Information on occupational health and safety service providers and specialistsOccupational Health and Safety Service Providers
The employer is responsible for drawing up a written plan for health and safety at work. In preparing the plan, risk factors for the safety and health of employees are assessed (risk assessment) and a prevention plan is prepared in order to prevent occupational diseases and accidents.
Service Providers
When the preparation of a risk assessment and a prevention plan requires skills that the employer or their employees do not have at their disposal, the employer shall seek the assistance of service providers who have been authorized by the AOSH.
An authorized service provider is a company that has been authorized by the AOSH, on the basis of a regulation, whether the company has hired authorized specialists who have attended a special course for service providers or entered into an agreement with other authorized service providers or specialists.
A course for service providers is held annually at the beginning of each year. Those who apply for authorization from the AOSH are encouraged to send an application in time for the course so that eligibility for authorization can be assessed before the course begins.
The Role of Service Providers
The service provider shall act as an independent, expert entity in identifying and assessing hazards in the work environment and draw up a plan for health protection and prevention. They shall provide the employer, their representatives, safety representatives (who are nominated by the employer and elected by the employees) and employees with advice and consultation in order to create a safe and healthy work environment.
Authorization of Service Providers in the Field of Health and Safety at Work
Applicants for the authorization as a specialist and service provider must fill out an application form under the item Application below and send to the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health along with supporting documents to the email address vinnueftirlit@ver.is.
- All individuals who wish to work on the preparation of safety and health plans at work fill out the application form for specialists.
- Companies intending to provide this service fill out the form for a service provider.
Applications are evaluated on the basis of Regulation on the Authorization of Service Providers and Specialists who provide employers with services in the preparation of health and safety plans at work. According to it, the service provider is the one who provides comprehensive or specific services in the field of health and safety at work. The service provider must be able to assess and respond to hazards in the work environment. They must have access to specialists or be a specialist themselves if they work independently.
The AOSH acknowledges that the person in question has sufficient knowledge and skills to assess and respond to hazards and risk factors due to;
- motor and musculoskeletal system
- psychosocial factors
- work with machinery and equipment
- chemical factors
- environmental factors
If, in the opinion of the AOSH, a service provider is able to assess and respond to all five risk factors in the work environment, they will receive comprehensive authorization. If a service provider does not have such extensive knowledge at their disposal, their authorization may be limited to a certain type of operations.
Qualification Requirements
Below is a description of the knowledge and skills requirements for those who intend to apply for authorization as specialists in the preparation of a health and safety plan.
Knowledge
Must have completed at least three years of university studies in chemistry, chemical engineering or related sciences where the curriculum contains a great deal of chemistry.
Skills
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and assessing risks in the work environment. Shall also be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection/prevention plan.
Desirable Experience
Experience working with substances, for example in an industrial environment or in laboratories
Knowledge
Must have completed at least three years of university studies in the field of social or health sciences, where prevention and the influencing factors of health are discussed in detail. Relevant backgrounds are, for example, an education in sociology, psychology or public health.
Skills
Must know the ideology of public health and occupational health and safety and be able to apply it for preventive purposes. Must be able to provide professional advice on solutions in the preparation of a health protection and prevention plan.
Desirable Experience
Experience of projects related to psychosocial factors in the workplace that is useful in conducting risk assessments regarding psychosocial factors.
Knowledge
Must have completed at least three years of university studies in the field of health, where the structure and function of the motor and musculoskeletal system and the work physiology of the body are discussed in detail. Appropriate background is, for example, an education in physiotherapy, occupational therapy or medicine.
Skills
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and evaluating the work environment, work organization and work methods with regard to the strain on the motor and musculoskeletal system. Shall also be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection and prevention plan.
Desirable Experience
Experience of working with stressors of the motor and musculoskeletal system.
Knowledge and skills
Noise
Must have knowledge of the physics of sound and the design of structures. Relevant backgrounds are, for example, architecture, civil engineering/technology and physics.
