Health and Safety Representative Course – Your Complete Guide to HSR Training

Safety representative courses are the mandatory training all safety representatives in Norway must complete to fulfill their role. As a safety representative, you play a central role in the company's HSE work, and proper training is crucial for you to perform your duties effectively. Here, you will find a complete guide to safety representative courses, legal requirements, content, and the option to take the course online.

The safety representative's role and responsibilities

The safety representative is the employees' representative in matters concerning the working environment. The role is legally mandated in companies with at least 5 employees, but can also be established in smaller companies. The safety representative's main tasks are:

• Ensuring a safe working environment
• Notifying the employer of hazardous conditions
• Participating in the planning and implementation of HSE measures
• Stopping dangerous work when there is an immediate danger to life and health
• Participating in Labour Inspection Authority inspections
• Promoting a good working environment

Legal requirements: The Working Environment Act §6-5 and the 40-hour requirement

According to the Working Environment Act §6-5, the safety representative is entitled to the training necessary to perform the role in a proper manner. The training must:

• Have a scope of at least 40 hours
• Be completed within three months after the safety representative takes office
• Be paid for by the employer
• Be conducted during working hours without loss of pay

This is a minimum requirement – in companies with particular risk or working conditions, more extensive training may be necessary.

When can shorter training be accepted?

The general rule is 40 hours, but the employer and employee may in some cases agree on shorter training if:

• The company has a low-risk working environment
• The safety representative already has relevant competence from previous experience
• There is an agreement between the parties (employer and union representatives/employees)

Shorter training must still cover the fundamental topics and provide the safety representative with sufficient knowledge to perform the role.

Course content – what is covered in the safety representative course?

A comprehensive HSE course for safety representatives covers, among other things:

• The Working Environment Act – Relevant provisions for the safety representative
• The safety representative's role, rights, and duties
• Systematic HSE work – The Internal Control Regulations in practice
• Risk assessment – Methods and tools
• Physical working environment – Ergonomics, noise, chemicals, indoor climate
• Psychosocial working environment – Harassment, bullying, conflicts
• Organizational working environment – Workload, working hours
• Deviation handling and accidents – Reporting and follow-up
• Collaboration – With the employer, occupational health services, working environment committee (AMU), and the Labour Inspection Authority

Online safety representative course – is it approved?

Yes, it is entirely possible to complete a safety representative course online. Komplett HMS offers a complete online course that covers all legally mandated topics. Benefits include:

• 100% online – Complete on mobile, tablet, or PC
• Flexible – Take the course when it suits you, split it over several days
• Instant course certificate – Documentation immediately after passing the test
• Available in multiple languages – Norwegian, English, Polish, Lithuanian, Romanian, and more
• No travel costs – Save both time and money

AMU members – same training requirements

Members of the working environment committee (AMU), according to the Working Environment Act §7-4, are entitled to the training necessary to perform their work on the committee. In practice, this means that AMU members should undergo similar training to the safety representative, so they can contribute effectively to HSE work. The safety representative course also covers the needs for AMU training.

Consequences of inadequate training

If the employer fails to ensure that the safety representative receives the necessary training, there can be consequences:

• Orders from the Labour Inspection Authority with a deadline for completion
• Coercive fines for non-compliance
• Administrative fines
• The safety representative cannot fulfill their legally mandated role without proper training
• In the event of accidents, inadequate training of the safety representative can be an aggravating factor

Frequently asked questions about safety representative courses

Who pays for the safety representative course?

The employer is obliged to cover the cost of the training. The course must be completed during working hours without loss of pay for the safety representative.

How often must the safety representative take the course?

The basic training is completed once. In case of re-election, refresher courses may be necessary, especially with significant changes in regulations or the company.

Can the safety representative take the course online?

Yes, an online safety representative course is approved and offered by, among others, Komplett HMS. The course is 100% online and provides a course certificate immediately after passing the test.

What happens if the safety representative does not receive training within three months?

The employer then violates the legal requirement in the Working Environment Act §6-5. The Labour Inspection Authority can issue orders and potentially impose coercive fines.

Does the chief safety representative need more training?

The chief safety representative needs the same basic training, but additional training may be required depending on the size and complexity of the company.

Can AMU members use the safety representative course?

Yes, the safety representative course is also suitable for AMU members, as it covers the central topics relevant to the work of the working environment committee.

Practical implementation of online safety representative courses

When you take an online safety representative course at Komplett HMS, you get a structured and flexible learning experience adapted to a busy everyday life. The course is built with clear modules that cover all legally mandated topics in accordance with the Working Environment Act §6-5.

• Duration: Equivalent to 40 hours – can be divided over several days or weeks as needed
• Format: Text, illustrations, and interactive exercises that ensure good understanding
• Knowledge test: After completing the course, you must pass a knowledge test to receive a course certificate
• Available 24/7: Complete when it suits you – morning, evening, or weekend
• No prior knowledge: The course is designed for everyone, regardless of previous HSE experience

An online safety representative course provides the same competence and certification as a traditional classroom-based course, but with much greater flexibility. You can combine the course with daily work tasks without having to dedicate full days to training. This is particularly practical for companies in construction where absence from the workplace can be costly.

Why choose Komplett HMS for safety representative courses?

Komplett HMS is one of Norway's leading providers of online HSE training, with 5 out of 5 stars on Google. We have extensive experience in delivering courses to companies in all industries – from construction to industry, cleaning, and the public sector.

• 100% online – No travel, no absence from the workplace
• Course certificate on the same day – Documentation ready immediately after passing the knowledge test
• Available in a range of languages – Perfect for multilingual workplaces
• Easy administration – Order for the entire team and follow up on completion

Do you have questions about safety representative courses or other HSE courses for companies? Contact us by phone 466 66 467 or email kundeservice@kompletthms.no. We are located at Kanalveien 107, 5068 Bergen.