Help with snow removal? Think about the Work Environment Act
Snow in much of the country forces many to work on roofs. Remember that you are considered an employer and are responsible for providing adequate protection if you pay someone to do such work for you.
Help with snow removal? Think about the Work Environment Act
There are many people who pay other people to shovel snow. For example, for the elderly or people with mobility impairments, it may be appropriate to pay someone to do the hard work.
But who is really responsible if a snow shoveler is injured on the job?
The employer is responsible for preventing accidents
For all types of work, the employer is responsible for preventing accidents. If you, as an individual, employ someone, you are an employer.
– You, as the homeowner, are the customer in this context. If you hire a person to clear snow from your roof instead of a professional operator, you as an individual take responsibility, explains Bård Hjorth, who is section manager at Norwegian Labor Inspectorate.
“You have to think carefully about taking on such a great responsibility. In the worst case, when a person is seriously injured, one can be held personally liable for the damage, says Bård Hjorth.
You are relieved of liability when you hire a company to do a job.
“If you employ individuals, the responsibility for HMS (health and safety) rests with you as the homeowner, but if you hand over the work to a company, you absolve yourself of responsibility,” says Hjorth.
All work over two meters must be secured
All work over two meters must be secured. In principle, when working on the roof, scaffolding has to be set up, but when clearing snow, it is difficult. Personal protection in the form of a harness may be sufficient for less than four hours of work.
– The Work Environment Act makes it clear – employees must be safe when working at height. What you should do as an individual is not regulated by law and many people are probably trying to do it without being sure. No person should go onto the roof unprotected. This applies to almost everyone. This is my recommendation, says Hjorth.
Teams, organizations and volunteer work. Help with snow removal
Sometimes it happens that teams and organizations take on tasks such as clearing snow from the roof. Teams and organizations need to be aware that they have an employer's responsibility to those who do the work.
For all types of work, the employer is responsible for preventing accidents. The employer must assess the risk of clearing snow from the building. The employer must then learn how to prevent risks and what to do in the event of an accident.
They do a lot of volunteer work children and youth. It is important to remember that it is important to take into account that young workers are at greater risk of injuries and accidents. So provide additional good training and information.
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Source: Norwegian Labor Inspectorate
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