Authorised Consultancy following an Executive Order from the Danish Working Environment Authority
Regain calm and clarity in the face of an executive order
When Arbejdstilsynet (the Danish Working Environment Authority) arrives for an inspection, it can feel like a challenging day for you as a manager, the TRIO, or the safety and health organisation (AMO). Arbejdstilsynet’s visit plays a vital role in ensuring the working environment is safe and healthy – physically and psychologically. But how do you best prepare, and what should you pay special attention to if your organisation receives an executive order?
Visits from Arbejdstilsynet – what should you expect?
When Arbejdstilsynet notifies your organisation of a visit or issues an executive order, it is crucial that management, the TRIO, and the safety and health organisation are all prepared, with clear roles, responsibilities, and tasks. Every stakeholder in the company has a key function in ensuring compliance with the law and safeguarding the wellbeing of all employees.
Management
Management holds the legal and strategic overall responsibility for ensuring the organisation complies with occupational safety and health legislation and any orders from Arbejdstilsynet. When Arbejdstilsynet visits – especially when an order must be handled –management should:
- Ensure the order is read and understood, often with help from an authorised OSH adviser.
- Develop a plan for complying with the order and meet all deadlines.
- Respond to Arbejdstilsynet within the given timeframe—for example, by arranging for authorised consultancy and providing documentation of completed investigations.
- Inform relevant employees and involve both the TRIO and the safety and health organisation (AMO) in follow-up and communication.
- Translate recommendations from the investigation into concrete actions to effectively resolve problems in daily operations.
- Create space for open dialogue on safety and health, focusing on development and learning rather than blame or control.
Safety and Health Organisation (AMO)
The safety and health organisation (AMO) typically consists of management and employee representatives. AMO’s special responsibilities include:
- Assisting in planning and implementing necessary measures to comply with the order.
- Acting as a sparring partner for management and employees regarding safety and health matters.
- Ensuring that both the findings from the investigation and future efforts are communicated broadly within the organisation.
- Monitoring that follow-up activities are maintained, and safety and health work continues systematically – even after the order has been fulfilled.
TRIO
TRIO is mainly found in the Danish public sector and usually consists of management, a union representative, and a health and safety representative. TRIO plays a central role because:
- TRIO keeps focus on wellbeing, cooperation, and working conditions when facing an order.
- TRIO can facilitate shared understanding and develop solutions, turning the order into an opportunity for new learning and strengthened collaboration.
TRIO ensures that employees’ voices are heard and included throughout the process – from investigation through to implementation and follow-up.
Employees
Every employee also plays a role when responding to an order from Arbejdstilsynet:
- Employees should contribute openly to the investigation and dialogue, so issues are uncovered honestly and constructively.
- Employees must take part in implementing new initiatives and adhere to the agreed guidelines.
It is important that employees feel safe and involved in dialogue to help build a better working environment in the long run.
Types of orders
AT may issue several different types of executive orders, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The most common are:
- Standard order: Issued when violations are detected and must be corrected within a specified deadline.
- Immediate order: Issued in cases of serious or dangerous conditions, requiring immediate rectification.
- Investigation order: Issued when AT assesses that the company needs assistance form an authorised occupational health and safety consultant to investigate and resolve a working environment issue.
- Prohibition order: Issued if work poses an immediate risk to health or safety. Work may not continue until the issue has been resolved.
What does an investigation order mean for you?
An investigation order from Arbejdstilsynet may sound serious, but essentially it reflects Arbejdstilsynet’s wish for transparency around the psychosocial working environment, often due to insufficient knowledge about workplace conditions. The investigation aims to clarify whether employees’ conditions are safe and healthy and must be conducted by an authorised consultancy with expertise in psychosocial matters.
Create value – even after an investigation order
When you collaborate with an authorised occupational safety and health consultant from Human House, you get more than just help to ensure legal compliance and fulfilment of Arbejdstilsynet’s requirements. We facilitate a systematic, meaningful process that uncovers the root issues and at the same time inspires new paths and tangible improvements in your workplace.
We offer a broad range of interventions:
- Analysis and documentation of the psychosocial working environment
- Dialogue-based processes focusing on management, collaboration, and wellbeing
- Recommendations and action plans that meet Arbejdstilsynet’s requirements and strengthen your working enviroment going forward
Consultancy on orders concerning risk factors
If your organisation receives an order related to one of the five typical psychosocial risk factors, it is not mandatory to use an authorised adviser. However, it can still be crucial for achieving the best possible outcome. We can help establish a clear structure, ensure systematic action, and maintain wellbeing and safety for all.
The five risk factors
- High workload and time pressure
- Offensive behaviour, including bullying and sexual harassment
- Violence
- High emotional demands in work with people
- Unclear and conflicting work demands
Authorised consultancy guarantees security and progress
As an authorised occupational safety and health consultancy, we are approved by the Arbejdstilsynet to provide consultancy in connection with such orders. This means we have the necessary professional expertise, experience, and quality assurance to guide your organisation safely through the process.
We have assisted both small and large organisations across multiple sectors. We know how to transform legal requirements into concrete, practical actions that yield real results.
As your authorised consultant, we support you through every step of the process: from the initial contact with Arbejdstilsynet and investigation of workplace conditions to the implementation of solutions that evidence genuine improvements. We help your organisation stay compliant and, at the same time, equip you with inspiration and methods to build a working environment that promotes engagement, health, and operational excellence.
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