Companies within building and construction, cleaning, manual car care, wheel changing and wheel storage, and goods transport by light vehicle must ensure that their employees hold valid HSE cards (HMS-kort). This requirement applies to both Norwegian and foreign workers.
All workers who perform work on building and construction sites, provide cleaning services or offer services within car care, wheel changes and wheel storage must have an HSE card. The same applies to drivers and assistants who transport the goods of others by car or van.
This requirement applies to both Norwegian and foreign workers.
The HSE card must be worn so that it is clearly visible when you are working.
Read more about the requirement for HSE cards in these industries:
The requirement for having an HSE card applies to all building, construction and installation work. This requirement also applies to work of this nature in the consumer industry.
anyone who is self-employed – sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak) who do not employ workers
spouses of owners of sole proprietorships
workers who are hired to carried out cleaning services
The requirement for HSE cards is listed in the final section of the authorisation scheme for cleaning companies. Once your company has applied for authorisation and all terms have been met, you will receive notice that you can order the HSE cards.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority will only issue the company’s final authorisation status once all of its cleaners hold an HSE card. If the company employs new cleaners, it must order HSE cards for them.
Companies offering services related to manual car care, wheel changes and wheel storage must receive authorisation from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. Only those who have received this authorisation can legally provide such services.
This also means that companies must supply their employees with HSE cards issued by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. The requirement also applies to
the owner or general manager of the company
anyone self-employed – sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak) who do not employ workers
spouse of the owner of a sole proprietorship who intend to work in manual car care, wheel changes and wheel storage
In addition to this, companies that hire out employees to carry out manual car care, wheel changes and wheel storage must order HSE cards for their workers.
It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the employee has a valid HSE card.
The HSE card must include the name and photo of the employee, as well as the name of the company.
The HSE card must be worn when at work and in such a way that it is clearly visible.
The HSE card is the employer's property. When an employee leaves their job, the employer must destroy the HSE card to avoid misuse.
Apply for authorisation before ordering HSE cards
Cleaning companies and companies in the manual car care, wheel change and wheel storage industry must apply to the Labour Inspection Authority for authorisation before they can order HSE cards. Once the companies have applied for authorisation, they will be notified when they can start ordering HSE cards.
Here you will also find information about the exceptions that apply.
Who can order the HSE card?
Someone in the company who is registered as holding a formal role in the Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregisteret), such as the general manager, can log in via hmskort.no using their electronic ID, and
The person who has received the delegated access to complete orders must also use their electronic ID to log into hmskort.no.
Can employees start working before they have received their HSE cards?
Employees must have an HSE card in order to work in industries where an HSE card is required.
Once the card has been ordered, the person who placed the order will receive an email with a QR code. Keep hold of the QR code – it functions as proof of documentation until you have received the physical HSE card. Both the employer and employee can print out or save the QR code as an image (on your phone, for example). The code is valid for inspection and verification.
What information does the QR code on the HSE card provide?
The QR code on the card shows the status that is registered on the public register at the time of which the code is scanned.
The employer can check the status themselves by performing a simple search of the card number on hmskort.no. Note that there may be delays with the registration in some of the relevant registers.
Who carries out inspections of HSE cards?
Cleaning services and Building and construction: The Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) and the Ocean Industry Authority (Havindustritilsynet) supervise the HSE card scheme in these industries. The Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) and the police may also demand to see HSE cards and scan the QR code on the cards.
Manual car care and Goods transport by light vehicle (car or vans): The Labour Inspection Authority supervises the HSE card scheme in these industries. The Tax Administration and the police may also demand to see HSE cards and scan the QR code on the cards. The Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) may do the same for goods transport by car.
When can the authorities confiscate HSE cards?
The authorities mentioned above, can confiscate HSE cards that are no longer valid. This may happen if
the date for the validity period has passed
the work contract has expired or the company no longer exists
the card is no longer valid for other reasons
The construction client or safety representative can also ask to see the HSE card
The card must be presented when requested by
the construction client (byggherre) or representative for the construction client
the coordinator for health, safety and the environment at the construction site (according to the Working Environment Act Section 2-2)
the safety representative and regional safety representative
The client can impose stricter requirements than the regulations set out
Note that the client – through any requirements set out in the contract – can impose stricter requirements than those laid out in the regulation. For example, the client may make it a requirement that anyone who enters the building or construction site must hold an HSE card.
Such contractual requirements are a matter between the client and contractor, and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has no authority regarding how this is controlled.
The Labour Inspection Authority can check that employees have valid HSE cards
If the workers can not present a valid HSE card, the Labour Inspection Authority can
order the employer or sole proprietorship to obtain HSE cards
suspend the company's operations until the employee has a valid HSE card
hand out fees (fines) for violation of the regulations, and in the event of serious cases, report the company to the police
The HSE card shows who you work for, and it belongs to your employer. It is only valid if you and the company you work for are both registered in the necessary public registers.
Your responsibilities include:
When you leave your job, you must return your HSE card to your employer.
If you lose your card or it has been stolen, you must notify your employer immediately. Your employer must register that the card has been lost and order a new card for you.
You must have a new HSE card if your company is acquired or merged with another company.
It is punishable by law to give away or let someone else borrow your HSE card.
The Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet), the Ocean Industry Authority (Havindustritilsynet), the Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), the Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) and the police have the right to confiscate HSE cards that are no longer valid.
API for HSE cards
The HSE card solution offers a programming interface (API) that allows companies to connect their own systems to information provided in the HSE card solution.