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and assessing risks in the work environment. Must be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection/prevention plan.
Indoor Air Quality
Must have knowledge of one of the many factors that can affect the quality of indoor air. Appropriate backgrounds are, for example, an education in architecture, civil engineering, chemistry, biology and various types of health education.
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and assessing risks in the work environment. Must be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection/prevention plan.
Lighting
Must have knowledge of the physics of light and the design of structures. Relevant backgrounds are, for example, architecture, civil engineering and physics.
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and assessing risks in the work environment. Must be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection/prevention plan.
Biological Agents
Must have knowledge of biological agents, transmission routes, life cycles and probable habitats. Relevant backgrounds are, for example, food science, biology and various types of health education.
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and assessing risks in the work environment. Must be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection/prevention plan.
Desirable Experience
Experience working with risk factors of noise, indoor air quality, lighting and/or biological pests.
Knowledge
Must have knowledge of machinery and technology. Appropriate background is, for example, mechanical engineering or technical education.
Skills
Must have extensive knowledge in the field that is useful in analyzing and assessing risks in the work environment. Shall also be able to provide professional advice on solutions for the preparation of a health protection and prevention plan.
Desirable Experience
Have experience working with machinery and equipment.
Application
If a service provider has hired authorized experts or entered into a contractor/partnership agreement with other authorized service providers or experts for all five risk factors, they may apply for comprehensive accreditation. If a service provider does not have such extensive knowledge, they can apply for authorization for specific services that are then limited to certain areas, see application form.
In the case of the establishment of a new service company, the assessment of the company’s application and the specialist/s who will work for it can be carried out in parallel, if they have not been authorized before.
The application for service providers and specialists shall state in which field the person in question wishes to work as an authorized service provider/specialist. The applicant checks one box or more of the five categories of risk factors listed therein. More information about them can be found under further reading below.
Individuals who apply for authorization as specialists in the preparation of health and safety plans must have an education in the field of health, social sciences, technology or other similar fields and have basic knowledge to assess and respond to hazards and risk factors in the working environment.
It is important that information about education and experience accompanies the application. Diplomas to confirm education and confirmation of the main relevant courses must also be included. Applications with supporting documents should be sent to the email address vinnueftirlit@ver.is.
Courses for Service Providers and Specialists
The AOSH may only authorize an individual as a specialist if they have completed studies or courses on the preparation of plans for safety and health at work, and the AOSH has prepared a syllabus for such courses.
The assessment of the competence of specialists considers whether the data on education meets the requirements of the regulation or the Curriculum.
Changes in the Activities of Service Providers
With reason, we would like to reiterate that if there are personnel changes with an authorized service provider, such as a merger of companies or a specialist with certain authorization is leaving the job, this shall be notified to the AOSH.
Service Providers With Comprehensive Services
Höfðabakki 9, 110 Reykjavík, tel: 412 6000
Contact: Ingólfur Kristjánsson
Website: www.efla.is
- Anna Kristín Hjartardóttir Environmental factors
- Eva Yngvadóttir Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Helga J. Bjarnadóttir Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Halla Katrín Svölu- og Arnardóttir Environmental factors
- Jana Janícková Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Reynir Snorrason Machinery and equipment
- Theódór Kristjánsson Machinery and equipment
- Heilsuvernd Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
Urðarhvarf 14, 203 Kópavogur, tel: 510 6500
Contact: Ólafur Þór Ævarsson
Website: hv.is
- Ólafur Þór Ævarsson Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system/Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Sveinbjörg J. Svavarsdóttir Psychosocial factors
- Verkís hf Substances and chemical use/Machinery and equipment/Environmental factors
Urðahvarf 14, 203 Kópavogur, tel: 510 6500
Contact: Teitur Guðmundsson
Website: hv.is
- Teitur Guðmundsson Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Lilja Níelsdóttir Psychosocial factors
- Efla Consulting Engineers Substances and chemical use/Machinery and equipment/Environmental factors
Skaftahlíð 24, 101 Reykjavík, tel: 543 1343
Contacts: Berglind Helgadóttir and Hólmfríður Erlingsdóttir
Website: landspitali.is
- Arna Kristín Guðmundsdóttir Environmental factors/Psychosocial factors
- Berglind Helgadóttir Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Hólmfríður Erlingsdóttir Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Ingibjörg Ásta Claessen Environmental factors/Psychosocial factors
- Valur Sveinbjörnsson Machinery and equipment
- Hulda Steingrímsdóttir Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Hörður Þorgilsson Psychosocial factors
- Kristín Jónsdóttir Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
Suðurhlíð 35, 105 Reykjavík, tel 552 2070
Contact: Edda Guðbjörg Aradóttir
Website: raforninn.is
- Edda Guðbjörg Aradóttir Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Verkís Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment/Psychosocial factors
Ofanleiti 2, 103 Reykjavík, tel: 422 8000, email: verkis@verkis.is
Branches in Akranes, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, Húsavík, Egilsstaðir, Selfoss and Borgarnes.
