Exposure

An exposure register is a record that documents employees’ potential and actual exposure to hazardous sources or processes. This includes accidents, spills and other incidents that may have resulted in exposure. The register makes it possible to document past exposures and is particularly important in cases of suspected occupational disease or in connection with compensation claims.

To protect employees, the Working Environment Act and the Regulations on the Performance of Work, Chapter 31, require organisations to maintain an exposure register when working with carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic chemicals (CMR substances), as well as other particularly hazardous exposures as described in the regulations. As illness may develop many years after exposure, it is crucial that such conditions are recorded on an ongoing basis.

Exposure related to hazardous sources or processes, including:

• Chemicals (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic)
• Asbestos
• Mining and quarrying
• Biological material
• Radiation

Only specific chemicals and types of exposure are subject to the registration requirement, as further described in the Regulations on the Performance of Work, Chapter 31.

Several occupational groups may be exposed to hazardous substances and processes, including:

• Employees in industry (chemical industry, metal production, welding and woodworking)
• Employees in construction and civil engineering (demolition, remediation, and work involving asbestos and concrete dust)
• Employees in healthcare and laboratories (radiation, chemicals and infectious agents)
• Employees in cleaning, waste collection and waste management (biological material and hazardous waste)
• Employees in mines and tunnels (dust, gases and residues from explosives)
• Employees in energy and research (radioactive material and ionising radiation)

The content of an exposure register is clearly defined in the Regulations on the Performance of Work. Depending on the type of exposure, the required information may vary, but an exposure register will typically include:

• Employee details, such as name, national identity number and job title
• Description of the work carried out
• Workplace or location
• Information about the exposure, including exposure level, frequency and duration

Chemical exposure can be prevented by identifying risks, carrying out risk assessments and implementing preventive measures. These may include substitution of hazardous chemicals, technical measures such as ventilation, organisational measures, use of appropriate personal protective equipment and adequate employee training.

Yes, Norwegian organisations are required to keep an exposure register for employees who are, or may be, exposed to certain hazardous chemicals or processes. The register must document who has been exposed, what they were exposed to and over what period, in accordance with applicable regulations.

Information from the exposure register must be made available during inspections by authorities, such as the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. In some cases, there may also be a requirement to submit information upon request, or in connection with follow-up of occupational injuries or occupational diseases.

The employer is responsible for establishing and maintaining the exposure register. Occupational health services may assist in this work, but the responsibility cannot be delegated.

Information in the exposure register must be retained for a very long period, often between 40 and 60 years, depending on the type of exposure. The information must be available for as long as the employee is alive and may be critical documentation in cases of occupational disease and potential compensation claims.

Yes, both current and former employees have the right to access their own entries in the exposure register.

Yes, linking the exposure register with the chemical inventory and risk assessments provides a more comprehensive overview and supports better follow-up and prevention.

Yes, a digital exposure register makes it easy to record, store and update exposure data in a structured and clear manner.