Occupational Safety and Health Regulation as a Determinant of Employee Accountability in Kenya’s Hospitality Industry
Main Article Content
Keywords
Occupational Safety and Health Compliance, Employee Accountability, Hospitality Industry, Safety Culture
Abstract
This study investigates the extent to which compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, 2007) influences employee accountability within Kenya’s hospitality industry. Grounded in Koppell’s multidimensional framework of accountability and guided by pragmatic and mixed-method research paradigms, the study sought to examine the effect of Occupational Safety and Health Act compliance on Employee Accountability in star-rated hotels in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Drawing on data collected from 215 employees across eight star-rated hotels in Uasin Gishu County, the research employed stratified random sampling and linear regression analysis to assess the relationship between OSH compliance and accountability outcomes. Descriptive statistics revealed partial and inconsistent adherence to OSHA provisions, particularly in training, hazard identification, and provision of safety attire. While regression results showed a modest positive effect, the relationship between OSH compliance and employee accountability was statistically non-significant (β = 0.063, p > 0.05). The study makes a novel contribution by contextualizing OSH regulation within Kenya’s hospitality landscape, highlighting enforcement gaps, informal employment structures, and managerial ambivalence toward safety culture. It recommends strengthening institutional capacity for enforcement, integrating OSH into performance management systems, and tailoring sector-specific guidelines. Future research is encouraged to adopt longitudinal and comparative approaches, explore moderating factors such as leadership and informal labor dynamics, and develop mixed-method models that capture the interplay between regulatory compliance and organizational behavior.
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References
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Beddoe, A. E., & Murphy, S. O. (2004). Does mindfulness decrease stress and foster empathy among nursing students? Journal of Nursing Education, 43(7), 305-312. https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/01484834-20040701-07
Belzer, M. H., & Quinlan, M. G. (2024). The economics of occupational health and safety. The
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Gaspani, F., & Recchi, S. (2024). Job quality and health conditions in the hotel industry: the case of housekeeping workers. International Review of Sociology, 34(1), 156-178. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03906701.2024.2364175
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Hermawan, A., Rohman, A., & Seputra, R. (2022). Employee performance accountability target indicators. East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), 1(8), 1641-1650. https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/eajmr/index
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Kizito, B. A. (2023). Strategic Management Practices and Competitiveness of Fast-food Eatery Chains in Nairobi, Kenya. University of Nairobi,
Kumarasinghe, H., & Dilan, H. (2022). The Impact of Occupational Health and Safety Practices on Job Performance of Operational Level Employees: A Study in the Construction Industry, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Management, Accounting & Economics, 9(1). http://www.ijmae.com/
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Kutaula, S., Gillani, A., & Budhwar, P. S. (2020). An analysis of employment relationships in Asia using psychological contract theory: A review and research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 30(4), 100707. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053482218306296
Liukkunen, U. (2016). ILO and Child Labour Regulation in China–Prospects and Complexities. Fundamental Labour Rights in China-Legal Implementation and Cultural Logic, 139-167. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23156-3_6
Masudi, S. P., Hassell, J., Cook, E. A., van Hooft, P., van Langevelde, F., Buij, R., . . . Happi, A. (2025). Limited knowledge of health risks along the illegal wild meat value chain in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area (NMA). PloS one, 20(3), e0316596. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0316596
McLellan, R. K. (2017). Work, health, and worker well-being: roles and opportunities for employers. Health affairs, 36(2), 206-213. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1150
Mutegi, T. M., Joshua, P. M., & Maina, J. K. (2023). Workplace safety, Employee safety attitudes and employee productivity of manufacturing firms. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 21, 1989. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.4102/sajhrm.v21i0.1989
Mweshi, G. K., & Sakyi, K. (2020). Application of sampling methods for the research design. Archives of Business Review–Vol, 8(11), 180-193. https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.811.904
Nugraha, O., Sari, R. A., Riyanto, V. R. A., Isnaini, M., & Ifriana, F. (2024). Ensuring sustainable hospitality: A case study on occupational health and safety governance at Ros-In Hotel. ASEAN Journal on Hospitality and Tourism, 22(1), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.5614/ajht.2024.22.1.03
Oranga, J., Matere, A., & Njurai, E. (2025). The Mixed Methods Research Approach: An Overview. Postmodernism Problems, 15(1), 84-99. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1340683
Penela, D., & Serrasqueiro, R. M. (2019). Identification of risk factors in the hospitality industry: Evidence from risk factor disclosure. Tourism Management Perspectives, 32, 100578. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211973619301102
Plimo, J. N. o., Korir, J., & Kieti, D. M. (2024). Sowing the Seeds of Tourism Growth among Peripheral Rural Communities: Evaluating the Contribution of Missionaries’ Guesthouses to Tourism Development in West Pokot County, Kenya. African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality, 2(1), 58-79.
