Source: https://amid.dk/en/regulations/working-environment-act/
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 02:35:39
Document Index: 447170486

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 8', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 7', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'art 13', 'arts 11', 'art 13', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 15', 'arts 9', 'art 9', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 16']

Ministry of Employment Consolidated Act no. 1072 of 7 September 2010 with later amendments - unauthorised compilation of provisions - unofficial version
2 - Cooperation on health and Safety
3 - Sector Working Environment Councils
4 - General duties
5 - The performance of the work
6 - Design and fitting out of the work site
7 - Technical equipment, etc.
8 - Substances and materials
9 - Rest periods and rest days
10 - Young persons under the age of 18
11 - Medical examinations, etc.
12 - The Working Environment Council
12a - Financing of health and safety initiatives by the parties etc.
13 - The Working Environment Authority
13a - The National Research Centre for the Working Environment
14 - Right of appeals
16 - Entry into force etc.
THE COMPILATION OF PROVISIONS includes:
- Consolidated Act no. 1072 of 7 September 2010 on the working environment
- Act no. 1538 of 21 December 2010 amending the Working Environment Act (Reprioritorisation of measures by parties etc.)
- Act no. 597 of 14 June 2011 amending the Working Environment Act (Risk-based inspection, differentiated fines etc.)
- Act no. 356 of 9 April 2013 amending the Working Environment Act an repealing the Act governing Working Environment Certificates for Enterprises (Specification of scope in relation to the psychological working environment and transfer of regulations on certificates to the Working Environment Act etc.)
- Act no. 155 of 20 February 2013 on the Design of Certain Products
- Act no. 639 of 12 June 2013 amending various legal provisions on limitation periods for claims, etc.
- Act no. 238 of 18 March 2014 amending the Working Environment Act and the Act on the Design, etc. of Certain Products
- Act no. 736 of 25 June 2014 amending the Act on TV Surveillance, the Act on Safety at Certain Sporting Events, the Act on Catering Services and Liquor License, etc. and various other acts.
- Act no. 54 of 27 January 2015 on amending the Working Environment Act (Exception of voluntary work from the requirement for workplace assessment and working environment organisation, prevention of work-related violence, threats and other offensive behaviour outside of working hours, the Danish Working Environment Authority’s access to gather information from external registers etc.)
- Act no. 1869 of 29 December 2015 on amending the Working Environment Act (Risk-based supervision, publication of names of enterprises under stricter supervision, toughened punishment and publication of workplace evaluations regarding electromagnetic fields etc.)
- Act no. 395 of 2 May 2016 on Amendments to the Consolidation Workers’ Compensation Act, Act on Unemployment Insurance etc., Consolidation Act on the Working Environment and various other acts
- Act no. 426 of 18 May 2016 on Electronic Cigarettes etc.
a safe and healthy working environment which is at all times be in accordance with the technical and social development of society, and
the basis on which enterprises themselves will be able to solve issues relating to health and safety under the guidance of the employers' and workers' organisations, and under the guidance and supervision of the Working Environment Authority.
1a. This Act shall cover the physical and psychological working environment.
2.-(1) The provisions of this Act shall apply to work for an employer.
(2) The following activities shall be exempt:
work in the employer's private household, cf., however, section 59,
work carried out exclusively by such members of the employer's family as belong to his household, cf., however, section 59,
Voluntary work that has the nature of leisure activities, and which is carried out for non-profit associations that do not have the purpose of earning a profit, are excepted from sections 5-11 a and 15 a.
(3) The following provisions shall also apply to work not carried out for an employer and to the work mentioned in subsection (2):
Section 20 on several employers, etc. at one work site, section 20a on the employer's contribution to ensuring the effectiveness of the clients planning, demarcation and coordination, sections 30-36 on suppliers, etc. and section 37 on clients etc.,
Sections 38 and 39 insofar as work mentioned in section 39(1), nos. 1 and 2 is concerned as well as sections 41 and 41a,
sections 45 to 47 on technical equipment, etc.,
Part 8 on substances and materials,
Section 58 on road transport
2a. The Minister for Employment may lay down rules that one or more provisions in Chapters 2, 4, 5, 11 a, 13, 14, 14 a and 15 with the required adjustments shall also apply to work for an employer, where there is a risk of work-related violence, threats or other offensive behaviour outside working hours.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down rules about the employer’s obligation to set guidelines and provide guidance to the employees on the conditions covered in (1) and to offer the employees assistance with reporting work-related violent episodes outside working hours to the police.
(3) The Minister for Employment may also lay down rules that one or more provisions in Chapters 2, 4, 5, 11 a, 13, 14, 14 a and15 shall apply to rules made pursuant to (2).
4. The Minister for Employment may lay down that the provisions of this Act shall apply only to a limited extent to work carried out in the employee's own home.
4a. The Minister for Employment may lay down the regulations, including regulations on supervision and inspection, necessary for application of the European Community's regulations with respect to matters covered by this Act
Part 2 - Cooperation on health and safety
5. Safety and health work at the individual enterprise shall be carried out through cooperation between the employer, the supervisor and the other employees.
6. In enterprises with 1-9 employees, cooperation on health and safety shall be through regular direct contact and dialogue between the employer, the employees and any supervisors. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on the construction of a health and safety organisation in certain sectors or types of enterprise.
6a. In enterprises with 10-34 employees, cooperation on health and safety shall be organised in a health and safety organisation composed of one or more supervisors and one or more elected health and safety representatives, with the employer or a representative of the employer as chairman. The health and safety organisation shall be responsible for both day-to-day and overall tasks relating to health and safety.
6b. In enterprises with 35 or more employees, cooperation shall be organised such that a health and safety organisation is established with the following two levels:
One or more committees shall be responsible for overall tasks related to health and safety. If one or two groups have been established in the enterprise pursuant to no. 1, the committee shall comprise the members of the group or groups. If more than two groups have been established, the health and safety representatives shall elect between them two members for the committee, and the supervisors in the groups shall elect between them two members for the committee. The chairman of a committee shall be the employer or a representative of the employer.
6c. In collaboration with the employees and the supervisors, the employer shall stipulate the number of health and safety representatives and supervisors in the health and safety organisation established pursuant to section 6a or section 6b, taking into account the enterprise and its health and safety conditions. The number shall also be stipulated such that it is possible for the employees to discuss health and safety conditions within their working hours with health and safety representatives and supervisors in the health and safety organisation. There shall be at least as many health and safety representatives as supervisors in the health and safety organisation.
6d.-(1) Every year the employer shall, in collaboration with the employees and the supervisors, organise the content of cooperation on health and safety for the forthcoming year and establish how this is to take place. In enterprises with a health and safety organisation, such organisation of the content of cooperation shall involve this.
(2) Each year, the employer in enterprises with 1-9 employees, cf. section 6, shall discuss with the employees and supervisors whether the necessary technical knowledge about health and safety is present in the enterprise.
(3) The employer shall ensure that a competence-development plan is prepared for members of the health and safety organisation regarding supplementary health and safety training, cf. section 9.
(4) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations about the duties of the employer pursuant to subsections (1)-(3) and the documentation required to satisfy these.
6e.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on how the health and safety organisation at an enterprise is to be constituted and function, how the number of members of the health and safety organisation is to be established, election of health and safety representatives, and election and appointment of supervisors in the health and safety organisation, as well as the tasks of the health and safety organisation.
(2) Where it is deemed unnecessary or inexpedient to organise cooperation on health and safety pursuant to the regulations in sections 6a-6c, section 6d(1) and section 8(3), the Minister for Employment may, for certain trades, sectors or work sites, grant exemptions from the said regulations.
7.-(1) The provisions of sections 6a-6c, and section 6d(1) shall not apply insofar as, in order to enhance cooperation in the enterprise on health and safety
an agreement has been established between one or more employee organisations and the corresponding employer organisation(s), or employers or those authorised for such purpose, and
enterprises subject to an agreement established under no. 1, have established an agreement between the employer and the employees at the enterprise, or employees at part of the enterprise.
(2) The employer shall be able to document for the Working Environment Authority that the enterprise is subject to an agreement pursuant to subsection (1).
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on conditions under which sections 6a-6c, and section 6d(1) may be derogated from through agreements established in accordance with subsection (1). Furthermore, the Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on how agreements pursuant to subsection (1) are to be established.
(4) Questions of interpretation and violations of the agreements established pursuant to subsection (1) shall be resolved according to the usual industrial procedure for the area. Violations of agreements established pursuant to subsection (1), no. 2 may not, however, be brought before the Danish Labour Court, but they shall be settled by industrial arbitration.
7a.-(1) A health and safety organisation may cover
several operationally linked enterprises,
several employers at the same work site, or
municipalities or regions and independent institutions, which have established operational collective agreements.
(2) Organisation pursuant to subsection (1) is conditional upon
establishment of an agreement pursuant to section 7, and
representation in the health and safety organisation by each of the participating enterprises.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on how and under what circumstances agreements pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) may be established, and on representation by the participating enterprises in a health and safety organisation for several enterprises.
7b. The tasks of the health and safety organisation may, if agreed between the enterprise and its employees, be extended to include environmental issues directly connected to the enterprise. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations which ensure resolution of the health and safety issues of the enterprise.
8.-(1) The employer shall ensure that members of the health and safety organisation are provided with reasonable time, in the circumstances, to carry out their duties on health and safety work.
(2) The employer shall provide the members of the health and safety organisation with opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge and training on health and safety issues.
