Strict enforcement of industrial safety measures mandated following fatal mine accident, as instructed by Tokayev.
Kazakhstan's President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has denounced the deplorable state of labor safety after a mine collapse at Kazakhmys corporation in the Ulytau Region on February 17. According to Akorda, Tokayev attributed the frequent accidents, deaths, and injuries to gross violations of safety rules, Insufficient facility equipment with industrial safety systems, and inadequate investment in worker protection.
Tokayev ordered the government to inspect industrial facilities for compliance with safety standards and install modern security systems, such as gas alarms and seismic sensors. In addition, he directed them to digitalize facilities and improve warning systems, boost investment in industrial safety, and strengthen mechanisms of control and supervision.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on February 21 to discuss Tokayev's directives for improved industrial safety regulations. As part of this, regulatory frameworks are being revised to incorporate digitalization, introduce stricter safety requirements, support scientific research, establish specialized centers, and upgrade the legal status of state labor inspectors.
Some safety measures are under review, with a draft law on civil protection proposing tighter requirements for emergency services, stricter production control standards, and new obligations for hazardous facility owners to update their equipment regularly. Bektenov also emphasized strengthening oversight of mining plans, setting standards for early mine degassing, and collaborating with domestic IT specialists to develop innovative industrial safety solutions.
High-profile incidents like the mine collapse have raised public and professional demand for technology safety, reliability, and transparency in industrial projects. In response, Kazakhstan's selection criteria for major infrastructure investments now weigh safety, reliability, and environmental impact. Furthermore, the country is increasingly aligning its industrial safety practices with global standards, participating in international safety weeks and conferences on occupational health and safety.
An upcoming event, the 13th Kazakhstan International Occupational Safety and Health Conference and Exhibition (KIOSH 2025) in May of next year, aims to bring together industry leaders, government officials, and international experts to discuss the latest trends and best practices in occupational safety and health, particularly in high-risk industries like mining.
Science can play a significant role in improving workplace wellness and health-and-safety regulations in Kazakhstan, as government officials collaborate with domestic IT specialists to develop innovative industrial safety solutions. The government, with a focus on revising regulatory frameworks, is expected to support scientific research and establish specialized centers to upgrade safety standards in high-risk industries like mining.
