Farevurdering

Farevurdering is the systematic process of identifying potential hazards in a work activity, equipment, substance, or process, assessing the risks those hazards pose to health, safety, and the environment, and deciding on measures to control or mitigate those risks. In Norwegian safety practice, it is closely related to, and often used together with, the term risikovurdering.

In Norway, farevurdering is a central element of occupational safety and health management. It is connected to legal requirements under the Working Environment Act (Arbeidsmiljøloven) and the Internal Control Regulations (Internkontrollforskriften), which mandate organizations to identify hazards, assess risks, implement protective measures, document actions, and continually improve safety practices.

The process typically includes: identifying hazards associated with tasks, processes, equipment, substances, and work environments; evaluating risk by considering both likelihood and consequence; selecting and implementing controls using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment); and reviewing the assessment when conditions change or after incidents. Methods range from qualitative approaches with risk matrices to semi-quantitative or quantitative analyses, and tools such as checklists, job safety analyses (JSA), HAZID, or HAZOP may be used.

Outputs generally comprise a risk assessment record or report, an action plan with assigned responsibilities and deadlines, and documentation of residual risk. Farevurdering is intended to be a living process, revisited for new tasks, processes, or changes in the workplace, and it should involve workers and safety representatives alongside management.