Any lift (elevator), hoist, or escalator installed in a building or workplace in Kenya must be registered with the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), under the Ministry of Labour, pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. DOSHS maintains records of installation and periodic examination information for all registered lifting equipment. Registration is done using DOSHS Form 20, and the equipment must also be periodically examined by a DOSHS-approved plant examiner.
Lift Registration and Examination Fee Summary Table
| Fee Type | Amount (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plant registration fee | Confirm with DOSHS | Payable alongside OSH Levy on registration |
| Examination fee (hoists/lifts) — Part F | Tiered by lift type | Set under OSH (Fees) Regulations, 2022 |
| Overnight examination fee | 6,000 per night | Where examiner stays overnight |
| Delay surcharge | 5,000 per hour | Where examiner is unable to proceed due to occupier’s lack of preparation |
The full lift examination fee schedule is published under the Occupational Safety and Health (Fees Charged for Occupational Safety and Health Services) Regulations, 2022 (Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 49, 29 March 2022). Confirm exact amounts for specific lift types directly with DOSHS.
Application Process
The building owner or occupier completes DOSHS Form 20 (plant self-assessment), submits it with the applicable registration fee and OSH Levy payment slip to DOSHS headquarters. Once approved, a registration certificate is issued and must be displayed on or near the equipment. Periodic examination by an approved examiner is required to maintain the certificate’s validity.
