The Safety and Health Organisation
Achieve better results with an effective safety and health strategy
The main purpose of the safety and health organisation is to ensure that your company works systematically to improve the working environment, so all employees can return home healthy and safe – every day, throughout their working lives.
A well-functioning safety and health organisation is an investment that truly pays off, benefitting both individual employees and your company as a whole. Significantly lower sickness absence, increased motivation among staff, and an enhanced focus on your customers and daily operations are just some of the advantages you can achieve. However, doubling your spending on the safety and health organisation does not necessarily result in double the quality of your working environment. Therefore, how the organisation is structured and how your activities are prioritised is essential. At Human House, we are ready to help your workplace gain the greatest possible benefit from your health and safety organisation.
When is safety and health training required by law?
According to Danish law, all companies with more than 10 employees are required to have a safety and health organisation. If your company has fewer than 10 employees, there is no legal obligation to establish a safety and health organisation. Nevertheless, as an employer, you are always required to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all staff – both physically and mentally. On construction sites, there is also a legal requirement to establish a safety and health organisation if five or more employees from the same company are working on site for at least 14 days.
Companies with 10–34 employees
If your company has 10-34 employees, you must establish a safety and health organisation, consisting of one or more line managers and one or more elected safety and health representatives, with the employer or their representative acting as chair. The safety and health organisation is responsible for both strategic, overarching tasks and the daily, operational activities.
Companies with more than 35 employees
If your company has more than 35 employees, a safety and health organisation must be established consisting of one or more safety and health groups and one or more safety and health committees.
A safety and health group comprises a line manager and a safety and health representative. A safety and health committee is made up of line managers and safety and health representatives from one or more safety and health groups, with the employer or their representative as chair.
What are the requirements for the safety and health organisation?
As a health and safety representative (AMR) or member of the safety and health organisation, you are required to complete the mandatory safety and health training within three months of being elected or appointed. Human House offers safety and health training courses throughout Denmark. Read more about upcoming courses here.
As a safety and health representative, you are entitled to two full days of supplementary safety and health training during your first year as a member of the organisation. For the remainder of your term, you must be offered 1.5 days of additional training every year. These courses are chosen according to your company’s needs. Read more about supplementary safety and health training here.
What does the safety and health organisation do?
The tasks of the safety and health organisation can broadly be divided into two levels: the strategic and the operational.
Strategic safety and health work
The strategic work is managed by the safety and health committee, which serves as the organisation’s highest decision-making body. The committee is responsible for ensuring an overall plan for health and safety initiatives across the company, as well as for coordinating and facilitating collaboration between the various groups. The committee also defines the company’s safety and health policies, manages the annual review, and plans and coordinates the workplace assessment.
Operational safety and health work
Operational activities are handled by safety and health groups. They monitor and ensure daily safety and wellbeing, and are also responsible for sharing knowledge about safety and health initiatives throughout the company.
How to create a well-functioning safety and health organisation
Create a clear structure
The safety and health organisation should be structured so it can handle all types of occupational safety and health challenges – regardless of business area or company type.
Communicate and share knowledge widely
Share information on occupational safety and health challenges with all relevant employees, so everyone is informed and can contribute to solutions.
Integrate into the company's annual cycle
Schedule safety and health efforts so they align with other business activities such as strategy and budget processes.
Ensure competence and motivation
Equip the members of the safety and health organisation with the necessary knowledge, motivation, and time to perform their tasks effectively.
The annual safety and health review
Regardless of your company’s size, you must ensure that the safety and health review is carried out at least once a year. If you do not have the resources to conduct it yourself, we can do it for you. We take care of all preparations, facilitate the review itself, and manage all administrative tasks including the minutes.
Any questions?