Contact: Dóra Hjálmarsdóttir
Website: verkis.is
- Dóra Hjálmarsdóttir Substances and chemical use/Machinery and equipment/Environmental factors
- Eiríkur K. Þorbjörnsson Environmental factors
- Heimir Þór Gíslason Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment
- Forvarnir ehf. Psychosocial factors
- Líf og sál ehf Psychosocial factors
- Raförninn ehf. Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Vinnuvernd – Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal systems/Environmental factors
Holtasmára 1, 201 Kópavogur, tel 578 0800
Contact: Valgeir Sigurðsson
Website: arbeidvernd.is
- Jakob Gunnlaugsson Psychosocial factors
- Valgeir Sigurðsson Motor and musculoskeletal system/Environmental factors
- Verkís hf Substances and chemical use/Machinery and equipment
Borgartún 20, 105 Reykjavík, tel: 585 9000
Contact: Birta Guðbjörnsdóttir
Website: vso.is
- Birna Guðbjörnsdóttir Substances and chemical use/Machinery and equipment/Environmental factors
- Auður Magnúsdóttir Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Kristín Þrastardóttir Substances and chemical use/Machinery and equipment/Environmental factors
- Auðnast Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
Service Providers With Specialized Services
Suðurlandsbraut 4, 108 Reykjavík, tel 519 7510
Branch in Siglufjörður
Contact: Helga Lára Haarde
Helga Lára Haarde Psychosocial factors
Ingibjörg Guðlaug Jónsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Auðbrekka 10, 200 Kópavogur, tel 482 4004
Contact: Hrefna Hugosdóttir
- Hrefna Hugosdóttir Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Sonja Bergman Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Andri Haukstein Oddsson Psychosocial factors
- Guðbjörg Hulda Einarsdóttir Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
- Carmen Maja Valencia Psychosocial factors
- Ragnhildur Bjarkadóttir Psychosocial factors
Laugargata 1, 600 Akureyri, tel 694 1551
Contact: Áki Áskelsson
Áki Áskelsson Machinery and equipment/Environmental factors
Höfðabakki 9, 110 Reykjavík, tel: 527 7600
Contact: Áslaug Kristinsdóttir
Áslaug Kristinsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Suðurlandsbraut 32, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 893 4522
contact Hörður Þorgilsson
Website: betrilidan.is
- Hörður Þorgilsson Psychosocial factors
- Rakel Davíðsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Bjartahlíð 13, 270 Mosfellsbær, tel 899 8852
Contact: Björg Jónsdóttir
Björg Jónsdóttir Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
Skipholti 50C, 105 Reykjavík, tel: 414 4444
Contact: Erla Konný Óskarsdóttir
Website: bsiaislandi.is
Erla Konný Óskarsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Álfaskeið 74, 220 Hafnarfjörður, tel 820 4099
Contact: Eyþór Víðisson
Eyþór Víðisson Psychosocial factors/Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment
Vesturbrún 8, 104 Reykjavík, tel: 894 1186
Contact: Ragnheiður Kristinsdóttir
Ragnheiður Kristinsdóttir Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
Kambasel 29, 109 Reykjavík, tel: 783 3550
Contact: Gerða Björg Hafsteinsdóttir
Gerða Björg Hafsteinsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Lífsteinn, Álftamýri 1-5, Reykjavík, tel: 820 0040
Contact: Hannes Björnsson
Website: gom.is
Hannes Björnsson Psychosocial factors
Skógarhlíð 12, 105 Reykjavík, tel: 520 4700
Contact: Gyða Kristjánsdóttir
Website: www.hagvangur.is
