HR Explained: What's the HSE round — and what do you need to check?

This autumn, many companies are running their first HSE round since the rules got stricter. On 1 January 2026, the rules got tighter and fines for gaps went up. Here's everything you need to check.

Mathias Linnerud

: Aug 25, 2026, 11:30:32 AM | : 25. August 2026

Summary

The HSE round reviews working conditions in the company — both the physical and the psychosocial work environment.
From 1 January 2026, the rules got stricter and fines for gaps went up, so there's extra reason to take this year's round seriously.
The manager and safety representative must always take part. If you have a Working Environment Committee (AMU), relevant reps should join too.
Don't forget home offices, employees who work alone, temporary and hired-in staff, and the risks from new technology and AI.
Document everything you find: participants, what you reviewed, gaps, actions with an owner and deadline, and the date for the next review.

The HSE round probably wasn't the first thing you thought about when you started a company. But it matters more now than ever. On 1 January 2026, the rules got stricter — and so did the penalties for breaking them.

What is the HSE round?

HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) is about making sure employees are safe and well at work. The HSE round reviews working conditions in the company. The goal is to map risks and prevent accidents before they happen.

It mainly covers two things: the physical and the psychosocial work environment.

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The physical work environment:

Ergonomics: furniture, screens, lighting
Air and noise: air quality, temperature and sound
Fire safety: escape routes, fire-fighting equipment and fire drills
Order: tidiness and cleanliness
Hazardous equipment: chemicals, dangerous machines and tools

Psychosocial work environment

Workload and control: Is work distributed evenly? Who's at risk of becoming overloaded?
Social relationships: conflicts, harassment, exclusion
Leadership and feedback: expectations, and communication between leadership and employees
Mastery and meaning: varied tasks, meaningful work, a sense of mastery
Whistleblowing: Do employees know how to report misconduct or wrongdoing?

Who takes it?

At minimum, the manager and the safety representative should take part in the HSE round. If your company has a Working Environment Committee (AMU), relevant reps from there should join too.

Don't forget…

Some things are easy to miss in the HSE round. If you've forgotten one before, you're far from alone. Most people probably have. But here they are, so now there's no excuse.

Home office

The Working Environment Act (Norway's core health and safety law) also applies to home offices, so make sure any employees working from home have proper working conditions.

Employees who work alone

Some roles are lonelier than others, which can make social contact even more important. Make sure employees who work alone aren't left out, but feel part of the team.

Temporary and hired-in staff

Summer temps, consultants and hired-in workers work for you too. So remember them in the HSE round.

New technology and AI

New technologies, tools and toys are exciting. But watch out for excessive strain on the people asked to try them out. Map the risks of using them too.

It must be documented

Everything you find during the HSE round must be documented. It's best to have proof ready if the Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) comes knocking. But you don't need to overcomplicate it. Good documentation only needs to include:

Participants
What you reviewed
Any gaps or risks you found
Actions, who's responsible, and the deadline
Date for the next review

So that's the HSE round. The name might sound scary and complicated, but it's actually pretty straightforward.

FAQ

Do all companies need an HSE round?

Yes. The duty to carry out systematic HSE work applies to all companies with employees, regardless of size. The scope adapts to company size and risk profile, but the documentation and review requirements are the same.

What's the difference between an HSE round and a safety walkthrough?

A safety walkthrough is a physical inspection of premises and equipment. The HSE round is broader — it covers the whole of systematic HSE work, including the psychosocial work environment, risk assessments, and follow-up on actions. Both matter, and they complement each other.

Who should take part?

At minimum: the manager and the safety representative. In companies with a Working Environment Committee (AMU), relevant reps should be involved. There's no requirement for all employees to take part, but gathering views from a broad group can be useful.

What happens if we don't carry out the HSE round?

The Labour Inspection Authority can issue orders and fines. From 2026, the risk of ignoring HSE, or having missing actions, is higher. Beyond that: employees who experience a poor work environment that nobody addresses either quit — or go on sick leave.

Do the HSE requirements apply to home offices?

Yes. The Working Environment Act also applies to the home workplace. Employers must ensure employees have a proper home office setup — in practice, through a routine where employees assess and report on their home office.

Systematic HSE work isn't something you do once and file away. It's an ongoing commitment — and from 2026, expectations are higher than before.

But it doesn't need to be complicated. A good HSE round, well documented, with clear follow-up plans: that's really all it takes.