(3) The employer shall provide the members of the health and safety organisation with opportunity to participate in planning insofar as matters of health and safety at the workplace are concerned.
(4) The employer shall provide the members of the health and safety organisation with opportunity to coordinate their work.
8a. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on the rights and duties of the members of the health and safety organisation.
9.-(1) The employer shall ensure that members of the health and safety organisation have completed a compulsory course on health and safety of three-days’ duration within three months of their election or appointment. Subsequently, the employer shall offer members of the health and safety organisation supplementary courses on health and safety in the first year corresponding to two days’ duration and, in each of the following years of the period of office, corresponding to one-and-a-half days’ duration. It shall be possible to complete the first two days of supplementary health and safety training within the first 12 months of the period of office.
(2) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations on content, enrolment, offer and completion of the compulsory health and safety training, the supplementary health and safety training and special health and safety training for coordinators of health and safety work within the building and construction sector, as well as the qualifications of teachers and approval and quality assurance of providers of the compulsory health and safety training and the special health and safety training for coordinators.
10.-(1) The employer shall pay all expenses in connection with the activities of the health and safety representative and shall indemnify the health and safety representative for loss of earnings.
(2) The health and safety representative shall enjoy protection against dismissal and any other impairment of his conditions in the same way as shop stewards within the same or any similar sector.
(3) Disputes concerning protection under subsections (1) and (2), including questions of what regulations to apply and breach of or interpretation of the regulations, shall be settled by the normal procedure for settling industrial disputes, cf. section 33 of the Danish Labour Court Act.
11. If a supervisor in the health and safety organisation is dismissed on the expiry of a trial period, and one of the parties alleges that the dismissal was caused by matters concerning safety, his employment shall not be terminated during the period of notice until the matter has been subjected to consultation by the organisations according to the regulations of the relevant collective agreement or examined in accordance with the regulations of the Employers' and Salaried Employees' Act on negotiation and arbitration. Negotiation and arbitration shall be expedited as much as possible.
11a. When visiting the enterprise, the Working Environment Authority shall normally contact relevant health and safety representatives and supervisors in the health and safety organisation. These shall be free to submit to the Authority all questions concerning health and safety.
12. If the employer does not have the necessary expertise to undertake the health and safety work of the enterprise, the employer shall seek external expert assistance with a view to ensuring the continued health and safety of the employees. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on this matter.
13a. (Repealed).
13b. (Repealed).
13c. The Minister for Employment shall lay down regulations on the authorisation of health and safety consultants, including the obligation to use an authorised health and safety consultant when the Working Environment Authority issues an improvement notice to seek consultancy, cf. section 77a(1).
Part 3 - Sector working environment councils
14.-(1) After an opinion from the Working Environment Council, cf. section 66(2), 3rd clause, the Minister for Employment shall approve a number of sector working environment councils which are to assist enterprises in one or several sectors with information and sector guidance on health and safety.
(2) Employees’ and employers’ organisations within the sectors covered by the individual sector working environment council shall each appoint an equal number of members to the council. The individual council shall itself determine the number of members it is to have. In the event that the council cannot reach agreement on this point, the number of members shall be determined by the Minister for Employment. Members and proxies shall be appointed for four years and may be reappointed. If an appointment takes place within the four-year period, such appointment shall only apply until expiry of the period.
(3) The individual sector working environment council shall elect a chairman and deputy chairman from amongst its members. The employers’ and employees’ sides shall alternate in holding the posts of chairman and deputy chairman every two years.
(4) The individual sector working environment council shall itself lay down its rules of procedure and establish a secretariat.
(5) Each year, the individual sector working environment council shall issue a report on its activities to the Minister for Employment.
14a.-(1) The individual sector working environment council shall, within the area of the council, assist the enterprises in the sector with information and guidance about health and safety. The individual sector working environment councils may initiate and participate in special enterprise-oriented health and safety activities within the sector.
(2) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations on the organisation, composition, and activities of the sector working environment councils, including the tasks and functions of the councils.
(3) After consultation with the Minister for the Environment, the tasks of the councils may be extended to include environmental issues directly connected to the enterprises. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations which ensure resolution of the health and safety issues of the enterprises.
Part 4 - General duties
15. It shall be the duty of the employer to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. Special reference is made to:
Part 5 on the performance of the work,
Part 6 on the design and fitting out of the work site,
Part 7 on technical equipment, etc.,
Part 8 on substances and materials.
15a.-(1) The employer shall ensure the preparation of a written workplace assessment of the health and safety conditions at the workplace, taking due regard to the nature of the work, the work methods and work processes which are applied, as well as the size and organisation of the enterprise. The workplace assessment shall remain at the enterprise and be available to the management and employees at the enterprise, as well as the Working Environment Authority, which inspects the workplace assessment. A workplace assessment shall be revised when there are changes in work, work methods, work processes, etc., and these changes are significant for health and safety at work. The workplace assessment shall be revised at least every three years.
(2) A workplace assessment shall include an opinion on the health and safety issues at the workplace, and how these are to be resolved in compliance with the principles of prevention stated in the health and safety legislation. The assessment shall include the following elements:
Identification and mapping of the health and safety conditions at the enterprise.
Description and assessment of the health and safety issues at the enterprise.
Priorities and an action plan to resolve the health and safety issues at the enterprise.
(3) The employer shall involve the health and safety organisation or the employees in planning, organising, implementation and following up the workplace assessment, cf. subsections (1) and (2).
(4) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations about the duties pursuant to subsections (1)-(3).
(5) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on the duty of the employer to ensure that physicians, occupational health clinics and health authorities responsible for occupational health examinations have access to the workplace assessment of the enterprise when this is relevant for employee health checks.
(6) The Minister for Employment may lay down further rules on the obligation of the employer to, upon request, disclose or publish the enterprise’s workplace evaluation regarding electromagnetic fields.
16. The employer shall ensure that there is effective supervision that work is performed safely and without risks to health.
17.-(1) The employer shall inform the employees of any risks of accidents and diseases which may exist in connection with their work.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations about the duties of the employer pursuant to subsections (1) and (2).
17a.-(1) Employees shall have the right to leave their workplace or a danger zone in the event of serious or immediate danger which cannot be avoided.
(2) The position of the employee must not be adversely affected because the employee leaves the workplace or a danger zone, cf. subsection (1).
(3) Employees whose rights under subsections (1) and (2) are violated may be awarded compensation.
17b.-(1) The employer shall ensure that the employees, taking account of their knowledge and access to technical aids, are able to decide upon appropriate measures themselves in order to avoid the consequences of serious and immediate danger to the safety of themselves or others, when it is not possible for the employees to contact the employer, manager or supervisor.
(2) The position of an employee shall not be adversely affected because the employee has taken measures pursuant to subsection (1), unless the employee in such cases has acted with intentional or gross negligence.
17c. The provisions laid down in sections 17a and 17b shall not apply in circumstances where a collective agreement gives the employees rights which as a minimum correspond to Article 8(4) and (5) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the health and safety of workers at work.
18. The employer shall inform health and safety representatives and shop stewards of the employees within the particular area of the decisions made by the Working Authority and of any written improvement notices issued by the Working Environment Authority. Correspondingly the employer shall also have such duty to other health and safety representatives and shop stewards who request to be informed of the decision or the notice, cf. section 78.
19. The employer shall ensure that cooperation concerning health and safety in accordance with Part 2 is possible and shall participate in such cooperation.
20.-(1) Several employers who have work carried out at the same work site and all persons employed at the same work site shall cooperate to create safe and healthy working conditions for all employees.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down further regulations on this matter.
20a.-(1) Employers, who have work carried out at construction sites, shall contribute to ensuring that the clients planning, demarcation and coordination to promote the health and safety of the employees function as intended. The employer shall take account of instructions from the clients coordinator in this respect.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations about the duties of the employer pursuant to subsection (1).
21.-(1) When the Working Environment Authority so demands, or when circumstances otherwise dictate, the employer shall have investigations, tests and examinations conducted, possibly by a specialist expert, in order to ascertain whether working conditions are appropriate for health and safety. The Danish Working Environment Authority may order the investigation to be carried out immediately or within a deadline.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations that investigations etc. demanded by the Working Environment Authority pursuant to subsection (1) shall be conducted by an authorised health and safety consultant.
22.-(1) The employer shall give notification to the Working Environment Authority and shall keep registers according to regulations laid down by the Minister for Employment.
substances and materials,
other matters of importance to health and safety.
(3) If statistics are published, no names or firms shall be mentioned.
22a. The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations the employer's duty to incorporate absenteeism due to sickness in the health and safety work of the enterprise in order to reduce absenteeism due to sickness at the enterprise.
23. The provisions of this Act on the duties of the employer shall also apply to the manager or management of the enterprise.
24. “Supervisor” shall mean a person whose work consists solely or primarily of managing or supervising, on behalf of the employer, the work in an enterprise or any part thereof.
25. The supervisor shall participate in the cooperation concerning health and safety, cf. Part 2, and sections 20 and 37.
26.-(1) The supervisor shall contribute towards ensuring that the working conditions are safe and healthy within the field of activity of which he is supervisor. In this connection he shall check the effectiveness of the measures taken to promote health and safety.
(2) If the supervisor becomes aware of errors or deficiencies which may involve a risk of accidents or diseases, he shall take steps to avert such danger. Where the risk cannot immediately be averted by his intervention, he shall inform the employer without delay.
