More than 1,000 construction sites have been inspected by the Cyprus Labor Inspection Department

In 2023, the Cyprus Labor Inspection Department inspected 1,474 construction sites throughout the Island.

The inspections resulted in 12 criminal offenses and 177 disciplinary offenses.

Looking by city, in Nicosia, 603 sites were inspected in 2023, resulting in 48 disciplinary and 6 criminal penalties. In Limassol, 216 construction sites were inspected. They imposed 19 disciplinary and 2 criminal penalties. In Larnaca and the free neighborhoods of Famagusta, 429 inspections took place in 2023, resulting in 51 disciplinary reprimands and 2 criminal penalties for construction companies. Finally, in Paphos there were 209 inspections. Their total: 59 disciplinary reprimands and 2 fines.

It is worth noting that various violations and accidents during construction in Cyprus are not uncommon.

By the way, the construction sector, traditionally, is among the three industries where the largest number of accidents, including fatalities, are registered. The sad rating is headed by accidents related to falling from heights. Then come injuries caused by working with machinery - the use of cranes and hoists. In third place are accidents involving the collapse of materials or structures.

To reduce the number of construction accidents, the Department recommends practicing the following activities:

1. holding regular safety meetings - daily explanation of safety rules may seem like an unnecessary chore, but it helps to memorize the algorithm of actions during work;
2. issuing protective equipment - in addition to helmets, goggles, signal vests, and safety harnesses, modern construction companies use remote monitoring of employees using smart watches equipped with accelerometers, heart rate monitors, built-in cameras, and other functions - the watches collect data on the employee and promptly send alarms in case of emergencies;
3. use of reflective elements on clothing - reduces the likelihood of injury at night;
4. placement of warning posters at critical points, reminders, for example, of the need to use gloves or helmets;
5. replacing hazardous production machines with safe ones, taking measures to reduce noise and vibration;
6. organization of breaks in work - the foreman must be sure that the team is not working at the limit of its capabilities;
7. fight against constant staff turnover - in a well-coordinated team, the number of accidents is always less than in a constantly changing team.