Occupational injuries and sickness

Contact

Janne Ommundsen

HMS-rådgiver

Email

janne.ommundsen@uia.no

Phone

+47 38 14 25 17

An occupational injury is a personal injury resulting from a workplace accident that occurs at the workplace during working hours. Injuries sustained while travelling to and from work are generally not considered occupational injuries.

It is important that all near-misses, workplace accidents, and occupational injuries are reported and recorded to ensure appropriate measures can be taken, and personal injuries are properly addressed. The scope of the accident determines what needs to be reported and to whom. The timeframe for reporting in each case depends on the extent of the injury.

Near-misses and deviations

All "near-misses" and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) observations at UiA must be reported through the Speak up system as an HSE observation, either by the employee or the HSE manager.

The incident will then be followed up internally by the HSE manager.

Minor accidents

In the event of a personal injury, visit a doctor or emergency clinic. This ensures the injury is registered within the public healthcare system. The severity of the injury should be assessed based on its extent.

All "near-misses" and accidents at UiA must be reported through the Si ifra system by the employee or the HSE manager.

The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility is responsible for completing the occupational injury form for NAV together with the employee(s). This should be done as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility is also responsible for completing the occupational injury insurance form for SPK together with the employee(s). This should also be done as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

The incident will then be followed up internally by the HSE manager.

Serious accidents and fatalities

1. Notify emergency services.
2. Contact the Emergency Preparedness team: 381 42000.

The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility must notify the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) and the nearest police authority in the event of a serious personal injury or fatality related to work.

Phone number for Arbeidstilsynet: 731 99700.

Refer to Arbeidstilsynet’s website for more information and reporting forms.

The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility is responsible for completing the occupational injury form for NAV, together with the employee(s), and sending a copy to the HSE Advisor at UiA. This should be done as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility is also responsible for completing the occupational injury insurance form for SPK, together with the employee(s), and sending a copy to the HSE Advisor. This should also be done as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

The incident will then be followed up internally by the HSE manager.

Reporting occupational injuries and sickness to NAV and SPK

Occupational injuries—defined here as personal injury, illness, or death resulting from a workplace accident at UiA—must be reported to NAV. For more information about occupational injuries and diseases, visit NAV's website. Note that there is a statute of limitations of 1 year for reporting.

Occupational Injury Insurance (SPK)

Employees at UiA are covered by occupational injury insurance through the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens Pensjonskasse, spk.no). The insurance covers occupational injuries and diseases under specific conditions for injuries sustained during work, at the workplace, and during working hours.

Employees covered by the state's main collective agreement are also protected by provisions in the agreement’s general terms regarding benefits for occupational injuries. The injured party is entitled to compensation under the rules that provide the best overall compensation.

Note that there is a statute of limitations of 3 years for claims.

Reimbursement of medical expenses following an occupational injury

Here you can find more information about compensation and expenses:

NAV – Occupational Injuries and Sickness (in Norwegian)

Statens Pensjonskasse (SPK) – Occupational Injury Insurance (in Norwegian)

Compensation for personal items and equipment following an occupational injury/accident

Employees may be entitled to compensation for damaged or lost items and equipment resulting from an accident or injury, as per the Statens personalhåndbok (State Personnel Handbook), section 4.6 – Insurance and Compensation for Property Damage.

Compensation can be granted according to these provisions if the loss is not covered by other insurance schemes, such as those provided for employees or the employee's personal insurance. It is a requirement that the employee has exercised reasonable care.

1. The employee must submit a claim to the nearest HSE manager. The claim should include a request for reimbursement, along with the price and condition of the item being claimed.
2. The HSE manager will process the claim according to the applicable provisions. For further details on these provisions, see SPH section 10.22.
3. Approved compensation claims will be paid from the unit's budget.

Travel subsidy in the event of injury

You can receive a travel subsidy instead of sick pay if it enables you to work. You can also receive a travel subsidy in addition to graded sick pay.

This applies to:

• Employees who temporarily need transport to and from the workplace due to health issues.
• Employees who are entitled to sick pay. In this case, the travel subsidy replaces the sick pay. You can also combine graded sick pay with graded travel subsidies.

Please note, you will not receive a travel subsidy for transport needed during the working day (i.e., while performing your job). The travel subsidy is only provided for transport to and from work.

For more information about travel subsidies, visit the NAV website (in Norwegian)

Routine/reporting of occupational sickness

1. The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility is responsible for completing the occupational injury form for NAV, together with the employee(s), and sending a copy to the HSE advisor at UiA. This should be done as soon as possible after the occupational disease is identified.
2. The HSE manager or the nearest manager with personnel responsibility is also responsible for completing the occupational injury insurance form for SPK, together with the employee(s), and sending a copy to the HSE advisor at UiA. This should also be done as soon as possible after the occupational disease is identified.
3. The incident will then be followed up internally by the HSE manager.