Is your company prepared for the new legislative changes for statutory health and safety committees?

From 1 January 2024, more companies than before will have to set up working environment committees (AMU) and elect safety representatives.

According to current regulations, companies with more than 50 employees must establish an AMU. If a party so requires, an AMU must also be established in companies with between 20-50 employees. From 1 January 2024, the threshold values will be adjusted downwards. This means that an AMU must be established in companies with more than 30 employees, and in companies with between 10-30 employees if one of the parties so requires.

Where the company has an uneven number of employees, the average number of employees during the last calendar year is used as a basis.
When calculating the number of employees, anyone who works at least 20 hours a week shall be included.

The downward adjustment of the threshold values is intended to ensure that more companies establish co-operation bodies, such as AMU, to ensure a fully responsible working environment.

What is a working environment committee and what should it work on?

The AMU is a co-operative body in which employers, employees and occupational health services are represented. The committee shall work to ensure a fully acceptable working environment in the organisation. This includes, among other things, participation in the planning of health, safety and environmental work, as well as closely monitoring the development of the working environment.

Working environment committee members and management

The AMU shall consist of an equal number of representatives from both the employer and the employees. The employer chooses its own representatives, subject to the proviso that the manager of the organisation or a
representative from senior management should always be present.

On the employee side, the chief safety representative must always be present. The employees' other representatives are elected by secret and written majority vote. All employees, with the exception of the company's top manager, have the right to vote and are eligible for election.
Deputies shall also be elected for the representatives.

AMU members are elected for two years at a time. The chair of the committee is elected by the committee members for one year at a time. The chair of the working environment committee shall be elected every other time from the employer and employee side.

If a secretary is not appointed, the AMU chair will be responsible for convening meetings, management, minutes and the written annual report.

Frequency of meetings

AMU is free to choose how often it holds meetings. Normally, however, four meetings should be held each year.
If two committee members so request, the committee shall also hold a meeting.

Training of AMU members

Under the Working Environment Act, AMU members have the same training requirements as safety representatives. In principle, committee members must therefore have 40 hours of training. However, the parties can agree on a shorter training period if the risk conditions in the workplace so require.

The training shall preferably take place during normal working hours. The employee is also entitled to normal pay during the training. The employer shall cover the training of members.

Tips for businesses

• Information for employees: Communicate clearly with all employees about the upcoming establishment of AMU, what it entails and what tasks the committee will be responsible for.
• The selection process: Organise a democratic election process to elect representatives to the AMU. Involve employees and employee representatives to ensure broad participation.
• Training: Ensure that elected members receive the necessary training to fulfil their roles effectively and in accordance with legal requirements.

We are currently advising employers on establishing working environment committees and adapting companies to new legislative changes in the Working Environment Act.
Feel free to contact us for a closer chat.