Companies with more than 50 employees will be required to set up occupational health and safety departments

New requirements for the organisation of occupational health and safety systems in workplaces are being introduced in Kyrgyzstan.

Under the new Law on Occupational Health and Safety, all organisations engaged in production activities and employing more than 50 staff will be required to establish dedicated occupational health and safety departments.

These units will be responsible for monitoring compliance with safety requirements, conducting training, analysing occupational risks and preventing workplace accidents.

For enterprises with up to 50 employees, the establishment of an occupational health and safety service will remain at the employer’s discretion. In this case, the company may either appoint an occupational health and safety specialist or engage a third-party organisation providing such services.

Occupational health and safety specialists will be empowered to demand the rectification of breaches, suspend employees who have not undergone training or a medical examination, and halt the operation of equipment if it poses a threat to the life and health of workers.