Saepudin, P., & Putra, F. K. K. (2023). Analyzing the application of cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability (CHSE) certification in the hotel business sector during the covid-19 pandemic: perspectives of managers. Tourism and hospitality management, 29(4), 517-529. https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/444058
Šarotar Žižek, S., Mulej, M., & Gričnik, A. M. (2024). Sustainable approach to occupational health and safety care. Journal of chemical health risks, 14(1), 801-815. https://dk.um.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=92738
Sihanya, B. (2011). Constitutional implementation in Kenya, 2010-2015: Challenges and prospects. https://collections.fes.de/publikationen/ident/fes/09857
Toyon, M. A. S. (2021). Explanatory sequential design of mixed methods research: Phases and challenges. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 10(5), 253-260. https://www.proquest.com/openview/d60ab3fdf740476a17c357af30b2b223/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2032017
Toyon, M. A. S. (2023). Introduction to research: Mastering the basics.
Tsafack, N. (2018). Accountability and Employee Performance: Case Study: Bambuiy Engineering Services & Techniques (Best) Sarl. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/147663
Turyahikayo, E. (2021). Philosophical Paradigms as the Bases for Knowledge Management Research and Practice. Knowledge Management & E-Learning, 13(2), 209-224. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1314845
Umugwaneza, C., Nkechi, I. E., & Mugabe, J. B. (2019). Effect of workplace safety and health practices on employee commitment and performance in steel manufacturing companies in Rwanda. European Journal of Business and Management Research, 4(5).
Van Wart, M., Roman, A., Wang, X., & Liu, C. (2019). Operationalizing the definition of e-leadership: identifying the elements of e-leadership. International review of administrative sciences, 85(1), 80-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852316681446
Vujičić, D., Jovičić, A., Lalić, D., Gagić, S., & Cvejanov, A. (2015). The relation between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organizational commitment among employees in the tourism sector in Novi Sad. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 36(4), 633-652. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X14527017
Walters, D., Johnstone, R., Bluff, E., Limborg, H. J., & Gensby, U. (2021). Improving Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Regulations: An Overarching Review, European Risk Observatory Literature Review. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/items/bff35656-8769-4c87-b9f5-1d531d07db68
Amin, R., & Ichsan, P. S. u. (2024). Evaluating Employee Performance: The Influence of Occupational Safety and Health, Motivation, Work Environment. Innovation Business Management and Accounting Journal, 3(3), 352-360. https://ejournal.trescode.org/index.php/ibmaj/article/view/142
Andeyo, L. M., Otuya, W. I., & Misigo, G. (2024). Effects of Flexible Work Arrangements on Employee Performance among Non-Teaching Employees in Selected Public Universities, Western Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(3), 214–228-214–228.
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of personality and social psychology, 51(6), 1173. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1987-13085-001
Beddoe, A. E., & Murphy, S. O. (2004). Does mindfulness decrease stress and foster empathy among nursing students? Journal of Nursing Education, 43(7), 305-312. https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/01484834-20040701-07
Belzer, M. H., & Quinlan, M. G. (2024). The economics of occupational health and safety. The
Economic and Labour Relations Review, 35(3), 483-498. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-economic-and-labour-relations-review/article/economics-of-occupational-health-and-safety/9C953E6BA51709B460CA0B19B706BE3B
Bernhardt, J., Langhorne, P., Lindley, R. I., Thrift, A. G., Ellery, F., Collier, J., . . . Donnan, G. (2015). Efficacy and safety of very early mobilisation within 24 h of stroke onset (AVERT): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 386(9988), 46-55. https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/135579/
Chauhan, C., & Guleria, S. (2024). Employee Retention Practices in Indian Hotel Industry. Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Reinventing Business Practices, Start-ups and Sustainability (ICRBSS 2023).https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/icrbss-23/125998440
Collins, H., Ewing, K., & McColgan, A. (2019). Labour law: Cambridge University Press.