Gyða Kristjánsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Yrsa Guðrún Þorvaldsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Skeifunni 11a, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 534 8090
Contact: Haukur Sigurðsson
Website: www.haukursigurdsson.is
Haukur Sigurðsson Psychosocial factors
Skeifan 19, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 588 4848
Contact: Egill Fivelstad
Website: www.heilsuvitund.is
Egill Fivelstad Psychosocial factors
Vébjörn Fivelstad Motor and musculoskeletal system
Víðimýri 4, 600 Akureyri, tel: 862 7825
Contact: Helga Þyrí Bragadóttir
Helga Þyrí Bragadóttir Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system
Rúgakur 3b, 201 Garðabær, tel: 820 0651
Contact: Hildur Friðriksdóttir
Hildur Friðriksdóttir Psychosocial factors
Lundur 92, 201 Kópavogur, tel: 864 5622
Contact: Jón Bergsson
Guðrún H. Sederholm Psychosocial factors
Jón Bergsson Substances and chemical use
Hlíðarsmári 14, 201 Kópavogur, tel: 559 1000
Contact: Eyþór Sigfússon
Website: hse.is
Eyþór Sigfússon Environmental factors
J. Snæfríður Einarsdóttir Psychosocial factors/Machinery and equipment
Grensásvegur 50, 105 Reykjavík, tel: 562 7770/897 0787
Contact: Ragnheiður Guðfinna Guðnadóttir
Website: www.hugarheimur.is
Ragnheiður Guðfinna Guðnadóttir Psychosocial factors
Suðurlandsbraut 32, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 866 0149
Contact: Björn Vernharðsson
Website: www.hugfari.com
Björn Vernharðsson Psychosocial factors
Vatnagörður 20, 104 Reykjavík, tel: 590 6400
Contact: Kristján Kristjánsson
Website: idan.is
Kristján Kristjánsson Machinery and equipment
Vesturgata 134, 300 Akranes, tel: 860 4304
Contact: Jóhannes Helgason
Jóhannes Helgason Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
Fálkagata 19, 107 Reykjavík, tel 697 3485
Contact: Katrín Ólöf Egilsdóttir
Katrín Ólöf Egilsdóttir Psychosocial factors/Environmental factors
Suðurlandsbraut 24, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 511 5508
Contact: Þórkatla Aðalsteinssdóttir
Website: lifogsal.is
Þórkatla Aðalsteinsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Bryndís Einarsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Andri Hrafn Sigurðsson Psychosocial factors
Katrín Kristjánsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Vigdís Ásgeirsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Urðarhvarf 6, 203 Kópavogur, tel: 422 3000
Contact: Þór Tómasson
Website: mannvit.is
- Þór Tómasson Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
- Gunnar Birnir Jónsson Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment
- Birgir Leó Ólafsson Environmental factors
- Ársæll Þorsteinsson Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment
- Alma Dagbjört Ívarsdóttir Environmental factors
Hamraborg 9, 200 Kópavogur, tel: 5545260
Contact: Hákon Jóhannesson
Website: www.matvaelataekni.is
Hákon Jóhannesson Substances and chemical use/Environmental factors
Bíldshöfði 9, 110 Reykjavík, tel: 558 2500/820 1842
Contact: Sigurveig M. Stefánsdóttir
Website: www.medicus.is
Jóhanna Ósk Jensdóttir Substances and chemical use/Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system/Environmental factors
Sigurveig Margrét Stefánsdóttir Substances and chemical use/Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system/Environmental factors
Móaflöt 9, 210 Garðabær, tel: 510 6500
Contact: Hildur Jakobína Gísladóttir
Website: www.officium.is
Psychosocial factors
Sólhlíð 10, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, tel 432 2604
Contact: Hildur Sólveig Sigurðardóttir