27. The employees shall participate in the cooperation concerning health and safety, cf. Part 2.
28.-(1) The employees shall cooperate to ensure that the working conditions are safe and without risks to health within their field of activity and shall check the effectiveness of measures taken to promote health and safety.
(2) If the employees become aware of errors or deficiencies which may adversely affect safety or health and which they cannot remedy themselves, they shall inform a member of the health and safety organisation, the supervisor, or the employer.
(3) Any person who has to remove a safety device temporarily to perform a job, such as repair work or installation, shall ensure that such device is replaced immediately after the performance of the job or that an equally safe protective measure is taken.
29.-(1) Persons working at a work site where several employers have work carried out shall comply with the regulations applying to cooperation between enterprises, cf. sections 20 and 37, as well as with the regulations applying to the work which they are to perform.
(2) Persons working on the premises of an enterprise other than their employer's enterprise shall comply with the regulations on health and safety which apply to that enterprise as well as with the regulations applying to the work which they are to perform.
30.-(1) Any person who supplies, makes available or displays machines, machine parts, containers, prefabricated constructions, appliances, tools, building components, other technical equipment or personal protective equipment shall ensure that such articles are provided with the necessary protective equipment when supplied for use or display and that they can be used as intended without risks to safety or health, cf. Part 7. Adequate and simple instructions for use, maintenance, transportation, and installation shall be made available on delivery.
(3) When the Working Environment Authority so demands, or when circumstances otherwise dictate, the importer or manufacturer shall have investigations, tests and examinations conducted, possibly by a specialist expert, in order to ascertain whether technical equipment is appropriate for health and safety.
(4) If technical equipment is manufactured on the basis of the buyer's detailed written instructions, the importer or manufacturer shall be relieved from the obligations imposed by subsections (1)-(3).
31. Any machine which is supplied or displayed in Denmark shall be provided with the name and address of the manufacturer or, as far as imported machines are concerned, with the name and address of the importer, or with any other marking which facilitates identification of the manufacturer or the importer, respectively.
32.-(1) Any person who, as an independent enterprise, installs, converts, or recondition technical equipment shall ensure compliance with the safety rules and instructions applying to the equipment concerned.
(2) If a repair affects only one or a few components of the object under repair, the person performing the repair shall ensure compliance with the safety rules and instructions applying to the components. If the repairer, while performing his work, becomes aware of other errors or deficiencies which may affect safety, he shall inform the owner or user.
33. Any person who supplies a project for technical equipment, production plant, or building or construction work, shall, in the project, take into account health and safety in connection with the performance of the work and the operation of the finished building or plant, etc. The same shall apply to any person giving advice on matters concerning health and safety.
33a.-(1) Any person who invites to tender for supply of services shall, in the invitation to tender, ensure that account has been taken of health and safety in the performance of the task. Furthermore, a tenderer shall ensure that the invitation to tender contains relevant information on special, significant health and safety conditions connected with the performance of the task, in order to make the person who is to perform the task aware of such matters.
(2) A tenderer shall furthermore help to ensure that the employer who is awarded the task can execute the task put out to tender appropriately in relation to health and safety.
34. The provisions laid down in sections 30, 31, 33, and 35(2) shall also apply to suppliers, etc. of substances and materials with properties which may involve a risk to, or in any other way adversely affect, safety or health.
35.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on the matters covered by sections 30-34.
(2) The regulations laid down in sections 30-34 shall not relieve the user of the duties under this Act.
36. The Minister for Employment may, under exceptional circumstances, lay down regulations or take decisions which derogate from the requirements under sections 30-34. Such decisions may also be made by the Director General of the Working Environment Authority in individual cases and under exceptional circumstances.
37.-(1) For building and construction activities where several employers are active at the same work site, the client shall plan, demarcate and coordinate the measures to be taken to promote the health and safety of employees.
(2) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations on the obligations of the client under subsection (1), including regulations on:
demarcation of the tasks of the individual employers in common areas prior to the commencement of work,
preparation and maintenance of a plan for health and safety at the construction site,
coordination of health and safety measures at the planning stage and during performance of building and construction work,
appointment of a coordinator with the necessary knowledge and training or the necessary qualifications in health and safety matters to manage the coordination of health and safety measures at the planning stage and during the performance of building and construction work, and
preparation and the necessary adjustment of a record book, adapted to the characteristics of the project, containing a list of the matters regarding health and safety to be taken into account during any future work.
(3) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations on when the obligations of the client under subsection (1) are effective.
(4) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that, upon request, the client shall document to the Working Environment Authority that the coordinator has the necessary knowledge and training or the necessary qualifications in health and safety matters to manage the coordination of health and safety measures at the planning stage and during the performance of building and construction work.
(5) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations on the obligations of the client to notify major building and construction works to the Working Environment Authority.
(6) Furthermore, the client shall help to enable the employer to carry out the building and construction work appropriately in relation to health and safety.
Part 5 - The performance of the work
38.-(1) Work shall be planned, organised and carried out in such a way as to ensure health and safety.
(2) Approved standards of importance to health or safety shall be complied with.
39.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on the requirements which shall be complied with in order that the work may be regarded as planned, organised and performed in such a way as to ensure health and safety, including regulations on:
measures relating to health and safety in connection with work, working processes and methods, e.g. to avoid collapses, falls, subsidence, vibration, radiation, noise, or risks of explosion, fire, or to health from gases, fumes, vapours, dust and smoke, heat, cold, odours, infections, or incorrect working postures, movements or strains,
prohibition of particularly dangerous work, working processes, and working methods,
notices or adequate marking.
(2) The Minister for Employment may also lay down regulations on special work clothing and personal protective equipment and on who is to pay for the expenses incurred.
40. Where necessary to ensure the health and safety of the employees, the Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing:
that plans for working procedures, processes and methods shall be prepared, and
that such plans or amendments to such plans shall be submitted for the opinion or approval of the Working Environment Authority before being implemented.
41. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations:
that work which may involve substantial risks of accidents or disease may only be carried out by persons who have been specially trained, have passed a test, or who are above a certain age,
on employment of persons with physical or mental disabilities or diseases which may involve an increased risk of accidents or disease in connection with certain activities,
on restrictions on allowing employees to work alone.
41a.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that a person, whose professional qualifications were obtained in a third country, may only perform work within areas requiring specified training or completion of a test, if said person has had his professional qualifications approved by the Working Environment Authority.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that a person, who intends to work permanently in Denmark, and whose professional qualifications were obtained in other EU Member States, EEA countries or countries which have agreements with the EU, may only perform work within areas requiring specified training or completion of a test, if said person has had his professional qualifications approved by the Working Environment Authority.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that a person, who intends to work temporarily or occasionally in Denmark, and whose professional qualifications were obtained in other EU Member States, EEA countries or countries which have agreements with the EU, shall have his qualifications verified in advance for approval, before commencing work within areas requiring specified training or completion of a test. This shall only apply for work which is significant for public health and safety and if the objective of verification is to avoid serious injury to the recipient of the service.
41b. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that, on request, the employer shall document for the Working Environment Authority that employees have the necessary qualifications to perform the relevant work for which specified training, tests, certificates, work experience or similar is required.
Part 6 - Design and fitting out of the work site
42.-(1) The work site shall be in such a condition that it is safe and healthy.
(2) Approved standards of importance to health or safety shall be observed.
43.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on the design and fitting out of permanent, temporary, varying, and outdoor work sites, including regulations on:
work rooms, e.g. ceiling height, air space, floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, temperature, ventilation and noise,
welfare facilities, etc., e.g. rest rooms and canteens, cloakrooms, locker rooms, lavatories, washing and bathing facilities and sleeping facilities and seating,
means of exit, e.g. passages, gangways, staircases, and exits.
(2) The regulations laid down in pursuance of subsection (1) may provide that they shall also apply to tenants of buildings, premises, areas, etc.
44. Where necessary to ensure the health or safety of the employees, the Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing:
projects, etc. for the building or conversion of enterprises shall be submitted to the Working Environment Authority for its opinion or approval before they are implemented,
plans for fitting out or altering premises, technical installations and equipment, etc. shall be submitted to the Working Environment Authority for its opinion or approval before they are implemented,
buildings, rooms, premises, etc. shall not be let out or leased for commercial purposes until the question of their suitability for the proposed purpose has been submitted to the Working Environment Authority for its opinion or approval.
Part 7 - Technical equipment, etc.
45.-(1) Machines, machine parts, containers, prefabricated constructions, appliances, tools and building components, other technical equipment and personal protective equipment shall be designed and used in such a way that they are safe and without risks to health.
46. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on the design and use of technical equipment, etc., including regulations on:
construction, manufacture, installation, registration and testing,
submission to the Working Environment Authority of plans for construction, manufacture or installation for its opinion or approval,
approval by the Working Environment Authority of technical equipment etc. before it is supplied or made available to the user or taken into use,
use, maintenance, and care.
47. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations prohibiting the manufacture, import, supply, transfer, display or use of particularly dangerous technical equipment.
Part 8 - Substances and materials
48.-(1) Substances and materials with properties which may be dangerous or which may otherwise compromise health or safety may only be manufactured and used in work processes and methods which effectively secure employees against accidents and illness.
49.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations concerning the manufacture, import, storage, transportation and use of substances and materials with properties which may be dangerous or which may otherwise compromise health or safety, including regulations concerning packing, refilling and labelling.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations prohibiting the manufacture, import, and use of particularly dangerous substances and materials.
