The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority regularly receives inquiries and tips about course providers that offer courses that do not meet the requirements in the regulations. This often applies to providers that only offer theoretical training, often online, without practical training being provided before the course certificate is issued. Others issue course certificates that must also be signed by others (the employer) to document that practical training has been provided. It is therefore often difficult to ensure traceable documentation showing that the training is sufficient.

The result may be that the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority rejects the course certificate and imposes a fee or penalty on the employer.

Training is the employer's responsibility

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has no authority to stop unserious course activities, beyond the schemes regulated for training provided by certified training enterprises. The requirement that the training must be completed, and that it must be adequate, is directed at the employer. 

Employers must therefore be prepared for the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority to reject course certificates where it cannot be traced who provided the training, what content and curriculum the training had, and whether the requirement for practical training has been met. If the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority finds that the employer has not ensured that the requirements for training in the assembly, dismantling, alteration, and inspection of scaffolding have been met, the Authority may both issue an order for training and impose an infringement fine. In the event of occupational accidents where lack of training is identified as a possible underlying cause, the employer also risks punishment.

Other examples of online training that also require practical training are the use of fall protection equipment and personnel lifts.

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority also reminds employers that training of employees must be repeated when necessary.

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