Hildur Sólveig Sigurðardóttir Motor and musculoskeletal system
Reynihvammur 5, 700 Egilsstaðir, tel 823 5560/471 2150
Contact: Tómas Stanislavsson
Website: raunvit.wix.com/raunvit
Tómas Stanislavsson Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment
Þórunnartún 6, 3rd floor, 105 Reykjavík, tel: 762-6598
Contact: Reynar Kári Bjarnason
Website: www.reynar.is
Reynar Kári Bjarnason Psychosocial factors
Hraunbrún 50, 220 Hafnarfjörður, tel: 698 3244
Contact: Lilja Níelsdóttir
Lilja Níelsdóttir Psychosocial factors
Skeifan 19, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 454 4500/663 4864
Contact: Álfheiður Eva Óladóttir
Website: www.skilvirk.is
Álfheiður Eva Óladóttir Psychosocial factors
Kveldúlfsgata 22, 310 Borgarnes, tel: 698 0076
Contact: Rakel Dögg Sigurgeirsdóttir
Rakel Dögg Sigurgeirsdóttir Motor and musculoskeletal system
Garðatorg 7, 210 Garðabær, tel: 899 4149
Contact: Marteinn Steinar Jónsson
Marteinn Steinar Jónsson Psychosocial factors
Birkilundur 12, 600 Akureyri, phone 861 5546
Contact: Valdís Brá Þorsteinsdóttir
Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system/Environmental factors
Næfurás 12, 110 Reykjavík, tel: 663 2864
Contact: Valdís Ósk Jónsdóttir
Psychosocial factors
Hraun 5, 730 Fjarðarbyggð, tel 525 5700/843 8883
Contact: Eggert Sigtryggsson
Environmental factors
Garðhús 53, 112 Reykjavík tel: 557 3635/862 2158
contact Árni Ómar Jósteinsson
Website: www.vus.is
Psychosocial factors/Motor and musculoskeletal system/Environmental factors/Machinery and equipment
Sogavegur 198, 108 Reykjavík, tel: 695 0414
Contact: Steinar Harðarson
Machinery and Equipment
Further Reading
Workplace Risk Assessment
Workplace risk assessment is an important part of preventive work where the interaction between working conditions and employees is assessed. Following a risk assessment, a prevention plan is drawn up to prevent or reduce the risk of accidents, discomfort and disease.
Risk factors can be classified as follows:
- Chemical use
A risk assessment must be performed for all chemicals labeled with hazard pictograms, such as toxic chemicals, gases and detergents. A risk assessment must also be carried out for other substances that can be dangerous, such as hot water. - Motor and musculoskeletal system
A risk assessment must be performed due to stress on the motor and musculoskeletal system. Work postures, work movements and physical exertion need to be assessed, for example due to heavy loads. The connection between these factors and the nature and organization of work (monotonous work, manufacturing work, sedentary work and so on) must be assessed. - Environmental factors
Risk assessments must be performed for environmental factors such as noise, light, heat, cold, humidity, vibration and biological agents. - Machinery and equipment
Risk assessments must be performed for the safety of machinery and equipment, such as computers, printers, hand-held tools, conveyor belts, large and small machinery, industrial machines, agricultural machines and more. - Psychosocial factors
Risk assessments need to be performed for psychosocial factors, such as diversity of tasks, working hours, flexibility, autonomy, communication and support at work. Prevention of bullying and sexual harassment should be pursued.
It is important that those who carry out risk assessments know the interplay of the different risk factors, such as how inhalation of pollutants increases during work that requires physical effort.