49a.-(1) With a view to preventing and addressing health problems and injuries from accidents in the working environment, the Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that anyone manufacturing or importing a substance or material shall carry out examinations or acquire necessary documentation of previous examinations, and submit notifications. In this connection, regulations may be laid down for all substances and materials, for individual substances and materials, for specific groups of substances and materials or for substances and materials for special applications.
(2) The following contents for the notification may be stipulated:
Information on conditions which are of significance to the assessment of the properties or effects of the substance or material, including whether it has properties which may be dangerous or otherwise compromise health or safety.
Suggestions for classification, packaging, and labelling.
Information on preventive measures which effectively secure employees against adverse effects on health and safety.
(3) It may further be laid down that new substances and materials may be utilised no sooner than one month after the date of the notification. There shall be opportunity to extend this time limit in situations where the notification is incomplete or in error, such that the substance or material may be utilised no sooner than one month after the information the notification is to contain has been received.
(4) The Minister for Employment shall lay down regulations regarding the establishment, operation, and use of a register of substances and materials.
49b. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that technical data sheets and similar which are issued by the manufacturer or importer of substances and materials shall contain all important information on the effects of the substance or material on health and safety in the working environment.
49c.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that a substance or material which may be dangerous for or otherwise compromise health or safety may not be used if it can be substituted with a non hazardous, less dangerous or less problematic substance or material.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that substances or materials which may be dangerous for or otherwise compromise, health and safety may not be used for specific purposes or within specific areas, before an opinion or approval from the Working Environment Authority has been issued.
Part 9 - Rest periods and rest days
50.-(1) Working hours shall be organised so as to allow a rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours within every period of 24 hours.
(2) The rest period may be reduced to eight hours for:
change of shifts in enterprises with several shifts when it is not possible to maintain the daily or weekly rest period between the end of the work of one shift and the start of another shift,
agricultural work up to 30 days in any calendar year.
(3) The regulations in subsections (1) and (2) above shall not apply to loading and unloading primarily carried out by casual workers and necessary activities incidental hereto. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations for a minimum rest period before the relevant employee returns to work after completing overtime.
51.-(1) Within each period of seven days, employees shall have a weekly 24-hour period off, which shall be in immediate connection to a daily rest period. The weekly 24-hour period off shall, as far as possible, fall on a Sunday, and, as far as possible, at the same time for all employees at the enterprise.
(2) The regulation in subsection (1), 2nd clause shall not apply to agriculture or horticulture.
(3) For work caring for people, animals, or plants, and for work which is necessary to preserve objects of value, the weekly 24-hour period off may be deferred and replaced by a corresponding period off later, when this is necessary for reasons of protection or to ensure continuous provision of services or sustained production. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on this matter.
52. Where the normal operation of an enterprise is being, or has been, disturbed by acts of nature, accidents, breakdowns of machinery or similar unforeseeable events, the provisions of sections 50 and 51 may be derogated from, to the necessary extent. Any derogation shall be recorded in the inspection book or any similar documentation.
53. For trades, sectors, or special types of work, where special conditions make it necessary, the Minister for Employment may lay down regulations concerning:
54. Sections 50 and 51 shall apply to persons in senior positions and to representatives and agents working outside the permanent premises of the enterprise only to the extent laid down by the Minister for Employment.
55. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations concerning the conditions under which sections 50 and 51 may be derogated from by agreement.
56. In situations of derogation pursuant to sections 50-55, corresponding compensatory rest periods or 24-hour periods off shall be provided, or appropriate protection shall be provided in exceptional circumstances of such a nature that it is not possible to provide compensatory rest periods or 24-hour periods off. The Minister for Employment may lay down that the 1st clause shall not apply to persons in senior positions.
57. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations concerning reduced working hours in respect of work which may involve an exceptional risk to health and safety.
58. The regulations laid down in pursuance of sections 53 and 57 may apply to any person who is a driver or a member of the crew of a vehicle, including persons who are not engaged in work for an employer.
Part 10 - Young persons under the age of 18
59. The regulations in this Part shall apply to work performed by young persons for an employer, including work which is mentioned in section 2(2), nos. 1 and 2.
60.-(1) For the employment of young persons under the age of 18, planning, organisation and performance of work shall take account of the age, development, and health of the young person, as well as the work’s effect on schooling or other education.
(2) Young persons who are under the age of 15, or who are subject to compulsory education shall not perform work.
(3) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations regarding employment of young persons, including higher age limits than 15 years for specific types of work in order to ensure that work can be performed in a safe and healthy manner. Special regulations may be laid down for young people receiving education.
(4) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that occasional or short-term work which is either performed in the private household of the employer, or exclusively by members of the employer’s family who belong to the household, including agricultural enterprises, are exempt from the provisions of subsection (2) above and sections 61 and 62, subject to other conditions and restrictions which may exist. Such work shall not involve danger to the health and safety of the young person.
(5) By stating conditions and restrictions, the Minister for Employment may lay down derogations from the age limits provided for in subsection (3) for young persons who are members of the family or household of the employer, including agricultural enterprises, due to the special knowledge of agriculture the young person may have.
(6) The Minister for Employment may also lay down regulations:
that young persons who have reached the age of 13 years may undertake light duties within limited types of work, and under specific conditions and restrictions,
that the prohibitions in subsection (2) and section 61 may be derogated from for young persons who have reached the age of 14 years and who work as part of an educational course, and
that the prohibitions in subsection (2 ) and sections 61 and 62 may, under specific conditions and restrictions, be derogated from in respect of young persons taking part in performances, etc. of a cultural or artistic nature, sports events, or film making, or similar provided that permission has been obtained in each case for young persons under the age of 13 years.
(7) When employing young persons under the age of 15 years or young persons who are receiving compulsory education, the employer shall inform the young person’s parents or guardians of the employment, including working hours, and risks of disease or accidents which may be connected with the work as well as measures implemented concerning health and safety.
61.-(1) The working hours for young persons under the age of 18 shall not exceed the normal working hours for adults employed in the same sector, and working hours shall not exceed eight hours per 24-hour period and 40 hours per week.
(5) The Minister for Employment may lay down special regulations concerning:
the organisation of working hours, including calculations in cases where young persons work as part of an education course, or where young persons work for more than one employer,
the extent to which subsection (1) above may be derogated from for young persons who have reached the age of 15 years and who are no longer subject to compulsory education,
that young persons who are subject to compulsory education shall have a period in the school holidays which is entirely free of work, and
that the provisions of subsection (4) above may be derogated from for trades or sectors in situations where circumstances make it necessary or desirable for young persons who have reached the age of 15 years, and who are no longer subject to compulsory education. However, the young person must under no circumstances work between the hours of 12.00 midnight and 4.00am.
62.-(1) Young persons under 18 years shall be allowed a rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours during a period of 24 hours. However, young persons under 15 years, or young persons who are subject to compulsory education shall be allowed a rest period of at least 14 consecutive hours during a period of 24 hours.
(3) For trades or sectors, or special types of work, in situations where circumstances make it necessary or desirable, the Minister for Employment may lay down special regulations concerning:
interruption of a rest period, and
62a.-(1) The Minister for Employment may also lay down regulations concerning derogations from section 61(1), (3) and (4) in the circumstances mentioned in section 52 for young persons who have reached the age of 15 years and who are no longer subject to compulsory education.
(2) The Minister for Employment may, after consultation with the Minister for Justice, in connection with allocating tasks to the Police according to this Act, lay down regulations stipulating the authority within the Police which shall be responsible for carrying out the relevant tasks.
Part 11 - Medical examinations, etc.
63.-(1) In respect of enterprises, trades, sectors or other groups of employees whose work involves a risk to the health of the employees, the Minister for Employment may lay down regulations requiring:
medical examination of the employees before they are employed, during their employment and after the termination of their employment, possibly in regular examinations, and
regular or individual surveys of health conditions from the point of view of occupational medicine, occupational hygiene, etc.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations concerning similar surveys to establish whether a particular activity may involve risks to health.
(3) The costs in connection with such examinations and surveys shall be paid by the employer or the State according to regulations laid down by the Minister for Employment.
(4) The employer shall ensure that the examinations and surveys can be carried out without loss of income for the employee and, as far as possible, within working hours.
(5) Employees and former employees have a duty to undergo examination in accordance with the regulations laid down.
64.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down special regulations concerning medical examinations of young persons under the age of 18 with a view to their commencing employment. The provisions of section 63(3)-(5) shall apply correspondingly.
(2) The regulations may provide that a school physician shall issue a medical certificate, on the basis of an examination arranged before the pupil leaves school, stating whether the pupil is suffering or has suffered from diseases which may influence his health and safety during employment. Similar regulations may be laid down for young persons under the age of 18 receiving vocational training.
(3) Furthermore, the regulations may require that, on engaging a young person under the age of 18, employers shall satisfy themselves that the work for which the young person is employed is compatible with his health.
65.-(1) The Minister for Employment may appoint a representative board of experts to make decisions according to the regulations issued in pursuance of this Act on issues as to whether a young person under the age of 18 may perform a particular type of work considering his health situation.
(2) The decisions of the board may not be appealed to a higher administrative authority.
(3) The Minister for Employment shall lay down regulations regarding the composition and activities of the board and the financing of its activities.
Part 11a - Approved working environment certificate
65a.-(1) An enterprise with employees may have an approved working environment certificate issued, cf. section 65c. An approved working environment certificate shall relate to either the legal entity with all associated production entities, or to one or more production entities.
