Careers: Minimum Qualifications for Kenya OSH Practitioners

Occupational Safety and Health Adviser 

For someone to qualify for approval as an OSH adviser, he or she must have the following qualifications:

1. A degree in science, engineering or medicine, and at least a postgraduate diploma in OSH, or a degree in OSH. 
2. A minimum of five years proven practical experience in OSH, plus proven basic computer skills, and be able to demonstrate knowledge and ability in conducting OSH audits.

Fire Safety Auditor

A fire safety auditor must have either of the following qualifications:

1. A minimum of an O-Level Certificate of Education, a certificate in fire engineering or fire safety having attended a course with a duration of at least six months and at least eight years' relevant experience in fire engineering or fire safety. 
2. A minimum of an O-level Certificate of Education, a diploma in fire engineering and a minimum of five years relevant experience in fire engineering or fire safety, or a degree in science or engineering, a postgraduate certificate or diploma in OSH from a course lasting not less than six months, and a minimum of five years experience in the field of safety and health. 
3. A degree from a recognized university, and experience in fire auditing in the insurance industry for a minimum of five years. 

A person who falls into any of the above categories should also have proven basic computer skills, and be able to demonstrate knowledge and ability in conducting fire audits.

Designated Health Practitioner (DHP)

A medical practitioner who wishes to be approved as a DHP must have

1. A degree in medicine and surgery, be registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMP&DB), and have a valid private practitioner licence. 
2. A minimum of five years' post-internship experience in medical practice, together with proven basic computer skills, and be able to demonstrate knowledge and ability in conducting occupational medical examinations. 

Authorized Plant Examiner

Plant examiners are approved under Sections 63, 64 65, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 of OSHA 2007. A plant examiner must have a minimum of;

1. A diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering (or equivalent) from a recognized institution, with at least eight years experience in maintaining and running plant or equipment covered by the relevant section of OSHA 2007, or 
2. A science degree from a recognized institution and at least five years experience in maintaining and running such plant or equipment, or have been enforcing the sections of OSHA 2007, relating to plant or equipment for a similar period of time. 
3. He or she should demonstrate an understanding of the theory and legal provisions governing the safety of the equipment or plant of interest, and have a minimum of 12 months proven attachment to and working with a person approved in the section of interest, together with proven basic computer skills.

Air Quality Monitor

An air quality monitor must have the following qualifications;

1. A degree in science, engineering or medicine, a postgraduate diploma in OSH from a recognized institution, and a minimum of five years' experience in OSH practice. 
2. He or she should demonstrate adequate knowledge and ability to undertake air quality monitoring, and have access to the necessary equipment, plus proven basic computer skills. 

Occupational Safety and Health Officer (Inspector)

A Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized institution in any of the following disciplines: medicine, nursing, chemistry, physics, zoology, biochemistry, engineering or occupational safety and health. 

1. He or she must also be proficient in computer applications. 
2. To practise medicine, one must have a bachelors degree in medicine and surgery from a recognized institution, be proficient in computer applications, and be registered by KMP&DB.

OSH Specialist

An OSH specialist must have a Master of Science degree from a recognized institution in any of the following disciplines: occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, industrial hygiene, safety engineering, disaster management, or occupational safety and health.