulations.
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For more information, visit the Arbeidstilsynet website .
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