(2) An enterprise for which an approved working environment certificate may be issued shall mean a legal entity in the form of:
A natural person in its capacity as an employer.
A legal person or branch of a foreign legal person.
A governmental administrative entity.
A municipal community.
(3) A production entity for which an approved working environment certificate may be issued, shall mean:
The main activity exercised by a legal entity with only one main activity and where all activity is exercised at or from the same geographical address as the address of the legal entity.
The individual main activity, if a legal entity has several main activities which are exercised at or from one geographical address.
The individual activity, if a legal entity has activities which are exercised at or from several geographical addresses.
(4) An approved working environment certificate may not be issued for a construction site.
65b.-(1) In order for an enterprise to have an approved working environment certificate issued, including an associated production entity, the enterprise shall be able to document a sound working environment. The following requirements shall be met:
The material working environment of the enterprise or production entity shall be in compliance with the requirements laid down in health and safety legislation with regard to significant health and safety issues in a number of areas. Significant health and safety issues shall mean issues which may lead to an improvement notice under this Act.
The enterprise or production entity shall meet the requirements laid down for their own efforts on health and safety at work.
Documentation shall be made available on the efforts carried out by the enterprise or production entity to comply with the requirements in nos. 1 and 2, as well as the results of such efforts. It shall also be documented that employees or their representatives have been involved in the work on meeting the requirements in nos. 1 and 2.
(2) In addition to the requirements laid down in subsection (1), requirements may be laid down that the enterprise, together with employees or their representatives, shall determine how it will specifically work for an inclusive workplace and an inclusive labour market, as well as for promotion of health at the workplace. The enterprise shall then be able to document compliance with this requirement.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on the requirements pursuant to subsections (1) and (2).
(4) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations stipulating that documentation from enterprises pursuant to subsections (1)-(3) shall be made publicly available.
65c.-(1) An approved working environment certificate may be obtained through either accredited inspection or accredited certification. Accredited inspection shall be carried out by an inspection body, whereas accredited certification shall be carried out by a certification body. The relevant bodies shall be accredited by DANAK (the Danish Accreditation Fund) or a similar recognised accreditation body.
(2) Inspection and certification bodies shall pay for accreditation according to regulations laid down by the accreditation body. Enterprises shall pay for inspection and certification, including the issue of a certificate.
(3) An approved working environment certificate shall be valid three years from the date of issuance.
65d. The Minister for Employment may, after consultation with the Minister for Business and Growth, lay down more detailed regulations on inspection and certification, including supplementary requirements for the accreditation, certification and inspection bodies, and on issue of an approved working environment certificate, including regulations on publication of enterprises holding a certificate.
Part 12 - The Working Environment Council
66.-(1) The Working Environment Council shall participate in the organisation and performance of all working environment work by providing consultancy for the Minister for Employment and issuing recommendations to the Minister for Employment on:
the overall objectives and priorities for working environment work,
allocation of the funds which are made available under section 68 between the Working Environment Council, sector working environment councils and the National Research Centre for the Working Environment,
following up the work of the Working Environment Council.
(2) The Working Environment Council shall, at its own initiative, discuss matters which it finds to be of importance to the working environment and shall give its opinion on such matters to the Minister for Employment. For the purpose of the Council's political discussions and setting priorities, it may initiate development and analysis activities, which may be of a cross-disciplinary nature. The Council shall issue opinions before the Minister for Employment approves sector working environment councils in pursuance of section 14(1).
(3) The Working Environment Council shall submit opinions on and proposals for amendments to legislation and new regulations. Through representatives appointed by the Council from amongst its members or from the outside, the Council shall participate in the drafting of regulations pursuant to the authority provided in this Act. Furthermore, the opinion of the Council shall be obtained before such regulations are laid down.
(4) Each year, the Working Environment Council shall submit a report to the Minister for Employment concerning developments in the working environment field and improvements which the Council considers desirable.
66a. (Repealed).
67.-(1) The Working Environment Council shall consist of a chairman and the following other members:
Six members proposed by the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions.
Two members proposed by the Confederation of Salaried Employees' and Civil Servants’ Organisation.
Two members proposed by the Confederation of Professional Associations.
Four members proposed by the Confederation of Danish Employers.
One member proposed by the Organisation of Managerial and Executive Staff.
A member appointed jointly by the Confederation of Danish Employers and the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.
One member proposed by the Employers’ Association for the Financial Sector.
Two members proposed collectively by the regions jointly with Local Government Denmark.
One member proposed by the Ministry of Finance.
(2) The chairman and the other members of the Council, as well as their proxies, shall be appointed by the Minister for Employment for a term of four years, and they may be reappointed. If an appointment takes place within the four-year period, such appointment shall only apply until expiry of the period.
(3) Decisions of the Working Environment Council shall be by simple majority amongst members in attendance. In the event of parity of votes, the chairman shall have the casting vote.
(4) The following may attend meetings of the Council with one representative but without voting rights:
The NFA, National Research Centre for the Working Environment
(5) The Council may set up working committees and appoint members for such committees, also from outside the Council itself.
(6) The Council may procure expert opinions and initiate inquiries for the purpose of its work.
(7) The Minister for Employment shall approve the rules of procedure of the Council.
(8) The Minister for Employment shall establish a secretariat for the Working Environment Council.
(9) The Minister for Employment shall establish a research centre for the working environment and may lay down more detailed regulations in this respect.
Part 12a - Financing of health and safety initiatives by the parties etc.
68.-(1) Funds for the state. cf. subsection (7), and for the performance of the activities of the Working Environment Council, and the work of the sector working environment councils and the National Research Centre for the Working Environment to improve the working environment, shall be procured through contributions, cf. subsections (2) and (3), from
Labour Market Insurance, with respect to carrying out tasks regarding financing the area of industrial diseases, cf. section 3 of the Act on Labour Market Insurance,
insurance companies which offer industrial injuries insurance, and
municipalities, regions and other employers, which have not taken out insurance, cf. section 48(1)-(5) and section 88 of the Industrial Injuries Insurance Act.
(2) The contribution under subsection (1) shall appear in the annual Finance Act and shall comprise an amount of DKK 45 million. This amount shall be adjusted by the Minister for Employment on the recommendation of the Working Environment Council. The amount shall be appropriated proportionally to the organisations obliged to make contributions under subsection (1), on the basis of their share of the total payments for injuries and compensation for loss of ability to work which the Labour Market Insurance as part of carrying out tasks pursuant to section 2(1) of the Act on Labour Market Insurance has approved according to the Industrial Injuries Insurance Act in the year in which the contribution is levied.
(3) The contribution under subsection (1) shall furthermore comprise an amount which totals two per cent of the total payments for injuries and compensation for loss of ability to work which the Labour Market Insurance as part of carrying out tasks pursuant to section 2(1) of the Act on Labour Market Insurance has approved according to the Industrial Injuries Insurance Act in the calendar year which is two years before the year of contribution. The amount shall be collected from the organisations obliged to make contributions under subsection (1), except for the Labour Market Insurance, cf. (1) no. 2, on the basis of their share of the total payments for injuries and compensation for loss of ability to work which the Labour Market Insurance as part of carrying out tasks pursuant to section 2(1) of the Act on Labour Market Insurance has approved according to the Industrial Injuries Insurance Act in the year in which the contribution is levied.
(4) Irrespective of the insurance contracts entered into, the insurance companies may increase the premiums of compulsory industrial injuries insurance proportionately to cover the contributions under subsections (2) and (3).
(5) In order to cover contributions under subsection (2), the Labour Market Insurance, with respect to carrying out tasks regarding financing the area of industrial diseases, cf. section 3 of the Act on Labour Market Insurance may increase contributions for compulsory insurance against sudden lifting injuries and occupational diseases.
(6) In addition to the state’s proportion of the contributions mentioned in subsections (2) and (3), the state shall provide an annual contribution which shall be laid down by the Minister for Employment.
(7) The state shall pay DKK 50.4 million of the contributions pursuant to subsections (2) and (3).
(8) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations on the calculation, levy period and payment of the contributions pursuant to subsections (2) and (3).
68a.-(1) On the recommendation of the Working Environment Council, the Minister for Employment shall appropriate the funds procured under section 68 to carry out health and safety activities and allocate subsidy frameworks to the activities of the Working Environment Council, the individual sector working environment councils and the National Research Centre for the Working Environment.
(2) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed requirements for application of the funds.
(3) Within the allocated subsidy frameworks and the more detailed requirements for application, the Working Environment Council and the individual sector working environment councils shall lay down provisions on the activities which are to be carried out.
(4) The Minister for Employment may determine that subsidies shall be withheld, cancelled or repaid, if the requirements for application of the funds are not complied with.
(5) Unused funds, including cancelled or withheld subsidies under subsection (4), shall be included in a new appropriation pursuant to the regulations in subsection (1).
(6) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations regarding payment of subsidies, preparation of plans for the activities of sector working environment councils, submission of accounts and retrospective adjustment etc. The Minister for Employment may decide that subsidies may be paid in advance. Audit of the accounts shall be the responsibility of the Auditor General pursuant to the regulations in the Danish Act on the Audit of Public Accounts, etc.
68b. (Repealed).
Part 13 - The Working Environment Authority
69. The Minister for Employment shall be the supreme administrative authority in matters concerning health and safety.
70. The Working Environment Authority shall be an agency under the auspices of the Ministry of Employment, and shall comprise a central unit and a number of regional inspectorates. The Director General of the Working Environment Authority shall lay down the division of responsibilities between the inspectorates.
