Offshore Medicals is run by Dr Helle Wibe
Seafarer and petroleum doctor with more than 20,000 medical examinations. OEUK-approved since 2006 and approved in Denmark, Norway, the UK and Sweden.
If you have employees working at night in Denmark, they must be offered a free health assessment. Here is what the Danish Working Environment Authority says about who, when and what to remember.
Employees must be offered a free health assessment before they start in a position with night work, and then at regular intervals of less than 3 years. The requirement comes from the EU Working Time Directive and is found in collective agreements, and for those without an agreement in the Danish Working Time Act.
The employer has met the obligation by making the offer, whether the employee accepts or declines. An employee who declines can only demand the assessment the next time it is offered under the rules.
Night work health assessments are booked by phone
DKK 2,500 incl. VAT per assessment.
According to the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet), it is night work when an employee works at least 3 hours of the daily working time during the night period, or at least 300 hours at night within 12 months.
The night period is at least 7 hours and includes the time between 00:00 and 05:00. Unless otherwise agreed in a collective agreement, the night period runs from 22:00 to 05:00.
The employee must receive a full description of the assessment, in writing and orally, including its purpose, any risks and consequences, how the information is shared and stored, and whether the employer will be informed.
The employee must have at least two days to consider the offer, and the assessment may only take place with written consent. The employer must make sure the employee knows the consequences of declining.
If the assessment takes place in the company, you must notify the Danish Working Environment Authority in advance. The notification must describe the timing, scope, method, who carries out the assessment, and that employees have been informed and will be asked for written consent.
Whoever carries out the assessment sends the results to the authority and informs the employee. The results must not be handed to the employer. The authority tells the company if the results call for action.
If an employee is found not fit for night work, the employee must tell the employer, because the doctor as a general rule may not pass that information on. An employee with health problems demonstrably caused by night work must be transferred to suitable day work where the company can do so.
A pregnant employee may work at night no more than once a week. The employer must arrange this no later than 14 days after learning of the pregnancy. See also the guide pregnant offshore and at sea.
The authority recommends as few night shifts as possible, no more than three night shifts in a row, shifts that rotate clockwise (day, evening, night), and morning shifts that do not start before 06:00.
The authority does not recommend a full medical examination of everyone working at night. The assessment is not a general health check. It recommends general information from a health professional, followed by a questionnaire or conversation to identify those who should be referred for an actual examination.
If you want a scheme for your night workers, see night work health assessment or call +45 70 60 33 38. The price is DKK 2,500 incl. VAT per assessment, and the scheme is agreed on a company basis. See also for companies.
Sources: Arbejdstilsynet (Danish Working Environment Authority), Medarbejdere, der arbejder om natten, which refers to the Danish act implementing parts of the Working Time Directive, LBK no. 982 of 2024, and the act on the use of health information in the labour market. Read September 2026. This page is practical guidance and does not replace the doctor's assessment on the day.
Before the employee starts night work, and then at regular intervals of less than 3 years.
No. The employer must offer the assessment, but has met the obligation by making the offer, whatever the answer.
No. The results must not be handed to the employer. The authority tells the company if the results call for action.
Yes, when the assessment takes place in the company, and it may only start 4 weeks after the notification has been received. If it is done by the employee's own GP, no notification is needed.
Seafarer and petroleum doctor with more than 20,000 medical examinations. OEUK-approved since 2006 and approved in Denmark, Norway, the UK and Sweden.