Elshaer, A. M., & Marzouk, A. M. (2019). Labor in the tourism and hospitality industry: Skills, ethics, issues, and rights: Apple Academic Press.
Gaspani, F., & Recchi, S. (2024). Job quality and health conditions in the hotel industry: the case of housekeeping workers. International Review of Sociology, 34(1), 156-178. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03906701.2024.2364175
Giousmpasoglou, C. (2024). Working conditions in the hospitality industry: the case for a fair and decent work agenda. Sustainability, 16(19), 8428. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198428
Han, Y., & Perry, J. L. (2020). Employee accountability: development of a multidimensional scale. International Public
Management Journal, 23(2), 224-251.
Hermawan, A., Rohman, A., & Seputra, R. (2022). Employee performance accountability target indicators. East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), 1(8), 1641-1650. https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/eajmr/index
Hsieh, Y.-C., Shapoval, V., Sönmez, S., & Apostolopoulos, Y. (2023). Work challenges and health of immigrant hotel housekeepers: Part 2. Workplace Health & Safety, 71(5), 255-262. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799221148678
Jiru, C. A., & Teklu, T. (2022). Result Oriented Performance Management and Organizational Performance. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 24(1).
Kamonde, E. W. (2024). The Role of the Director of Occupational Safety and Health in the Wiba Act, 2007, in Relation to Access to Justice by Employees. University of Nairobi,
Kenworthy, T. P., & McMullen, W. E. (2014). From philosophy of science to theory testing: generating practical knowledge in entrepreneurship. In Handbook of research methods and applications in entrepreneurship and small business (pp. 20-55): Edward Elgar Publishing. https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/edcoll/9780857935045/9780857935045.00009.xml
Kim, N. K., Rahim, N. F. A., Iranmanesh, M., & Foroughi, B. (2019). The role of the safety climate in the successful implementation of safety management systems. Safety science, 118, 48-56. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753518313468
Kizito, B. A. (2023). Strategic Management Practices and Competitiveness of Fast-food Eatery Chains in Nairobi, Kenya. University of Nairobi,
Kumarasinghe, H., & Dilan, H. (2022). The Impact of Occupational Health and Safety Practices on Job Performance of Operational Level Employees: A Study in the Construction Industry, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Management, Accounting & Economics, 9(1). http://www.ijmae.com/
Kuo, N.-T., Cheng, Y.-S., Chang, K.-C., & Ying, W.-H. (2020). Establishing a measurement scale for safety culture in the hotel industry. Journal of hospitality and tourism management, 42, 12-28. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1447677019303584
Kutaula, S., Gillani, A., & Budhwar, P. S. (2020). An analysis of employment relationships in Asia using psychological contract theory: A review and research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 30(4), 100707. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053482218306296
Liukkunen, U. (2016). ILO and Child Labour Regulation in China–Prospects and Complexities. Fundamental Labour Rights in China-Legal Implementation and Cultural Logic, 139-167. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23156-3_6
Masudi, S. P., Hassell, J., Cook, E. A., van Hooft, P., van Langevelde, F., Buij, R., . . . Happi, A. (2025). Limited knowledge of health risks along the illegal wild meat value chain in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area (NMA). PloS one, 20(3), e0316596. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0316596
McLellan, R. K. (2017). Work, health, and worker well-being: roles and opportunities for employers. Health affairs, 36(2), 206-213. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1150
Mutegi, T. M., Joshua, P. M., & Maina, J. K. (2023). Workplace safety, Employee safety attitudes and employee productivity of manufacturing firms. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 21, 1989. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.4102/sajhrm.v21i0.1989
Mweshi, G. K., & Sakyi, K. (2020). Application of sampling methods for the research design. Archives of Business Review–Vol, 8(11), 180-193. https://doi.org/10.14738/abr.811.904
Nugraha, O., Sari, R. A., Riyanto, V. R. A., Isnaini, M., & Ifriana, F. (2024). Ensuring sustainable hospitality: A case study on occupational health and safety governance at Ros-In Hotel. ASEAN Journal on Hospitality and Tourism, 22(1), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.5614/ajht.2024.22.1.03
Oranga, J., Matere, A., & Njurai, E. (2025). The Mixed Methods Research Approach: An Overview. Postmodernism Problems, 15(1), 84-99. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1340683
Penela, D., & Serrasqueiro, R. M. (2019). Identification of risk factors in the hospitality industry: Evidence from risk factor disclosure. Tourism Management Perspectives, 32, 100578. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211973619301102
Plimo, J. N. o., Korir, J., & Kieti, D. M. (2024). Sowing the Seeds of Tourism Growth among Peripheral Rural Communities: Evaluating the Contribution of Missionaries’ Guesthouses to Tourism Development in West Pokot County, Kenya. African Journal of Tourism and Hospitality, 2(1), 58-79.