71. The Director General of the Working Environment Authority shall be in charge of the Working Environment Authority.
72.-(1) It shall be the duty of the Working Environment Authority to:
advise enterprises, sector working environment councils, employees' and employers' organisations and the public in all matters concerning health and safety issues,
provide enterprises with 1-4 employees with further advice to that mentioned in no. 1
assist the Ministry of Employment in preparing the regulations pursuant to this Act,
issue provisions under the authority from the Minister for Employment,
remain cognizant of technical and social developments with a view to improving activities to promote health and safety in the working environment,
examine plans for working processes, work sites, technical equipment, etc. and substances and materials and issue licences under this Act or administrative provisions,
ensure that this Act and the regulations laid down under the authority of this Act are complied with, except for sections 17a-c.
(2) The Working Environment Authority may obtain access to necessary information in the income register, cf. section 7 of the Income Register Act, and in the customs and tax authority’s registration system for enterprises, in order to identify enterprises on the basis of reported occupational diseases, cf. section 75.
(3) The Danish Working Environment Authority has terminal access to information about industrial accidents and industrial diseases in the Labour Market Insurance’s and the Danish Working Environment Authority’s joint system for reporting industrial accidents and industrial diseases, cf. section 34 a(1) of the Consolidation Workers’ Compensation Act, including to gather and coordinate in order to carry out control, as well as analyse, take preventive measures and obtain statistics.
(4) The Danish Working Environment Authority may, to the extent that is necessary to identify enterprises for targeting the control and supervision by the Danish Working Environment Authority, gather and coordinate information for control purposes.
from the income registry on employees’ place of work, period of employment, including start and end dates, and number of hours,
from the joint IT-based data basis shall be used for administration of labour market legislation cf. section 47 of the on the Danish Act on Organisation and Support Related to Employment Activities, on the duration of sickness benefits, the reason for absence, the benefits, the type of case and the place of employment, as well as the course of events and termination related to the sickness benefits for recipients of sickness benefits and
from the civil registration system (CPR) on citizenship and date of entry.
(5) Danish Working Environment Authority may, to the extent that is necessary, carry out control and for the purposes of analysis and preventive measures, as well as to obtain statistics, gather and coordinate information from Labour Market Insurance’s other data bases in addition to those regarding industrial accidents and industrial diseases mentioned in (3), cf. section 34 a(2) in the Consolidation Workers’ Compensation Act.
72a.-(1) Pursuant to section 72(1) no. 7, the Danish Working Environment Authority, as part of its supervisory role, shall carry out risk-based supervision of enterprises with employees selected on the basis of an index model and random checks.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations that enterprises which can document good health and safety conditions are to be exempt from inspection pursuant to subsection (1).
72b-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that the Working Environment Authority shall not be under an obligation to ensure compliance with regulations issued pursuant to this Act when a similar obligation is covered by a collective agreement between a national authority or employers' organisation of the one part and a national employees' organisation of the other part.
(2) The employer shall document that a similar obligation is covered by a collective agreement, cf. subsection (1).
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Working Environment Authority shall undertake to ensure compliance with the regulations, if the party to the collective agreement does not intend to initiate industrial disputes procedures for contravention of obligations covered by a collective agreement, cf. subsection (1).
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Working Environment Authority shall ensure compliance with the regulations in relation to employees who are not covered by a collective agreement.
(5) Subsections (1)-(4) shall not apply to agreements concluded pursuant to section 7(1), section 7a(2), section 17c and section 55.
73. The Minister for Employment may authorise the Director General of the Working Environment Authority to exercise powers which have been conferred upon the Minister for Employment by this Act. In this connection the Minister for Employment may, after consultation with the Working Environment Council, provide that section 66(2), 3rd clause, and section 66(3) may be derogated from.
74.-(1) The Minister for Employment may direct that the activities of the Working Environment Authority, to a specified degree, shall be transferred to another public authority or a private institution, and to what extent the Working Environment Authority shall supervise such inspection activities.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations concerning the approval of tests and other documentation to prove that instructions on health and safety have been observed.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on the payment, possibly in the form of charges according to a fixed rate, for investigations, etc. carried out or initiated by the Working Environment Authority.
(4) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations providing that, upon request, the Working Environment Authority may issue binding advance notice to employers, planners and consultants concerning the performance of specific, planned work before it is commenced.
(5) The Minister for Employment may empower private enterprises to authorise health and safety consultants.
(6) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on fees, including on collection and payment, in settlement of costs incurred by the Working Environment Authority for:
approval and quality assurance as well as training and education of providers of health and safety training and the training programme for health and safety coordinators within the building and construction sector, cf. section 9(2),
processing requests for binding advance notice, cf. section 74(4),
processing applications for empowerment to authorise health and safety consultants, for approval and control tasks and changes thereto, cf. section 74(5),
processing of applications for authorisation as well as changes and control thereof, cf. section 13c.
(7) Interest of 1.5 per cent per month or a fraction of a month from the due date shall, pursuant to subsection (6), be paid on any fees to the Working Environment Authority which are not paid on time. The fees shall be recoverable by execution of a lien.
(8) Fees to the Working Environment Authority pursuant to subsection (6) shall be adjusted automatically according to the general price and pay index.
(9) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on payment to the party to which the Working Environment Authority has delegated or assigned tasks, cf. sections 9(2) and 74(5).
74a.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that a person, whose professional qualifications were obtained in a third country, shall apply to have such professional qualifications recognised before commencing work within areas requiring specified training or completion of a test.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that a person, who intends to work permanently in Denmark, and whose professional qualifications were obtained in other EU Member States, EEA countries or countries which have agreements with the EU, shall apply to have his professional qualifications recognised before commencing work within areas requiring specified training or completion of a test.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations that a person, who intends to work temporarily or occasionally in Denmark, and whose professional qualifications were obtained in other EU Member States, EEA countries or countries which have agreements with the EU, shall submit written notification to the Working Environment Authority before commencing work within areas requiring specified training or completion of a test. This shall only apply, however, for work which is significant for public health and safety and if the objective of verification is to avoid serious injury to the recipient of the service.
(5) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on submission to an aptitude test or completion of a trial period for persons whose professional qualifications have been obtained in a third country or in another country within the EU, the EEA or countries with which the EU has entered into an agreement.
(6) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations necessary to comply with Denmark's obligations under Union law in the areas covered by requirements for training, education or examinations prescribed in this Act and the provisions laid down pursuant to this Act.
75.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations making it a duty to give notification of industrial accidents, cases of poisoning, occupational diseases and other matters of importance to health and safety.
(2) Any person who, in the course of public service or in the performance of a public function, obtains knowledge of matters which are in contravention of this Act or regulations issued in pursuance of this Act shall inform the Working Environment Authority.
(3) Inspection bodies accredited for monitoring, periodic inspections, tests, etc., shall notify the Working Environment Authority if they find that technical equipment or parts of technical equipment present a hazard if no intervention is made. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on this matter.
(4) Any physician who finds or suspects that a person has been exposed to harmful influences at his workplace shall notify such cases to the Working Environment Authority. The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on this matter.
76.-(1) Any person who is subject to obligations under this Act shall, on request, provide the Working Environment Authority with all information necessary for the performance of its work.
(2) If there is specific reason to suspect that a legal person has committed an offence that may be punishable, the obligation for natural persons associated with the legal person to submit information pursuant to subsection (1) shall apply insofar as information is sought for the purpose of considering other matters than assessment of penalties, cf. section 10(2) of the Danish Act on Due Process in Connection with the Administration’s Use of Compulsory Intervention and Duties of Disclosure.
(3) The staff of the Working Environment Authority may, at all times, on proof of identity and without a court order, gain access to public and private work sites, cf. however, subsection (4), insofar as it is required to carry out their duties. The police shall provide the necessary assistance. More detailed regulations for such assistance may be laid down by the Minister for Employment, after consultation with the Minister for Justice.
(4) Subsection (3) shall not apply to inspection by the Working Environment Authority of work of a non-commercial nature carried out by persons at their private residence, holiday residence, land associated hereto, vehicles, leisure vessels, and other property or items belonging to the household. The Minister for Employment may, however, lay down that the Working Environment Authority may continue to carry out inspection and supervision of elevators and other lifting equipment, as well as equipment under pressure, without a court order.
(5) The staff of the Working Environment Authority may, in performance of its work, without a court order demand presentation of all available documentation, including taking photographs and similar, and taking samples for further analysis or examination. The employer, or the employer’s representative, cf. sections 23 and 24, shall be informed of such action.
77.-(1) The Working Environment Authority may decide matters which are in contravention of this Act, or in contravention of regulations or decisions in pursuance of this Act, and in this respect order that matters be remedied immediately or within a specified period.
(2) Where the Working Environment Authority finds it necessary in order to avert an imminent, serious risk to the safety or health of the employees or any other persons, it may order that the risk be addressed immediately, including
that the use of a machine, machine part, container, prefabricated construction, appliance, tool, or other technical equipment or a substance or material be discontinued, or
that work as such be discontinued.
(3) The Director General of the Working Environment Authority may order that, any person who has supplied or placed on the market technical equipment or personal protective equipment or a substance or material which presents a risk to health and safety, despite being utilised in accordance with its relevant instructions, shall take the necessary measures to remedy the matter. In this connection the Director General may order:
that supply or market placement be discontinued,
(4) The Working Environment Authority may order the person who has supplied or placed on the market technical equipment, personal protective equipment, or a substance or material to destroy this in an appropriate manner, if the technical equipment, personal protective equipment, or substance or material poses a serious risk to health and safety.
