Arbejdsmiljøloven

Arbejdsmiljøloven, or the Danish Working Environment Act, is the main national law governing health and safety at work in Denmark. Its purpose is to secure a safe, healthy and productive working environment by defining the responsibilities of employers, employees and the authorities. The act applies to most workplaces with employees and covers a wide range of risks, including physical, chemical, ergonomic and psychosocial factors, as well as prevention of accidents and occupational diseases.

The core duties are distributed between employers and employees. Employers must organize and fund preventive health and safety work, conduct systematic risk assessments, implement necessary measures, provide information and training, and ensure appropriate resources and supervision. They must facilitate cooperation and dialogue on safety matters, appoint responsible safety functions when required, and maintain relevant documentation. Employees have a duty to participate in safety activities, comply with instructions, use protective equipment when needed, and report hazardous conditions and incidents.

A central feature of the act is the relief and participation rights of workers through safety representatives and workplace safety organizations. In larger workplaces, a safety structure is typically established to supervise compliance, perform risk assessments, and coordinate prevention efforts. The act also requires procedures for reporting injuries and near-misses and for continuous improvement of the working environment.

Enforcement is carried out by the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet). The authority conducts inspections, issues orders and enforces compliance through penalties, fines, or temporary bans on unsafe activities. The act is supplemented by various Bekendtgørelser (regulations) that specify detailed requirements for areas such as chemicals, noise, ergonomics, and the psychosocial work environment, and it aligns with EU occupational safety directives.