Saepudin, P., & Putra, F. K. K. (2023). Analyzing the application of cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability (CHSE) certification in the hotel business sector during the covid-19 pandemic: perspectives of managers. Tourism and hospitality management, 29(4), 517-529. https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/444058
Šarotar Žižek, S., Mulej, M., & Gričnik, A. M. (2024). Sustainable approach to occupational health and safety care. Journal of chemical health risks, 14(1), 801-815. https://dk.um.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=92738
Sihanya, B. (2011). Constitutional implementation in Kenya, 2010-2015: Challenges and prospects. https://collections.fes.de/publikationen/ident/fes/09857
Toyon, M. A. S. (2021). Explanatory sequential design of mixed methods research: Phases and challenges. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 10(5), 253-260. https://www.proquest.com/openview/d60ab3fdf740476a17c357af30b2b223/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2032017
Toyon, M. A. S. (2023). Introduction to research: Mastering the basics.
Tsafack, N. (2018). Accountability and Employee Performance: Case Study: Bambuiy Engineering Services & Techniques (Best) Sarl. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/147663
Turyahikayo, E. (2021). Philosophical Paradigms as the Bases for Knowledge Management Research and Practice. Knowledge Management & E-Learning, 13(2), 209-224. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1314845
Umugwaneza, C., Nkechi, I. E., & Mugabe, J. B. (2019). Effect of workplace safety and health practices on employee commitment and performance in steel manufacturing companies in Rwanda. European Journal of Business and Management Research, 4(5).
Van Wart, M., Roman, A., Wang, X., & Liu, C. (2019). Operationalizing the definition of e-leadership: identifying the elements of e-leadership. International review of administrative sciences, 85(1), 80-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852316681446
Vujičić, D., Jovičić, A., Lalić, D., Gagić, S., & Cvejanov, A. (2015). The relation between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organizational commitment among employees in the tourism sector in Novi Sad. Economic and Industrial Democracy, 36(4), 633-652. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X14527017
Walters, D., Johnstone, R., Bluff, E., Limborg, H. J., & Gensby, U. (2021). Improving Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Regulations: An Overarching Review, European Risk Observatory Literature Review. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/items/bff35656-8769-4c87-b9f5-1d531d07db68
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Published
Jul 23, 2026
Article Details
How to Cite
Kiprop Carolyne, Korir , J., & Wamwara , J. J. (2026). Occupational Safety and Health Regulation as a Determinant of Employee Accountability in Kenya’s Hospitality Industry. Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(2), 170–187. https://doi.org/10.69897/jofhscs.v4i2.376
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Author Biographies
Kiprop Carolyne, School of Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management, Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, Moi University, Kenya
School of Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management, Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, Moi University, Kenya
Jacqueline Korir , School of Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management, Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, Moi University, Kenya
School of Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management, Department of Hotel and Hospitality Management, Moi University, Kenya
John J. Wamwara , School of Law, Department of Public & Private Law, Moi University, Kenya
School of Law, Department of Public & Private Law, Moi University, Kenya