78. The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations providing that, at all places of work, there shall be an inspection book or other similar documentation of the inspections, decisions, notices and other communications from the Working Environment Authority concerning matters related to health and safety, and regulations on the use and storage of such inspection book or documentation.
78a.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on publication of the health and safety conditions of named enterprises on the basis of the results of the inspection, including improvement notices or other decisions concerning contravention of the health and safety legislation, on publication of the health and safety problems on which the decisions of the Working Environment Authority are based and the extent to which the enterprise is subject to stricter supervision. In this connection the Minister for Employment may decide to introduce a scheme involving publication of the health and safety conditions of enterprises at which the Working Environment Authority has not observed any contraventions.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down further regulations on the manner, form and duration in which health and safety conditions of enterprises shall be made available to the public.
(3) The Minister for Employment may lay down further rules on publication, including digitally, of information on safety measures for enterprises for which there is a risk of major accidents with hazardous substances, including information that is included in the safety documentation for such enterprises.
79.-(1) Authorities and persons performing functions in pursuance of sections 13c-14a and Parts 11, 12, 13 and 14, as well as any person providing assistance in such functions, shall be subject to the regulations on duty of silence pursuant to sections 152-152e of the Danish Criminal Code. Section 152f of the Danish Criminal Code shall also apply.
(2) The Working Environment Authority shall not disclose to an employer or others that the Working Environment Authority has received a complaint.
79a.-(1) As part of its inspection activities pursuant to this Act, the Working Environment Authority shall supervise compliance with the legislation on smoke-free environments and Chapter 2 of the Act on Electronic Cigarettes etc. The Working Environment Authority may, possibly subject to specific conditions, order that matters which are in contravention of the legislation on smoke-free environments and Chapter 2 of the Act on Electronic Cigarettes etc. be remedied immediately or within a specific time limit.
(2) Section 76 and the regulations issued in pursuance hereof shall apply correspondingly.
(3) After consultation with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations concerning the performance of the inspection.
(4) The decisions of the Working Environment Authority made in pursuance of subsection (1) may be appealed to the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work. Section 81(1)-(5) shall apply correspondingly.
80. After consultation with the appropriate minister, the Minister for Employment shall lay down regulations concerning the cooperation between the Working Environment Authority and other public authorities.
Part 13a - The National Research Centre for the Working Environment
80a. The National Research Centre for the Working Environment is a research centre under the Ministry of Employment.
Part 14 - Right of appeal
81.-(1) Appeals on a decision made by the Danish WEA pursuant to this Act, cf. however, subsection (6), or pursuant to an EU regulation concerning conditions covered by this Act, may be brought before the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work within four weeks after the decision was notified to the person concerned.
(2) The appeal shall be submitted to the Working Environment Authority. If the Working Environment Authority upholds the appeal, the appeal shall be forwarded to the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work for further consideration.
(3) The submission of an appeal within the period allowed shall act as stay of proceedings until the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work makes a decision. Appeals against decisions under section 77(1), which shall be remedied immediately, as well as decisions under section 77(2) and (3) shall not act as stay of proceedings.
(4) Under exceptional circumstances the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work may hear an appeal and grant stay of proceedings, although the appeal has not been brought within the required period.
(5) Decisions made by the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work may not be brought before another administrative authority.
(6) Appeals against the decisions of the Working Environment Authority regarding regulations laid down in pursuance of sections 14a(2), 68(8) and 68a(6) may be brought before the Minister for Employment within four weeks after the decision was notified to the person concerned.
81a.-(1) The Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work shall comprise a chairman and the following duly appointed members:
Three members proposed by the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions.
One member proposed by the Confederation of Professionals in Denmark.
One member proposed by the Confederation of Professional Associations.
One member proposed by the Confederation of Danish Employers.
One member proposed jointly by Local Government Denmark, the regions collectively, as well as the Ministry of Finance.
One member with special legal knowledge proposed by the Ministry of Justice.
One member with special technical knowledge proposed by the Technical University of Denmark.
One member with special knowledge of occupational health proposed by the Ministry of Health.
(2) The chairman shall be employed by the National Social Appeals Board and satisfy the educational requirements of section 51(2) of the Danish Act on Due Process and Administration in the Social Sector.
(3) The appointed members and their proxies, shall be appointed by the Minister for Employment for a term of four years, and they may be reappointed. If an appointment takes place within the four-year period, such appointment shall only apply until expiry of the period.
(4) Decisions by the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work shall be made by the chairman and the members mentioned in subsection (1), nos. (1)-(8) duly appointed by the Council, or their proxies, cf. however, subsection (5). Decisions shall be by simple majority. In the event of parity of votes, the chairman shall have the casting vote. Each appointed member may attend with one or more observers without voting rights.
(5) The decisions of the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work regarding regulations laid down in pursuance of section 9(2) concerning approval of providers of health and safety training and providers of special health and safety for coordinators of health and safety work in the building and construction sector shall be made by the chairman.
(6) The chairman shall decide appeals against decisions by the Working Environment Authority on the right to inspect documents in cases in which the Working Environment Authority has made a decision pursuant to the Working Environment Act.
(7) The chairman may make decisions on behalf of the Council in the following cases:
Appeals which solely concern the time limit for compliance with notices under section 77(1).
Decisions in pursuance of section 81(3), 1st clause, on withdrawal of the stay of proceedings of an appeal.
Decisions in pursuance of section 81(4) on processing a late appeal.
(8) The chairman may, upon written consultation of the appointed members of the Council, make decisions on behalf of the Council in cases where there is a fixed, recognised practice, or under other circumstances where there is no reason for doubt.
(9) Members of the Council shall be informed of all appeals which are submitted to the Council for decision, and the members may request that a case be dealt with by the whole Council of Appeal.
(10) The Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work shall, each year, issue a report on its activities to the Working Environment Council and the Minister for Employment.
(11) The secretariat function of the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work shall be carried out by the Social Appeals Board.
(12) The Minister for Employment shall lay down the rules of procedure of the Council of Appeal on Health and Safety at Work.
81b-(1) Decisions made by a private enterprise empowered in pursuance of section 74(5) may be appealed to the Working Environment Authority within four weeks after the decision was notified to the person concerned.
Part 14a - Mandatory digital communication
81c.-(1) The Minister for Employment may lay down regulations stipulating that written communication to and from the Danish WEA concerning matters falling within the scope of this Act shall be digital. After consultation with the relevant minister, similar regulations may be laid down for other public authorities tasked according to this Act.
(2) The Minister for Employment may lay down more detailed regulations on electronic communication, including on the use of specific IT systems, special electronic formats and digital signatures or the like.
(3) An electronic message shall be deemed to have reached the recipient when it is available to the recipient of the message.
Part 15 - Penalties
82.-(1) Unless a more severe penalty is prescribed by other legislation, a person shall be liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to one year where he:
contravenes sections 15, 15a, 16, 17(1) and (2), 18, 19, 20(1), 20a(1), 21(1), 23, 25-34, 37(1) and (6), 38(1), 42(1), 45(1), 48(1), 63(5), 75(4), 76(1) or the European Community regulations with respect to matters covered by this Act,
allows work to be carried out in contravention of Parts 9 and 10, manages or supervises such work, or carries out work in contravention of Part 9,
fails to comply with an order pursuant to sections 77, 77a(1) or
fails to submit information pursuant to section 22(2).
(2) The penalty may increase to imprisonment of up to two years if the contravention has caused an accident resulting in serious personal injury or death.
(3) When setting penalties under subsection (1), no. 1, it shall, insofar as the employer has discharged his duties pursuant to Part 4 of this Act, be considered aggravating circumstances that employees intentionally, or with gross negligence, contravene the legislative requirements concerning
(4) Other than the cases mentioned in (3), when sentencing pursuant to (1) and (2), it shall be considered to be an aggravating circumstance
that at the time of the violation, damage or injury to life or health, or causing danger of such damage or injury, if the situation is not covered by (2),
that an order has previously been issued pursuant to section 77(1) or (2), or other decision made by the Danish Working Environment Authority regarding violation of the act for the same or similar situations,
that at the time of the violation, a financial advantage was achieved or was attempted to be achieved for the person in question or others, or
that the violation was committed intentionally or was due to gross negligence.
(5)It shall be considered to be an aggravating circumstance
that for young people under 18 years of age, an accident has occurred resulting in serious injury or death, cf. (2),
that for young people under 18 years of age, damage or injury to life or health has occurred or the danger of such damage or injury has been caused, cf. (4) no. 1,
that for a number of people damage or injury to life or health has occurred or the danger of such damage or injury has been caused, or
that the physical or legal person in question has previously been punished for gross violation of the working environment legislation within the last four years.
(6) In case of the employer’s violation of section 15, section 38(1), section 42(1), section 45(1), section 48(1), Chapter 9 or Chapter 10, when sentencing, cf. (1), (2), (4) and (5), emphasis shall be placed on the size of the enterprise. Similarly, this applies to lack of compliance on the part of the employer with orders pursuant to section 77 or section 77 a(1), which describe these provisions.
(7) If the benefits acquired through the contravention are not to be confiscated, fines and supplementary fines shall be set which take special account of the size of the benefits which were acquired or which were intended to be acquired.
