Mining service companies ordered to register with OSHA

Dar es Salaam. The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office [Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations], Mr Deus Sangu, has directed mine managements across the country to ensure that all subcontracting companies operating within mining sites are registered with Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA).

He said the directive is intended to guarantee full compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act No 5 of 2003 and to strengthen the protection of workers’ lives, health and safety, particularly in the mining sector, which is characterised by significant occupational hazards.

The minister issued the directive on February 21, 2026, during an official visit to Geita Gold Mine (GGM).

The visit aimed to inspect ongoing operations, assess compliance with labour laws, and engage management and workers on challenges affecting occupational safety and welfare.

Mr Sangu said the registration of subcontractors with OSHA is essential to ensure that all service providers operating within mines adhere to established safety standards and procedures.

He stressed that effective registration would enhance monitoring, enforcement and accountability, thereby reducing workplace accidents, occupational diseases and fatalities.

“Mining is a high-risk sector. Strict adherence to occupational safety and health laws is therefore not optional. It is a legal and moral obligation,” he said.

In a related directive, the minister ordered all employers and owners of workplaces nationwide who have not yet registered their premises with OSHA to do so within three months, from January to March 2026. He emphasised that this deadline is final and that no extensions will be granted.

He commended OSHA for conducting regular inspections across various sectors, noting that the exercise has been instrumental in promoting compliance, improving safety systems and safeguarding workers against preventable risks.

He added that the National Development Vision 2050, under its 12 strategic targets, places strong emphasis on social protection, including occupational safety and health.

“OSHA has been diligently discharging its core mandate through routine inspections and the provision of professional guidance on best safety practices, a step that significantly contributes to protecting the nation’s workforce,” he said.

Mr Sangu also praised GGM for its contribution to national economic growth, the welfare of its employees and surrounding communities, and for supporting government efforts to expand employment opportunities.

He urged mine operators to continue strengthening workplace safety systems and to foster a culture of compliance and responsibility, saying that sustainable mining must be anchored on the safety, dignity and wellbeing of workers.