Most fatal occupational accidents in Cyprus occur in the construction sector and are caused by a fall from height, a study by the Research Team of the CERIDES Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with the Department of Labour Inspection, presented on Monday at a press conference.
The research concerns occupational accidents that occurred in Cyprus from 1999 to 2020. Its aim, according to the researchers, is to make the most of its findings in order to explore our knowledge and better understand the combined factors that can lead to an accident at work, while reviewing our policies and actions as a country.
The results of the survey, which examined 28,000 accidents, show that accidents at work occur 22.65% in manufacturing, 20.5% in construction, 18.52% in accommodation and food service activities, 12.6% in wholesale and retail trade and 2.13% in agriculture, forestry and fishing. However, the chances of an occupational accident becoming fatal increase sharply in the construction sector, with 38.36%, followed by manufacturing with 18.37%.
So while work on construction sites, quarries and mines account for 22% of all accidents at work, they are responsible for 40% of fatal accidents.
Moreover, analysing the causes of accidents, the survey showed that 33% of these are due to falls. In addition, it was noted that all fatal occupational accidents caused by falling from a height involved men.
Another notable finding of the survey was that 1 in 14 occupational accidents and 1 in 8 fatal occupational accidents take place on a Saturday.
45% of accidents in accommodation and food services involved 18-19 year olds. Similarly, in Construction, 50% of accidents involved people aged 65 and over. In fatal accidents, 25% of those aged 20-24 came from agriculture, forestry and fishing, while 40% came from construction.
Still, according to the survey, 77% of workplace accidents involved men. The percentage in fatal work accidents rises to 96%.
It is noted that one in four men with a work accident and one in three men with a fatal work accident come from the construction sector.
Furthermore, 43% of fatal accidents are foreigners within and outside the EU, with an increased likelihood among foreigners from third countries.
It is noted that Cyprus has the fifth lowest accident rate in the EU, recording 535 accidents per 100,000 people.
On behalf of the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Kyriakos Koussisiou, the Deputy Director of the Labour Inspectorate Department, Marios Kourtellis, delivered a welcome address. In his address, the Minister noted that information on safety and health at work is a topic to which the Ministry attaches great importance.
He said that the conference marks the start of the Week of Safety and Health at Work, which is being held this week at European level and aims to educate and inform in relation to ways of ensuring the health and safety of workers and the sustainable development of enterprises.
Reducing accidents at work, occupational diseases and dangerous incidents in the working environment is one of the most important challenges and a top priority of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, according to the Minister, who added that the study and exploitation of such findings can contribute to solving practical problems and developing know-how, with real benefits for improving the working environment and the quality of human life.
He noted that the impact of this research is multifaceted, as it is also part of the activities of the Department of Labour Inspection, which aim to promote the objectives of the Global Campaign, with a vision of "Zero Workplace Accidents".
Listening to the requirements arising from continuous technological developments and new forms of work, we focus on the development and maintenance of a positive safety and health culture within companies and emphasize the need for collectivity and effective participation and involvement of employees in safety and health issues. This is achieved through the consultation process thus ensuring healthy communication between management and the workforce, he concluded.
For his part, Professor George Bustras, of the CERIDES Centre, responding to questions, said that accidents are a consequence of a combination of factors and usually where they occur there is no written risk assessment, no prior employee training programme, no safety and health policy and no employee participation in decision making for the safety and health of the workforce.
For his part, Professor George Bustras, of the CERIDES Centre, responding to questions, said that accidents are a consequence of a combination of factors and usually where they occur there is no written risk assessment, no prior employee training programme, no safety and health policy and no employee participation in decision making for the safety and health of the workforce. He added that the survey will be used by the Department of Labour Inspection, promoting policies and targeted information campaigns, according to the survey findings.
Source: CNA
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