Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - Norway (Ratification: 1979)

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Legislation. The Committee notes the information in the Government’s report that Regulation No. 398 on noise and Regulation No. 582 on the exposure of workers to risks from physical agents (vibration) are now covered by the following regulations: Regulation of 6 December 2011 No. 1355, concerning organization, management and employee participation; Regulation 6 December 2011 No. 1356, concerning workplaces; Regulation of 6 December 2011 No. 1357, concerning performance of work; and Regulation 6 December 2011 No. 1358, concerning action levels and absolute limits for physical and chemical factors in the working environment. Noting the Government’s indication that these regulatory changes are only structural and entail no substantive changes, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the specific provisions of these regulations which give effect to the Convention, and requests that a translation of these provisions be provided, if possible in one of the working languages of the ILO.

Article 8 of the Convention. Exposure limits. The Committee notes the information that the list of advisory limits of administrative standards for pollution in the work atmosphere has been replaced, as of 1 January 2013, by the list of administrative standards for pollution in the work atmosphere, as regulated by Regulation of 6 December 2011 No. 1358, concerning action levels and absolute limits for physical and chemical factors in the working environment, and that the limits are now absolute.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the labour inspectorate supervises compliance with regulation and procedures mainly though inspections. It further notes the statistical information on orders and the number of which have led to coercive fines for the period covering 2010–13. The Committee notes that there were a total of 245 orders in 2010, leading to 12 decisions of coercive fines; 640 orders in 2011, leading to 87 decisions of coercive fines; 152 orders in 2012, leading to three decisions of coercive fines; and 1378 orders in 2013, leading to 101 decisions of coercive fines. No decisions to halt activities were registered during this period. Noting the important increase of orders and fines in 2013, the Committee would welcome information on the reasons of such a rise and the nature of these orders. It requests the Government to continue to provide information regarding the application of the Convention in practice.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. Protection against exposure to noise and vibration. In addition to the new legislation referred to in its comment this year on the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Committee notes the adoption of Ordinance No. 1501 of 2006 to amend Ordinance No. 804 of 2005, respecting protection against mechanical vibrations, which gives further effect to Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention and which according to the Government is in conformity with EU Directive 2002/44/EC. The Committee notes, in particular, the provisions requiring a detailed risk assessment of exposure to vibrations and the setting of daily exposure limits for the body at 1.1 m/s² and for vibrations of the hand and arm at 5.0 m/s². The Committee also notes the adoption of Ordinance No. 456 of 2006, respecting protection against noise at the workplace which provides, inter alia, that, when there is a risk of possible hearing damage, the employer shall provide the employees with an offer to go through a suitable medical examination, including a hearing check and that the employer is required to ensure that employees that have been exposed to noise exceeding LEX, 8 h = 80 dB or LeP, peak = 130 dB go through such examinations. The Committee also notes the practical guide “Workers exposed to noise – Hearing check” produced by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority in 2005 and amended in 2006. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on legislative measures undertaken with regard to the Convention.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee requests the Government to provide relevant information regarding the application in practice of the abovementioned regulations related to vibrations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. Exposure limits for vibration. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Directorate of Labour Inspection is currently in the process of preparing regulations to implement EU Directive 2002/44/EC on minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration). The Government specifies that the implementing regulations on vibrations must enter into force until 6 July 2005, which is the deadline established under the EU Directive 2002/44/EC. The Government further indicates that the Regulation of 22 July 1993 on noise at work will be amended, following the provisions contained in the EU Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise). The Committee notes that the deadline for implementation of the latter EU Directive is 15 February 2006. The Committee hopes that the new regulations will be in line with the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention, and that the Government will be in a position to adopt the regulations on vibration and to amend the Regulation on noise at work, 1993, in the near future, even before the deadlines set forth by the EU Directives.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report and the information supplied in response to its comments. It further notes the amendments that were made in 2002 to the Machinery Regulation No. 820 of 19 August 1994, to implement the respective EU Directives.

Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. Exposure limits for vibration. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Directorate of Labour Inspection is currently in the process of preparing regulations to implement EU Directive 2002/44/EC on minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration). The Government specifies that the implementing regulations on vibrations must enter into force until 6 July 2005, which is the deadline established under the EU Directive 2002/44/EC. The Government further indicates that the Regulation of 22 July 1993 on noise at work will be amended, following the provisions contained in the EU Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise). The Committee notes that the deadline for implementation of the latter EU Directive is 15 February 2006. The Committee hopes that the new regulations will be in line with the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention, and that the Government will be in a position to adopt the regulations on vibration and to amend the Regulation on noise at work, 1993, in the near future, even before the deadlines set forth by the EU Directives.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the information contained in the Government's report on provisions of national legislation applicable to agriculture and forestry regarding pollution, noise, vibration and personal protective equipment.

Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments indicating the adoption of new and updating standards and guides with respect to noise and vibration. The Committee notes that there are no exposure limits for vibration established yet, and work on general provisions regulating vibration in the working environment is being deferred pending the EU directive on physical agents which is under preparation. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the Office informed of any progress made in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in response to its previous direct request. The Government is requested to provide further information, in its next report, on the following points:

1. Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the information communicated by the Government concerning the adoption of new standards with respect to air pollution and noise. It further notes that while no regulations specific to vibration have been adopted, rules on vibration have been incorporated into the Machinery Regulations. The Government is requested to provide a copy of these Regulations as soon as they are adopted and to continue to supply information concerning any progress made in establishing exposure limits for vibration.

2. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, with the incorporation of the Agricultural Workers' Act into the Working Environment Act, new regulations were being drawn up under the Working Environment Act. As the Government's latest report provided no new information in this regard, the Government is once again requested to indicate the regulations drawn up under the Working Environment Act which affect the application of the Convention with respect to agricultural work and to provide a copy of any such regulations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in response to its previous direct request.

Articles 8 and 9. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that new Norwegian standards had been issued concerning vibration, but that the Labour Inspectorate had not yet adopted a formal position on the use of these standards. It requested the Government to supply information concerning progress made in establishing exposure limits and protective measures with regard to vibrations. As the Government has indicated in its latest report that there has been no change in this regard, the Committee requests it to continue to supply information concerning any progress made in establishing exposure limits for vibration and to indicate whether any measures have been taken to test the design of new equipment or machinery with a view to eliminating, as far as possible, the risks caused by vibrations.

In its previous comments, the Committee also noted that, with the incorporation of the Agricultural Workers' Act into the Working Environment Act, new regulations were being drawn up under the Working Environment Act. The Government is again requested to indicate any progress made in this respect and to provide a copy of the new regulations once they are adopted.