Hot Work Certificate Sweden: When is Heta Arbeten Required?
Hot Work Certificate Sweden: When is Heta Arbeten Required?
If your team performs welding, cutting, grinding, or any task that generates heat and sparks in Sweden, one question is critical for safety, insurance, and compliance: When is a Heta Arbeten® (Hot Work) certificate actually required?
Many companies assume any hot work requires a certificate, but the Swedish rules are more specific. The requirement is not just about the tool you use — it's about where you use it. Understanding the distinction between a temporary and a permanent workplace is essential for any contractor, project manager, or employer in the Swedish construction and industrial sectors.
This guide breaks down the official rules in simple terms, so you can ensure your team is always compliant and your projects are always safe.
Temporary vs. Permanent Workplace: The Core Rule
The most important factor determining the need for a Heta Arbeten® certificate is the type of workplace. The Swedish Fire Protection Association (Brandskyddsföreningen), which manages the Heta Arbeten® concept, makes a clear distinction.
| Workplace Type | Definition | Heta Arbeten® Certificate Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary | Any site not specifically designed for regular hot work. Examples: construction sites, client premises, roofs, most maintenance areas. | Yes. The hot work operative, the fire-watch (brandvakt), and the permit issuer (tillståndsansvarig) must all hold valid certificates. |
| Permanent | A fixed, properly equipped area designed for hot work. Examples: a dedicated welding booth or a specially designed workshop. | No (for own staff). If the area is correctly designed and maintained, the company's own employees are generally exempt. However, external contractors working in this area may still be required to have one. |
For most contractors and service teams working on-site at client locations, the job will always be considered a temporary workplace. Therefore, the safe assumption is that a certificate is required.
The Hot Work Team: Three Certified Roles
At a temporary workplace, it's not enough for just the person doing the welding to be certified. Swedish insurance terms require a full, certified team to be in place before any work begins.
1. The Hot Work Operative (Hetarbetaren) The person performing the task (e.g., welding, cutting).
2. The Fire-Watcher (Brandvakten) The person responsible for monitoring for fire during and after the work.
3. The Permit Issuer (Tillståndsansvarig) The client's representative who assesses the risks and formally issues the work permit.
All three individuals must have completed the required training and hold a valid Heta Arbeten® certificate, which is valid for five years.
Important Update: New Rules for Foreign Certificates
As of January 1, 2023, the rules for foreign hot work certificates in Sweden have changed. Under the new norm (SBF 2022), certificates from other countries are no longer automatically valid.
Key Takeaway: Hot work certificates issued in Norway, Denmark, or Finland after June 30, 2023, are NOT valid in Sweden. Certificates issued before this date remain valid for their full 5-year period.
This makes it more important than ever for employers to verify that their workers hold a valid, Swedish-approved Heta Arbeten® certificate.
FAQ: Hot Work Certificate Sweden
Q: What is considered "hot work"? It includes any work that generates sparks or heat, such as welding, cutting, soldering, grinding, and even using tools like heat guns or angle grinders.
Q: Why is the certificate so important? It is a requirement from Swedish insurance companies. In the event of a fire caused by hot work, an insurance claim can be denied if the work was performed by uncertified individuals. The Heta Arbeten® concept has successfully reduced these types of fires by 75% since 1990.
Q: Does my company need a permit for every hot work job? Yes, if the work is performed at a temporary workplace. A risk assessment and a formal permit issued by a certified permit issuer are required before work can begin.
How Codex Group Can Help
Keeping track of certifications, rules, and compliance is a major challenge for any employer in the construction and industrial sectors. At Codex Group, we understand these requirements inside and out. We provide skilled professionals for your industrial and construction projects, and many of our workers hold valid Heta Arbeten® certificates along with other key certifications like ID06.
When your project requires hot work at a temporary workplace, we can help you find the right people with the right qualifications. We know the rules, we know what's required, and we make sure the workers we place match the demands of your specific project.
Need certified professionals for your next project? Contact Codex Group today to discuss your requirements.
References
- Heta Arbeten®. (2026). General information about Heta Arbeten®
- Heta Arbeten®. (2026). Are certificates from other countries valid in Sweden?
- Brandskyddsföreningen. (2022). SBF 2022 — New norm for hot work certificates.
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