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 regarding 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 the risk assessment and prevention plan requires skills that the employer or their staff do not have at their disposal, the employer must seek assistance from AOSH accredited service providers.
Accredited service providers and specialists
An accredited service provider is a company that has been recognized by the AOSH, based on the Regulation on the Accreditation of Service Providers and Specialists Who Provide Services to Employers in the Preparation of Health & Safety Plans at Work. Accreditation by the AOSH covers only the preparation of a Health & Safety Plan at the workplace, including risk assessment and a plan for health promotion.
The employer can then both hire accredited specialists or enter into a contract with an accredited service provider or accredited specialist.
An accredited service provider must have access to accredited specialists within the five main aspects of occupational health and safety.
The services of service providers can either be comprehensive or limited to some main aspects of occupational health and safety.
The Role of Service Providers
An expert commissioned by an accredited service provider shall act as an independent, expert person in identifying and evaluating hazards (risk assessment) in the work environment. They shall oversee the preparation of a Health & Safety Plan and a plan for health promotion and prevention measures.
They should advise employers, managers, safety representative, security officers and other employees in creating as safe and healthy a working environment as possible.
The service can be comprehensive or limited and has been classified into five main aspects of occupational safety.
- Social work environment
- The musculoskeletal system
- Chemicals and chemical hazards
- Equipment and machinery
- Environmental factors
Service providers and specialists apply for accreditation in the main aspects in which they believe they have sufficient experience and knowledge.
Application for accreditation of service providers and specialists
Applicants for the accreditation for specialists and service providers 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 receive accreditation to work in the preparation of Health & Safety Plans at work fill out the application form for specialists.
- Companies intending to provide accredited services fill out the form for service providers.
The application for service providers and specialists shall state in which main aspects the applicant wishes to work as an accredited service provider/specialist. The applicant ticks one or more boxes of the five main aspects of occupational health and safety listed. More information about them can be found under further reading below.
Applications are evaluated based on Regulation no. 730/2012. According to the regulation, the service provider is the one who provides comprehensive or specific services in the field of health and safety at work.
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 accredited before.
The persons who apply for accreditation as specialist in the preparation of plans Health & Safety Plans must have education in the field of healthcare, in the social sciences, in the field of technology or other similar special fields, depending on whether they request comprehensive or limited accreditation.
They must thus have the basic knowledge to identify, evaluate and propose improvements to hazards or any other inconvenience due to ergonomic factors.
It is important that information about education and experience, within the services/main aspects for which the person is seeking accreditation, is included with 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.
Program for accreditation in occupational health and safety
The AOSH may only recognize an individual as an expert if they have completed studies or courses on the preparation of Health & Safety Plans at work, and the institution has prepared a syllabus for such courses.
The AOSH offers digital programs for accreditation in occupational health and safety. The program is available all year round.
Renewal of accreditation and changes in activities
Service providers and specialists must renew the accreditation every four years, see the application forms.
If there are changes in the activities of an accredited service provider, such as companies merging or an employee that was linked to the accreditation is moving on elsewhere, the AOSH must be notified via the email address vinnueftirlit@ver.is.
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 Health & Safety Plan with a prevention and health promotion plan is drawn up to prevent or reduce the risk of accidents, discomfort and disease.
Five main risk factors have been classified as follows:
- Social work environment – risk factors related to management, organization and communication such as variety of tasks, working hours, flexibility, stress and support at work. Also discusses measures to prevent bullying, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, violence and more.
- Musculoskeletal system – Risk factors in the work environment, both outdoors and indoors, which relate to working conditions, working postures, work movements and physical exertion. The risk assessment should address their relationship with the nature and organization of the work (monotonous work, production work, sedentary work and more).
- Chemicals and chemical hazards – A risk assessment must be for all caution marked substances, such as toxins, gases and detergents.
- 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.
- Environmental factors – Risk assessment due to environmental factors, such as acoustics (noise), indoor air (heat, cold, humidity), work lighting, biological pests and vibration.
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.