Engelsk versjon. Identity cards in the building and construction industry

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1 Engelsk versjon Identity cards in the building and construction industry

2 The introduction of identity cards is a measure aimed at achieving more effective control of employees health, safety and working environment as well as greater accountability in the construction industry. New regulations on identity cards (ID cards) in the building and construction industry entered into force on 1 January 2008.

3 Who must have an ID card? All enterprises, whether Norwegian or foreign, that perform work on building and construction sites are required to issue ID cards to their employees. ID cards must also be used by one-man enterprises (enterprises that do not have employees). Employees of foreign enterprises that operate in the same industry in Norway must also carry ID cards. If employees are hired through an agency, it is the recruitment agency that must ensure that the hired employees have been issued with ID cards. The requirement for an ID card also applies to personnel who perform support functions such as cleaning, catering etc. where such support functions are permanently established on the site. People who transport goods to the building and construction site must also be issued with ID cards if such transport takes place on a regular basis. Tradesmen who build or carry out alterations to houses or cabins for private persons are also covered by the obligation to hold ID cards. What is a building and construction site? A building or construction site must be of a temporary or transient nature. The requirement for ID cards does not apply to fixed, permanent undertakings that perform building and construction work. For example, the requirement will not apply to a shipyard or to the production of prefabricated houses. By building and construction activity is meant: the construction of buildings fitting out and installation work the assembly and dismantling of prefabricated elements demolition, alteration and restoration work redevelopment and maintenance general construction work, for example tunnels and bridges digging, blasting and other groundwork other work performed in connection with building and construction activities, for example in temporary workshops for the maintenance of machinery used on a building or construction site.

4 Condition for the issuing of ID cards It is a condition for the issuing of ID cards that the enterprise and employee are registered in the relevant public registers. The relevant registers in this context are: The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregistret) The VAT Register (Merverdiavgiftsmantallet) The NAV State Register of Employees and Employers (Arbeidstaker- og arbeidsgiverregistret) The Central Office for Foreign Tax Affairs (Sentralskattekontoret for utenlandssaker - SFU) The National Population Register (Folkeregistret) Information about which registers the individual enterprise or employee is obliged to register with can be obtained by contacting the individual registers or the Service Centre for Foreign Workers in Oslo. Information is also available at The ID cards are issued by Norsik AS, which is also charged with the task of checking submitted information on behalf of the authorities. An ID card will only be issued if the applicant is correctly registered in the relevant registers.

5 Who can order ID cards? It is the employer who is responsible for ensuring that employees who perform work on building and construction sites hold ID cards. The enterprise must appoint a (physical) person and authorise this person to order ID cards. Departments or similar may not order ID cards. The person authorised to order cards must first apply for an applicant identity. Once the applicant is registered and has received his/her applicant identity (password), this person can order ID cards for other employees in the same enterprise. It is the applicant s responsibility to ensure that the identity of these employees is documented by a passport, Norwegian driving licence or bank card issued by a Norwegian bank. In the case of foreign nationals, their identity must be documented by, for example, a passport or driving licence with equivalent security to the same type of Norwegian ID card. A copy of the above-mentioned ID document must be enclosed with the order. In one-man enterprises, the applicant and the card holder will be one and the same person. The enterprise is nonetheless required to first register an applicant before a card can be ordered.

6 Ordering applicant identity and ID cards Electronically: A separate web page has been created for ordering cards, where the applicant can find and complete an order form. The application will be processed by the card issuer, i.e. Norsik AS. If you have any questions, please contact the service phone line for ID cards in the building and construction industry, tel The Labour Inspection Authority has also created a facts page There you will find more information about the ID card scheme. It also has a link to the web page for ordering cards. Manually: The order forms cannot be printed from the web page. Only pre-printed forms can therefore be used. The forms can be obtained by contacting: The Service Centre for Foreign Workers, Hagegata 28, Oslo The Labour Inspection Authority s information service, tel The Labour Inspection Authority s Regional and Inspection Offices Requirements concerning the information on ID cards ID cards contain the following information: Name of the enterprise or one-man enterprise Organisation number of the enterprise Name of the card holder Photograph of the card holder The card holder s date of birth and sex The card holder s signature Period of validity Card number Name and address of the card issuer

7 Period of validity ID cards are issued for a maximum period of two years at a time. If the employee is employed in the same enterprise, it is not necessary to apply for a new ID card for each project on which the card holder works during the two-year period. If the employment relationship is terminated, the enterprise has ceased to exist or the period of validity of the card expires, the employer must ensure that the ID card is sent to Norsik AS for destruction. The card holder s responsibility ID cards are personal and must not be transferred to others. The card may not be used as an ordinary proof of identity. At the building or construction site, the card must be worn visibly on outer clothing at all times. Loss of ID cards If an ID card is lost or stolen, the employer must be informed and Norsik AS must be notified immediately so that the card can be rendered invalid and a new card issued. If a lost ID card is later found and a new ID card has already been issued, the lost card must immediately be sent to Norsik AS for destruction. Sanctions for failure to hold an ID card The Labour Inspection Authority and the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway are responsible for supervising the scheme. An employer or one-man enterprise that wilfully omits to equip persons working on a building or construction site with an ID card can be fined, or, alternatively, sentenced to imprisonment. Employers and one-man enterprises may be punished if the ID card is transferred to others.

8 Questions concerning the ordering and distribution of ID cards will be answered by the service phone line for ID cards in the building and construction industry: Questions about the regulations will be answered by the Labour Inspection Authority s answer line: Further information about the scheme is available at ID cards can be ordered from The Labour Inspection Authority phone ENG