Background information

With more and more COVID-19 infected in Norway, measures were taken to regulate and protect people working in public transport. Bus drivers were seen as very vulnerable to infection. Closed front doors and cash-free payment were among the measures to protect the country's bus drivers. Health authorities gave national recommendations.

Content of measure

In connection with the first outbreak of COVID-19 in Norway in Mars 2020, the owners of public transport sought solutions to reduce the risk of infection of drivers and passengers in public transport. The employer association, NHO Transport, assisted its member companies to implement several measures following inquiries from shop stewards and the Health, Safety and Environment representatives, such as extra hygiene and cleaning measures. Several county municipalities introduced measures such as keeping the front door on the bus closed, avoiding passengers in the front row of the bus and banning cash ticket sales on board the bus.

Among the measures proposed by the union and mostly implemented by employers were:

• Risk assessment of employees with regard to COVID-19 infection. Employees in risk groups must be shielded with extraordinary measures.
• The use of alco locks ceases during the period due to hygiene and uncertainty associated with the spread of virus.
• The public transport company and not the bus drivers shall provide information about the situation, to prevent that drivers are infected.
• The front doors shall be closed for normal entry and exit with explanatory information in Norwegian and English as to why they are closed. The front doors will remain emergency exits.
• A clear barrier between driver and passenger shall prevent the driver from coming into contact with passengers. The distance should be at least two meters if possible.
• No cash or physical ticketing on the bus.
• More frequent and accurate cleaning given in stricter routines. Cleaning and / or disinfecting agents, paper towels and gloves must be easily accessible. In the event of a change of driver, the driver must disinfect / clean the driver's area before the next driver takes over.
• The air conditioning filter must be replaced more frequently.
• Frequent contact with exchange of information between company and shop stewards and safety representatives (HSE).

Use of measure

Used nationwide on public bus transport.

Contents

• Health and safety

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment	Sector specific set of companies Companies providing essential services	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Trade unions Employers' organisations Company / Companies Local / regional government	Companies

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The employer’s association, NHO Transport, assisted its member companies to implement several measures following inquiries from shop stewards and the Health, Safety and Environment representatives. The bus driver’s union, Fellesforbundet (member of LO), proposed several measures to protect drivers and discussed these with the employer’s association and other unions.

Views and reactions

No disagreement about the measures is noticed.

Sectors and occupations

Sources

• 15 March 2020: Safety measures for bus drivers
• 05 May 2020: Infection control in public transport