Roles on construction sites
The party at whose request the construction project is being done is called the principal. If the principal opts to be represented by a principal’s representative or agent, a written agreement must be established.
Throughout the entire construction process, the principal is responsible for making sure that the enterprises performing the work take responsibility for health, safety and the working environment.
This is handled by ensuring good project planning and organisation, as well as close monitoring of all work performed in the project execution phase.
Coordination of health, safety and the working environment
Whenever multiple enterprises are part of the construction activity, either at the same time or one after the other, coordination of HSE efforts is necessary. The principal must appoint either a single coordinator for the entire project, or one coordinator for the project planning phase and one for the execution phase. Appointment of a coordinator does not, however, exempt the principal from responsibility in this area. The principal may opt to personally act as coordinator. A written agreement must be established, specifying the duties and authorisations of the coordinator.
Before the principal appoints a coordinator, they must consider whether the candidate has other duties that may conflict with the role of coordinator.
The principal must specify, in writing, the duties and authorisations of the coordinator, and the principal must regularly monitor the coordinator to make sure they are fulfilling their duties.
Coordination and follow-up during the project planning phase includes:
- preparing a plan for safety, health and working environment (SHA plan).
- coordinating the project planning to ensure that considerations of safety, health and the working environment are taken into account.
Coordination in the execution phase includes:
- following up on risks identified in the SHA plan and ensure that employers and sole proprietorships comply with the plan.
- making sure enough time is set aside to complete the different tasks.
A plan for safety, health and the working environment (SHA plan)
Employers and sole proprietorships must
- comply with the SHA plan
- continuously assess the risk associated with risk areas identified in the SHA plan
- inform the principal when the SHA plan should be updated to include factors that may affect safety, health and the working environment
- inform the principal of any risks associated with any choices made by the principal and contractors that are not covered by the SHA plan
In addition, employers must
- incorporate relevant parts of the SHA plan into the enterprise’s system for internal control
- inform the safety representative about the SHA plan before construction activity begins
- inform employers and the safety representative, in a clear and easily understood manner, about all safety, health and working environment measures that must be implemented on the construction site
Other duties
Employers and sole proprietorships must
- comply with the principal’s or coordinator’s instructions
- plan and execute their work based on risk assessments as needed
- contribute to dialogue and coordination with the principal to ensure that considerations of the workers’ safety, health and working environment are taken into account in the planning and execution of construction projects
- make sure relevant preventative measures are implemented, typically by ensuring:
- that the necessary steps are taken to prevent unauthorised persons from accessing the construction site
- that one’s own activity is considerate of other activities on or near the construction site
- that good order and sanitary conditions are being maintained
- that access to the work site and all paths of travel are safe
- that all areas used for storage of materials are properly marked and adapted, especially areas used for storage of hazardous materials or substances
- proper maintenance and inspection before activities begin, as well as proper inspection of facilities and equipment, in order to remedy any defects that may affect the workers’ safety, health and working environment
- proper storage, handling and removal of waste and hazardous materials
- sound arrangements of working hours
- satisfactory employee facilities
- safe and proper accommodations
Workers have both a right and a duty to contribute to efforts to improve the working environment. Among other things, workers have a duty to familiarise themselves with rules, instructions and procedures, to report any non-conformities and to propose potential improvements.
The role of the safety representative is to protect the interests of the workers in cases involving the working environment. The safety representative can suspend activities if there is an immediate risk to the workers’ life or health.
In the construction industry, there are regional safety representatives (rvofond.no), who can enter any site where no safety representative has been appointed.
Manufacturers, importers and lessors of technical equipment are responsible for making sure their products are safe. Manufacturers and importers of chemical products, etc. also have a similar responsibility. Manufacturers, importers and lessors must also ensure that necessary product information is available, to prevent accidents and damage to health.