Govt Invites Public Input on Revised Occupational Safety and Health Fees Regulations

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has initiated a public consultation process to revise the Occupational Safety and Health (Fees Charged for Occupational Safety and Health Services) Regulations, originally enacted under Legal Notice No. 50 of 2022.

The proposed 2025 regulations aim to modernize the fee structure, expand the scope of services, and align charges with current economic and industrial realities.

The review is being conducted under Section 127(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, and is part of a broader effort to enhance workplace safety and regulatory compliance across Kenya’s diverse labor sectors.

Stakeholders, including employers, workers, training institutions, and the general public, have until October 13, 2025, to submit their feedback on the draft regulations.

Changes in 2025 Occupational Safety Draft

The 2025 draft regulations introduce a more detailed and expansive fee schedule compared to the 2022 version.

Expanded Categories of Equipment and Services
The draft regulations now include detailed fees for the inspection and certification of a wider range of workplace equipment, such as:

• LPG and LNG cylinders (Ksh1,000 per cylinder)
• Boilers (Ksh1,000 per boiler)
• Cranes, lifts, and hoists, with fees ranging from Ksh5,000 to Ksh40,000 depending on capacity and configuration.

Revised Medical Examination Fees

Medical screening services have also been adjusted.

For example:

• General medical examination: Ksh800 per worker
• Blood sugar test: Ksh400 per worker
• Acetyl Cholinesterase test: Ksh800 per worker.

Training and Certification Costs

Training fees have been standardized at Ksh120,000 per class for up to 25 participants.

Proficiency training courses now range from Ksh23,200 for a one-week course to Ksh327,620 for six-month programs.

Institutions seeking approval must pay annual fees of Ksh20,000, while OSH advisers and auditors are charged Ksh15,000 annually.

Architectural Plan Approvals and Ergonomic Surveys
Fees for approving architectural plans for workplaces are tiered based on square meter coverage, starting at Ksh 1,000 for areas under 100 m² and increasing by Ksh 1,000 for every additional 100 m².

Ergonomic surveys are priced at KSh50,000 for workplaces with more than 50 employees.

Reasons for the Review

According to the Ministry, the review is driven by the need to align OSH service charges with current market rates and to accommodate emerging workplace technologies and risks.

The 2022 regulations, while comprehensive at the time, are now considered outdated in light of evolving industrial practices and inflationary pressures.

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The Ministry, through Musa Nyandusi, Secretary of Occupational Safety and Health, has stated that it aims to streamline compliance and reduce ambiguity in fee structures, which have previously led to inconsistencies in enforcement and budgeting for employers.

The proposed OSH fee revisions come amid sweeping changes to Kenya’s labor laws.

Recent reforms include the replacement of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the introduction of the Affordable Housing Levy, and the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, which mandates inclusive hiring practices for organizations with 20 or more employees.

These reforms reflect a growing emphasis on worker welfare, safety, and employer accountability across sectors.

Public Participation and Next Steps

The Ministry has made the draft regulations available for download on its official websites, labour.go.ke and doshmis.go.ke.

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Comments must be submitted via email to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected], using the prescribed template format.

The public participation period runs from September 23 to October 13, 2025.

Final regulations are expected to be gazetted later this year following stakeholder input and internal review.

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