Can You Run 24/7 Shift Work on a Norwegian Construction Site?

Yes, but every 24/7 pattern needs some approval. How much depends on how you split the day.

With three 8-hour shifts (3×8), you need the least approval, but not none. A continuous rotation averages 36 hours a week, and most 3×8 patterns go over that in individual weeks. You therefore need a written averaging agreement with each worker. That agreement allows up to 10 hours per day and 48 hours per week, averaged over up to 52 weeks (see our guide to averaging Norwegian working hours).

With two 12-hour shifts (2×12, day and night), which most contractors want, you go beyond these limits and need an approved arrangement first.

The Legal Framework

The Norwegian Working Environment Act (Arbeidsmiljøloven) caps daily and weekly working hours and sets minimum rest periods. Four rules matter most for a 24/7 construction site:

• The 36-hour week: On a site that runs around the clock including weekends, ordinary working time is 36 hours per week, not 40. If the site runs around the clock on weekdays only, the limit is 38 hours. This decides how many crews you need: a fully continuous 12-hour rotation usually needs five to six crews, depending on holiday and sick-leave cover.
• Rest periods: Workers must have 11 hours of continuous rest in every 24-hour period and 35 hours of continuous rest every 7 days. A tariff-bound employer can agree shorter rest periods with the tillitsvalgte (employee representatives).
• Night and Sunday work: Work between 21:00 and 06:00, and on Sundays, is only allowed when the nature of the work requires it. You must discuss the need for night work with the tillitsvalgte before starting. Employees who mainly work at night are entitled to medical examinations.
• The 8-hour night limit: Anyone who regularly works more than 3 hours at night may not average more than 8 hours per 24 hours, calculated over 4 weeks. Where the work involves special risk or considerable physical or mental strain, the 8-hour limit applies to every 24-hour period, with no averaging. Many construction tasks fall into that category. Check whether a deviation is available before you plan 12-hour night shifts.

Route 1: Authorisation from Arbeidstilsynet

If you are not bound by a tariffavtale (collective agreement), or cannot reach agreement with the tillitsvalgte, you apply to Arbeidstilsynet (the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority). It can approve averaging beyond the limits you can agree yourselves. For arrangements with working days over 13 hours or reduced rest, you must also document that the workers want the arrangement.

To apply, you need:

• signed minutes from a discussion with the tillitsvalgte (the verneombud, or safety representative, should take part)
• a work or rotation plan
• any other relevant documentation

Apply through Altinn (Norway's public digital portal for businesses) at least four weeks before work starts. Arbeidstilsynet aims to decide within four weeks of a complete application and cannot grant permission retroactively. It can refuse or attach conditions.

Route 2: Agreement with Your Employee Representatives (Tariff-Bound Employers)

This route allows:

• 12.5 hours maximum per day
• 48 hours per week on average over 8 weeks, never more than 54 hours in one week
• 36 hours of ordinary working time per week on average over up to 52 weeks

Your enterprise must be bound by a tariffavtale. If you have a written agreement with the tillitsvalgte, you can work within it without applying to Arbeidstilsynet. Many collective agreements set ordinary working time for continuous shifts below 36 hours, so check the agreement that applies to you.

Route 3: Agreement with a National Trade Union

A union with innstillingsrett (the right to recommend agreements, which requires at least 10,000 members) can agree a working-time arrangement that departs from most of the working time rules. If your work stays within that arrangement, you do not need to apply to Arbeidstilsynet. Workers must get equivalent compensatory rest. This is the most flexible route and is often used for longer rotation schemes.

Rules on All Routes

• Overtime needs a reason: Overtime is only allowed when there is an exceptional and time-limited need. It cannot be a regular arrangement or part of the shift plan.

Overtime limits depend on the route:

	Per 7 days	Per 4 weeks	Per 26 weeks	Per 52 weeks
Without agreement	10 h	25 h	–	200 h
Agreement with the tillitsvalgte	20 h	50 h	–	300 h
Permission from Arbeidstilsynet	25 h	–	200 h	400 h

• Total working time: Including overtime, total working time may not exceed 13 hours per 24 hours or an average of 48 hours per week over 8 weeks.
• Overtime pay: Overtime is paid at least 40% extra, or more if a better rate has been agreed.
• Shift plan: The shift plan (arbeidsplan) must be prepared as early as possible and no later than two weeks before it takes effect. It must be easily accessible to workers.
• Minimum wages: Construction is one of nine sectors with statutory minimum wages under generalised collective agreements. They apply to all workers on site, Norwegian and foreign, whether or not you are tariff-bound.

Key Takeaways

• Every 24/7 pattern needs some approval: 3×8 needs a written averaging agreement with each worker, and 2×12 needs an approved arrangement.
• Continuous shift work averages 36 hours of ordinary time per week including weekends, or 38 hours on weekdays only.
• Night work is capped at an average of 8 hours per 24 hours. For risky or strenuous work the cap applies to every 24-hour period, which is often the case on construction sites. Check this before you plan 12-hour nights.
• Choose your route: an Arbeidstilsynet authorisation (apply at least four weeks ahead), an agreement with the tillitsvalgte (up to 12.5 hours per day), or a national union agreement (the most flexibility).
• Rest periods are 11 hours per day and 35 hours per week. By agreement they can be shortened to no less than 8 hours and 28 hours.
• Overtime cannot be planned into the rotation and costs at least 40% extra.

Streamline Your 24/7 Operations in Norway

A well-run 24/7 project settles two things before the first shift: the legal route, and a shift plan that respects the 36-hour limit, the night-work limits and the rest rules. Start at least six weeks before mobilisation, and remember that Arbeidstilsynet cannot approve arrangements after the fact.

To minimise organisational friction and prevent financial exposure, contractors planning continuous operations should put in place a structured internal compliance procedure for working time approval and shift planning, and we can help you with that.

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