(8) Section 23 of the Danish Criminal Code concerning complicity shall apply to the liability to penalty referred to in subsections (1) and (2).
(9) The time limits for liability to penalty shall be five years for contravention of sections 30-34, and for contravention of the regulations issued in pursuance of section 35.
82a.-(1) In specific cases of contraventions of working environment regulations which are not judged to be subject to higher penalties than fines, the Minister for Employment may lay down regulations on how the Working Environment Authority may, in notification of a fine, declare that the case may be settled out of court. This shall applies if the party who has committed the contravention admits guilt and declares his willingness, within a given time limit, to pay the fine indicated in the notification of the fine. A condition for the individual employer being subject to a fine is that the contravention can be attributed to one or more persons attached to the enterprise, or the enterprise as such.
(2) The provisions laid down in the Danish Administration of Justice Act on requirements concerning the content of indictments and on the right of the accused to remain silent, shall apply correspondingly to notifications of fines.
(3) Further prosecution shall be discontinued on acceptance of a fine.
(4) Accepted fines shall be recoverable by execution of a lien.
83.-(1) For contravention of sections 15, 15a, 16, 38(1), 42(1), 45(1), 48(1), and 82(1), nos. 2 and 3 an employer may be liable to pay a fine, notwithstanding that the employer has not acted intentionally or negligently, cf. however, subsection (3). A condition for the individual employer being subject to a fine is that the contravention can be attributed to one or more persons attached to the enterprise, or the enterprise as such. No imprisonment shall be determined in lieu of a fine.
(2) When setting the fine, section 82(2), (4) - (6) shall apply correspondingly.
(3) Insofar as the employer has discharged his duties pursuant to Part 4 of this Act, the employer may not be made liable to a fine, if employees contravene the legislative requirements concerning
84. Regulations issued in pursuance of this Act may provide for penalties in the form of a fines or imprisonment of up to two years in respect of contravention of provisions in the rules and contravention of improvement or prohibition notices in pursuance of the rules. Furthermore, it may be laid down that an employer who contravenes such provisions and notices as mentioned above may be liable to a fine, even if the employer has not acted intentionally or negligently. A condition for the individual employer being subject to a fine is that the contravention can be attributed to one or more persons attached to the enterprise, or the enterprise as such. No imprisonment shall be determined in lieu of a fine.
85. Liability to pay a fine under sections 83 and 84, 2nd clause may not be imposed on managers, etc., cf. section 23.
86. Companies, etc. (legal persons) may incur criminal liability according to the regulations in chapter 5 of the Criminal Code. Section 83(3) shall apply correspondingly.
87. Where young persons under the age of 18 are employed in contravention of the provisions of this Act or any rules laid down in pursuance of this Act, the parents or guardian may be liable to pay a fine if the work has been carried out with their knowledge.
87a. (Repealed).
Part 16 - Entry into force etc.
88.-(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 July 1977. Section 13 shall enter into force on 1 May 1978.
(2) (Transitional provision omitted).
89.-(1) Acts No. 226, 227 and 228 of 11 June 1954 on Health and Safety at Work (General), Health and Safety at Work (Commercial and Clerical Activities) and Health and Safety at Work (Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture), respectively, shall be repealed.
(2) In respect of matters on which more detailed regulations shall or may be laid down administratively under this Act, the Minister for Employment may direct that the relevant regulations in this regard in the Acts mentioned in subsection (1) shall remain in force, until they are replaced by provisions laid down pursuant to this Act. The same shall apply to regulations laid down in pursuance of the said Acts and to regulations which remain in force by virtue of section 76 of the Health and Safety at Work (General) Act.
(3) Contravention of the provisions which remain in force under subsection (2) above shall be punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to two years. Sections 83 and 85-87 shall apply correspondingly.
90. This Act shall not extend to the Faeroe Islands and Greenland.
Act No. 187 of 30 March 1999 contains the following provisions in section 5:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 15 May 1999, cf. however, subsections (2) and (3).
(2)-(4) (Transitional provisions omitted).
(5) Regulations laid down in pursuance of section 41(2) or section 58(2) of the Working Environment Act, cf. Consolidating Act no. 497 of 29 June 1998, shall remain in force until they are repealed or replaced with regulations laid down in pursuance of section 86a of the Road Traffic Act as worded in section 1, no. 2 of this Act.
Act No. 191 of 24 March 2004 contains the following provisions in section 4:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 April 2004, cf. however, subsection (2).
(2) Section 1, nos. 1 and 4, and section 2, no. 1 shall apply for the first employment of a chairman and proxy after 1 April 2004.
Act No. 425 of 9 June 2004 contains the following provisions in section 2:
(1) This act shall enter into force on 1 July 2004, cf. however, subsections (2)-(5).
(2) Section 13a(1) of the Working Environment Act, as worded in section 1, no. 10 of this Act, section 72a of the Working Environment Act, as worded in section 1, no. 14 of this Act, and section 74(4) of the Working Environment Act, as worded in section 1, no. 15 of this Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2005.
(3) Section 1, no 9 shall enter into force on 1 January 2009 insofar as concerns the repeal of section 13(1)-(4) of the Working Environment Act.
(4) Sections 13a and 13b of the Working Environment Act, as worded in section 1, no. 10 of this Act, shall only apply until 1 January 2009.
(5) Section 1, no. 18 shall enter into force on 1 January 2009.
Act no. 300 of 19 April 2006 contains the following provisions in section 2:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 28 April 2006, cf. however, subsection (2).
(2) Section 1, nos. 1-4 shall enter into force on 1 January 2007.
(3) Section 1, nos. 5-11 shall apply for contraventions committed after 28 April 2006.
Act No. 175 of 27 February 2007 contains the following provisions in section 2:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 April 2007.
(2) (Transitional provisions omitted).
(3) The Minister for Employment shall lay down more detailed regulations regarding how enterprises which, pursuant to section 78a, as inserted by section 1, no. 17 of Act no. 425 of 9 June 2004, have been covered by symbols allotted pursuant to the regulations hitherto in force on publication of the health and safety conditions at enterprises, are to be subject to this Act.
Act No. 512 of 6 June 2007 contains the following provisions in section 27:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 15 August 2007.
(2) At the same time Executive Order no. 436 of 14 June 1995 on no-smoking environments in public rooms, means of transport and similar shall be repealed.
Act No. 106 of 26 June 2008 contains the following provisions in section 35:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 March 2008.
Act No. 559 of 17 June 2008 contains the following provisions in section 2:
This Act shall enter into force on 1 July 2008.
Act No. 1395 of 27 December 2008 contains the following provisions in section 2:
This Act shall enter into force on 1 January 2009. Section 77(4) and (5), as worded in this Act, cf. section 1, no. 9, shall, however, enter into force on 29 December 2009.
Act No. 482 of 12 June 2009 contains the following provisions in section 14:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 August 2009, cf. however subsections (2)-(6).
(2)-(3) (Transitional provisions omitted).
(4) Section 77(5), nos. 2 and 3 of the Working Environment Act, as amended by section 7, no. 1 of this Act, shall enter into force on 29 November 2009.
(5)-(7) (Transitional provisions omitted).
Act No. 508 of 19 May 2010 contains the following provisions in section 2:
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 October 2010, cf. however, subsection (2).
(2) Sections 15a(5), 72(2), 77(6), 79(2), 81(1) and 83(2) of the Working Environment Act, as worded and amended, respectively by section 1, nos. 8, 11 and 14-17 of this Act, shall enter into force on 21 May 2010.
(3) Members of the health and safety organisation, who have completed a compulsory course on health and safety between 1 April 1991 and 1 October 2010, shall not complete the compulsory course on health and safety pursuant to section 9(1), 1st clause, as worded in section 1, no. 2 of this Act. The employer shall, however, offer these members supplementary courses on health and safety corresponding to a duration of 1½ days, every year during their tenure.
Act no. 442 of 7 June 2001 contains the following provisions
3.-(1) This Act shall enter into force on 15 April 2013, cf. however, subsection (2).
(2) Section 1, no. 2 and section 2 of this Act shall enter into force on 1 November 2013.
(3) For working environment certificates issued before 1 November 2013, hitherto applicable regulations shall continue to apply.
Act no. 238 of 18 March 2014 contains the following provisions
(1) This Act shall enter into force on 1 April 2014.
(2) Regulations laid down in pursuance of section 75(5)-(7) of the Working Environment Act shall remain in force until they are repealed or replaced with regulations laid down in pursuance of section 81c of the Working Environment Act.
Act no. 54 of 27. January 2015 contains the following provisions
2. The act enters into force on 1 February 2015.
Act no. 1869 of 29. December 2015 contains the following provisions
The act enters into force on 1 January 2016.
Ministry of Employment, 7 September 2010
Inger Støjberg / Lis Gamborg
*)This Act contains provisions to implement Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work, Official Journal 1989 No. L 183, page 1, Council Directive 92/57/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites, Official Journal 1992, L 245, p. 6, certain provisions in Council Directive 94/33/EEC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work, Official Journal 1994, L 216, p. 12, provisions to implement Council Directive 03/88/EC of 4 November 2003 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time, Official Journal 2003, L 299, p. 9, as well as provisions to implement parts of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications, Official Journal 2005, L 255, p. 22, as last amended by Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013, Official Journal 2005, no. L 255, page 22, and Directive 2009/104/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work (second special directive pursuant to Article 16(1), in Directive 89/391/EEC), Official Journal 2009, no. L 260, page 5.