Citation

Saksvik PO, Nytro K. Safety Sci. 1996; 23(1): 53-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The regulations concerning internal control (IC) of health, environment and safety (HES) came into force 1 January 1992. The regulations say that it is mandatory for every enterprise in Norway, regardless of trade and number of employees, to establish systems for internal control. IC is defined in the following way: Systematic actions (at the enterprise level) to ensure and document that the activities of health and safety are performed in accordance with requirements specified in e.g. The Working Environment Act. The systematic actions must be described as administrative procedures. The aim is to influence the organizational level in such a way that companies take necessary actions to reduce stress and occupational ill-health which in turn will prevent injuries and workplace absenteeism.What has been gained so far in implementation of internal control in Norwegian enterprises? Can methods for implementation of IC be identified that are in accordance with principles for sound organizational learning and development? Results from an evaluation including 2092 enterprises showed that: - One year after the regulation was put into force 66% of the Norwegian enterprises had not even prepared for the introduction of IC and 58% had not heard of the IC regulations. Analyses showed that the enterprises which had not heard about IC were mainly small ones.- The status of implementation of IC was related to the change in rate of absenteeism 1990-1992.- Well-conducted implementation means that the enterprise proceeds from problem assessments, through improvements of action plans, to better documentation of routines and procedures for continually promoting and improving HES at work.