Health

Work involving hazardous factors triggers a requirement or offer for participation in a targeted and/or personal health examination for employees and students. The factors this applies to are given in the table below.

Targeted health examination is a lecture provided by the occupational health service. When participation in this lecture is required, it must be completed prior to starting any work involving the hazardous health factor. Registration for targeted health examination as a lectureis done via this link.

For some hazardous factors there is also a requirement for a personal health examination. This is a one-to-one consultation with the occupational health service.

Factors that trigger requirement for targeted or personal health examination:

Regulations and useful resources

• Guidelines for targeted and personal health examinations and register of exposed employees 
• The occupational health service's information on Targeted health examination - Norwegian only
  Arbeidstilsynets webpage about health examination - Norwegian only
• Regulations concerning the performance of work, use of work equipment and related technical requirement
• Eksponeringsregister

The health declaration ensures that employees and students are medically fit for service on board and do not pose a risk to others or the safe operation of the vessel.

A health examination and issuance of a seafarer's medical certificate are conducted by an approved seafarer's doctor. The health declaration is valid for 2 years.

Employees and students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the procedures for obtaining a seafarer's medical certificate.

• Sjøfartdirektoratet pages regarding medical certificate
• Approved seafarer's doctors - Sjøfartsdirektoratet
• Relevant forms - Sjøfartsdirektoratet
• Forskrift om helseundersøkelse av arbeidstakere på norske skip og flyttbare innretninger

Pregnant employees must inform their immediate supervisor as early as possible during pregnancy to identify the need for adjustments and special measures. Once the supervisor is informed of the pregnancy, a mapping and risk assessment of the employee's tasks must be conducted together with the employee to implement necessary adjustments.

Exposures that may potentially harm health before and during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding, are described in a separate routine for pregnant and breastfeeding employees.

Measures may be related to, for example:

• Ergonomic conditions

• Chemicals

• Biological factors

• Radiation

• Vibrations/noise

• Shift work/night work

Among others, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and the National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) provide useful information regarding various risk factors associated with pregnancy.

For assistance with mapping and adjustments for pregnant employees, the occupational health service can be utilized. As an employee, you can also contact the occupational health service if you are or plan to become pregnant and do not wish to inform your supervisor at an early stage. The occupational health service can assist with consultations and advice.

Regelverk:
Arbeidsmiljøloven: Krav til tilrettelegging, medvirkning og utvikling 
Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid: omplassering av arbeidstaker utsatt for kjemikalier 
Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid: omplassering av arbeidstaker ved fare for forplantningsskader

Nyttige ressurser:

Bedriftshelsetjenesten HemisArbeidstilsynets nettsider om graviditet og arbeidsmiljø 
Norsk elektronisk legehåndbok om støy og andre helseeffekter enn hørselseffekt        
Statens arbeidsmiljøinsitutts (STAMI) nettsider om tilrettelegging av arbeidsmiljø for gravide 
Statens arbeidsmiljøinstitutts rådgivningstjeneste for gravide i arbeid

If you have health issues that you suspect are work-related, you can contact the occupational health service to schedule an appointment or for more information. Use the form available at Hemis.

• Guidelines for targeted and personal health examinations and register of exposed employees
• Regulations concerning the performance of work, use of work equipment and related technical requirements

Everyone can contribute to creating a positive work environment, including both employees and leaders. Here are some tips from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority on what you, as an employee, can do to help foster a good work environment.

A workplace assessment is a systematic review and evaluation of working conditions at a workplace to ensure they are adapted to the employee's needs and meet the requirements for health, safety, and well-being.

Purpose of a workplace assessment:

• Prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.

• Adapt the workplace for employees with special needs.

• Ensure the work environment complies with external and internal regulations.

• Enhance well-being, productivity, and efficiency in the workplace.

Contact your immediate supervisor if you need a workplace assessment, assistance with equipment adjustments, or instruction.

The occupational health service, Hemis, assists employers in creating healthy and safe working conditions within the organization.

What is typically included in a workplace assessment:

Mapping of Work Tasks:

• Review of the employee's tasks and work routines.
• Identification of challenges related to workload, variation, and ergonomics.

Ergonomic Assessment:

• Analysis of working posture, furniture, and equipment (e.g., office chair, desk, computer screen, keyboard).
• Adjustments to the workplace to reduce strain-related injuries.

Physical Work Environment:

• Evaluation of lighting, noise, temperature, and air quality.
• Identification of any physical factors that may affect health and productivity.

Technical Equipment:

• Review of the use of technological equipment, such as computers and other work tools.
• Adaptation of equipment to ensure efficiency and comfort.

Psychosocial Work Environment:

• Assessment of well-being, stress levels, and workplace relationships.
• Identification of measures to promote a positive work environment.

Adaptation:

• Suggestions for adjustments for employees with special needs, such as disabilities or health challenges.
• Evaluation of opportunities for flexible work arrangements.

Safety:

• Review of safety routines and injury prevention measures.
• Ensuring that the workplace complies with legal requirements and standards.

Report and Follow-Up:

• Preparation of a report with recommendations and measures.
• Plan for follow-up and evaluation of the implemented measures.

The workplace assessment can be conducted by UiT's occupational health service, Hemis, or other professionals with expertise in the field.

A workplace assessment should be conducted:

• When starting a new job or at a new workplace.

• When there are changes in tasks, equipment, or the work environment.

• When an employee experiences discomfort or challenges related to working conditions.

• As part of preventive health, environment, and safety (HMS) work.

For new hires or office relocations, it is recommended to contact the occupational health service for an office review.

The manager orders and purchases equipment from the standard inventory. If you have health issues, you may also receive technical aids.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the largest single cause of absenteeism in the workplace. The occupational health service, Hemis, assists employees in assessing ergonomic adjustments to the workplace. 

Read more on the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's page about work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's page about ergonomics.

The occupational health service, Hemis, assists employees in assessing ergonomic adjustments to the workplace.

In collaboration with their immediate manager, all employees have access to order technical aids that can prevent or alleviate health problems in the workplace.

• Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's page about work-related musculoskeletal disorders 
• Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's page about ergonomics  
• Hva er et arbeidsmiljø? Statens arbeidsmiljøinstitutt (STAMI) 
• The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's website on the work environment, prevention of work-related ailments caused by workplace conditions, and other factors affecting the work environment.
• The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's topic page on indoor climate and air quality in the workplace
• Digital arbeidshverdag (IT-brukerstøtte)

• The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's page on work-related mental health issues
• The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's page on the psychosocial work environment.