DTU’s work environment actions and initiatives (framework)

Subpages (left column) are updated continuously in the event of changes in legislation, new executive orders, new agreements/contracts, etc.

The Danish Working Environment Act and the Danish Educational Environment Act

In relation to occupational health and safety issues, DTU employees are covered by the Danish Working Environment Act (Arbejdsmiljøloven). The Danish Working Environment Act is a framework act containing requirements for the physical and psychological working environment. The Act is supported by a number of executive orders and guidelines detailing and specifying the legislation. The

Act must be complied with in all Danish enterprises. It stipulates that the employer and the senior management are responsible for ensuring healthy and safe working conditions.

The Act also stipulates that the working environment must be managed through cooperation between the employer, work supervisors and the rest of the staff.

Students are not covered by the Danish Working Environment Act, but by the Danish Educational Environment Act (Undervisningsmiljøloven). Students are also covered by the extended scope of the Danish Working Environment Act in relation to trainees and students, as described in a guide prepared by the Danish Centre of Educational Environment (DCUM). It applies when students perform practical exercises as part of their study programme, e.g. in workshops and laboratories. DTU follows DCUM’s recommendation that the same requirements as those applicable to employees are met in these cases as a minimum.

DTU’s working environment policy

DTU has adopted a working environment sub-policy which is directional for the occupational health and safety work at DTU as a whole. The working environment policy has interfaces with other DTU policies, including the learning environment sub-policy and the gender equality sub-policy.

DTU’s working environment sub-policy concerns all aspects of DTU's activities, and the President’s Office at DTU lays down the framework and scope for DTU’s university entities’ overall compliance with this policy and the existing working environment legislation.

DTU’s working environment sub-policy stipulates that DTU’s management has responsibility and decision-making competence for the physical and psychological working environment for all staff groups, students, and guests at DTU.
DTU’s university entities must work systematically to create a responsible working environment locally, and DTU’s position is that the working environment is a joint responsibility for everyone from senior management level to the individual employee and student.

Guidelines and supportive tools

The actions and initiatives aimed at ensuring a healthy and safe working environment at DTU are supported by a number of guidelines and tools. They have the joint feature that they support the work to identify, solve, and prevent working environment problems at DTU. They have been adopted by the Corporate Work Environmental Committee, and they apply to everyone at DTU.

DTU’s supportive tools are developed to the extent that they can support the local University entities’ occupational health and safety organization. A supportive tool may be guidelines, instructions, checklists, or the like. The contents and scope of the guidelines, instructions, etc. may vary between the University entities, depending on local conditions.