Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about Regional Safety Representative (RVO), scope and the fee.
About the scheme and scope
What is the scheme’s background?
This scheme was established in 2013 by the government, in cooperation with representative organisations for employers and employees.
It was established to improve occupational health and safety standards in vulnerable industries.
The objective of the scheme is to ensure that health, safety and working environment conditions in the accommodation, food service and cleaning industries comply with the Working Environment Act.
The board of trustees consists of representatives from the employers’ associations and the trade unions: the Norwegian Federation of Service Industries and Retail Trade, the Norwegian Hospitality Association, Norwegian Union of General Workers, the United Federation of Trade Unions, in addition to a representative from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. The representative of the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority is the chairman of the board.
(The members of the board of trustees are appointed for a period of two years at a time.)
Who does the scheme apply to?
- All undertakings that are required to hold a license to serve food (serveringsbevilling)
- All undertakings that are required to hold a license to serve alcohol (skjenkebevilling)
- All cleaning undertakings that must be authorised by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Renholdsregisteret)
- All undertakings that offer accommodation (hotels, hostels, holiday apartments, camping sites, tourist lodges etc.)
- All undertakings that hire out employees in the mentioned industries (staffing agencies)
The scheme applies to all businesses, including sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak/ENK).
The legal basis for the scheme and the fee is governed by two sets of regulations under the Working Environment Act:
Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation Chapter 6
Why am I within scope for this scheme?
The scheme applies to all businesses that are registered within the industries in the Register of Business Enterprises (Brønnøysundregisteret). It applies to businesses with primary and secondary industry code (NACE code) in accommodation (55), food service (56) and cleaning (81.2).
Participation is not optional. This is not a scheme in which businesses can opt in or out of.
The legal basis for the scheme and the fee is governed by two sets of regulations under the Working Environment Act:
Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation Chapter 6
About Regional Safety Representative (RVO)
Who are the Regional Safety Representatives (RVO)?
The RVOs have a broad experience from the accommodation, food services and the cleaning services. They are colocated with the Labour Inspection Authority’s regional offices but operate independently of the Labour Inspection Authority.
Today there are 16 regional safety representatives, located in Oslo, Drammen, Moss, Skien, Kristiansand, Bergen, Trondheim, Mosjøen and Tromsø.
What do the Regional safety representatives (RVO) do?
- RVO contribute to the establishment of safety representatives.
- RVO can act as safety representatives (verneombud) in workplaces where a safety representative has not yet been elected.
- RVO can help establish coordination agreements for health and safety in workplaces where several employers are collocated.
- RVO provide advice and guidance to safety representatives and management about issues concerning health and safety.
- RVO contribute to strengthening HSE routines and making sure that existing safety representatives function as intended.
- RVO can provide advice and guidance to safety representatives, employees and managers with responsibility for safety and working environment.
- RVO’s focus is on small and medium sized businesses that do not have their own safety representatives, but the scheme also includes businesses that already have their own safety representatives, to ensure that it functions as intended.
About the Fee
Who must pay the fee?
- All undertakings that are required to hold a license to serve food (serveringsbevilling)
- All undertakings that are required to hold a license to serve alcohol (skjenkebevilling)
- All cleaning undertakings that must be authorised by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Renholdsregisteret)
- All undertakings that offer accommodation (hotels, hostels, holiday apartments, camping sites, tourist lodges etc.)
- All undertakings that hire out employees in the mentioned industries (staffing agencies)
The scheme applies to all businesses, including sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak/ENK).
The fee must be paid even if the business has their own safety service or safety representative (verneombud).
What is the legal basis for the fee?
The legal basis for the scheme and the fee is governed by two sets of regulations under the Working Environment Act:
Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation Chapter 6
How much do I pay?
For business without employees, the fee is NOK 250.
For businesses that are established this tax year, the fee is NOK 250.
For businesses with a primary industry code (NACE-code 55, 56 and 81.2) and several employees, the fee is calculated from 0.065 % of gross salaries / wages from the previous year (same basis as the payroll tax). The minimum amount is NOK 250.
For businesses with a secondary industry code (NACE-code 55, 56 and 81.2), or businesses listed in other industries (but that do business in the accommodation, food service or cleaning industries), the fee is calculated from 0.065 % of gross salaries / wages for the employees who work in accommodation, food service or cleaning. The minimum amount is NOK 250.
Businesses active during parts of the year only, pay the minimum fee of NOK 250. Businesses with no activity at all, are not obligated to pay the fee.