– There is an incredible amount of snow on the roofs, and I get a lot of inquiries where people are unable to do it themselves. At Bortelid in Åseral municipality, we meet the Søgne boy Aleksander Kristoffersen. Together with his mate Kenneth Jørgensen, he has disappointed several cabin roofs. The village, located just under two hours from Kristiansand, houses approximately 1,300 cabins. Kristoffersen, takes on all the assignments through his carpentry company. But due to large amounts of snow, there are several cabin owners who hire private individuals to do the work. It can be punishing. Some shovel cabin roofs with the help of friends. Here is news colleague Svein Olsson at work on Pål Rud-Knudsen’s roof at Vaset in Valdres. Video: Pål Rud-Knudsen / news Can be held responsible It has snowed over the cabin fields in southern Norway and in several places there is up to two meters of snow on the roofs. Those who offer help with snow removal will be demoted. The Norwegian Labor Inspectorate warns against hiring private snow removal services. – If an accident occurs, you can become liable for compensation yourself, says section leader at the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate Bjørn Tore Hansen. – Ultimately, you have to take the financial responsibility for someone who is injured, and have to bear that burden. Most people probably think that the risk of an accident is small, since the snow lies far above the cabin wall. – I know that there have been serious accidents, even in ordinary cabins. So it can have fatal consequences, says Hansen. Last week alone, Aleksander Kristoffersen’s company received between 40 and 50 inquiries from cabin owners. – They call it white gold up here, but we have to work to find the gold. It doesn’t come for free here either. Kristoffersen and Kenneth Jørgensen try to get three to four cabins every day. But they can’t take too many such days in a row. – We take a few days off when we’re up here. Then we have to go home and do other work and rest a bit, says Kristoffersen. Klondyke conditions A scant mile as the crow flies from Bortelid, is the cottage destination Ljosland. There has been even more snow. Salve Ljosland is well underway with the snow removal around one of the area’s 600 cabins. – I expect many people to throw in the towel when they see the amount of snow on the roofs themselves. There is a difference between being told there is a lot of snow and seeing it for yourself. He is one of just under 20 permanent residents here. He coordinates snow removal for the cottage owners in the village, and the jobs are many. – It’s a bit of a Klondike situation, says Ljosland, referring to the river in Canada where gold was once found. – We are behind schedule, because winter came early this year, he asserts. Ljosland takes off the snow removal on one of today’s assignments. At the same time, Asbjørn Simonsen and Jan Øystein Dyrstad have already started shoveling the roof. – There is an enormous amount of snow here. There are many roofs that really need a drawer, says Simonsen before he sets off again with the southern drawer. – A problem we cannot get rid of On news’s tour of indre Agder, we came across two young boys who were clearing snow privately. They were aware of the issue surrounding the cabin owner’s liability for damages in the event of damage, but did not want to be named in the case. Salve Ljosland says he knows that there are several private individuals who take on snow clearing tasks. He has previously tried to recruit some of them. – I have tried to hire them on a contract basis, but they were not interested, he says. – Why weren’t they interested? – They probably want some quick money. I understand that young guys with muscles want to earn a few thousand, but I think the cabin owners must be aware of their responsibility. – It’s probably a problem we can’t get rid of, concludes Ljosland.
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The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority warns against private snow removal services – you may be liable for compensation in the event of an accident – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
