Nicosia: The Department of Labour Inspection is set to intensify efforts in the coming months to reduce workplace accidents caused by falls from height, particularly in the construction sector, according to Aristodemos Economides, the Director of the Department.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Economides highlighted that in 2025, the construction sector accounted for 18% of all occupational accidents, with trade unions PEO and SEK noting that it leads in fatal incidents. Recently, three serious work-related accidents were reported, two of which were fatal, involving falls at construction sites. The circumstances surrounding the latest case, where a worker was hit by a car, are being investigated by the police.
Data provided by Economides shows that approximately 5,000 workplace inspections occur annually, targeting 130,000 workplaces in Cyprus, including about 10,000 construction sites. Of these inspections, 3,000 focus on the construction sector. In 2025, construction-related accidents represented 18% of the total, followed by manufacturing (17.7%), hotels and restaurants (17.5%), trade (14%), and transport and storage (8.7%). The remaining 24.1% of accidents were spread across other sectors.
Economides noted a 6.9% decrease in accident rates in 2025 compared to 2024, with preliminary data showing 281.35 accidents per 100,000 employees. This marks a significant decline from 2005 figures, which recorded 859.56 accidents per 100,000 employees, and a 32% reduction since 2020.
In terms of enforcement, 42 cases reached the courts in the past three years, resulting in fines totaling £533,200 and, in some instances, prison sentences. Economides refrained from commenting on court decisions but mentioned additional out-of-court fines imposed by the Chief Inspector. Over three years, 405 fines amounting to £567,800 have been issued, bringing the total fines to £1,101,000 alongside court decisions.
The Department also uses work prohibition notices to enforce compliance with health and safety regulations, issuing 1,052 such notices in the past three years.
Trade union representatives from PEO and SEK discussed workplace health and safety following recent accidents. PEO's Nikos Andreou emphasized the need for more inspections and employer accountability for worker protection. He noted that falls from height are the leading cause of severe accidents in construction, pointing out that current penalties are insufficient deterrents despite strict legislative provisions.
Vangelis Evangelou from SEK expressed sorrow over worker fatalities, stressing that workers are more than statistics. He highlighted that falls from height are the most fatal accidents and questioned whether higher penalties could deter such incidents, given the inadequacy of current fines compared to legal possibilities.