Within the framework of its competence, the Labour Inspection Department of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance promoted the criminal prosecution of employers and company directors who violated the provisions of the legislation, which related to occupational safety and health issues. As a result of these prosecutions, the Nicosia District Court sentenced in 2021 the following persons. "PISSISLIMITED", a company "PISSISLIMITED", which operates in the sign manufacturing sector, to a total fine of €4.000, for the following infringements of the Minimum Safety and Health Standards (Use of Work Equipment at Work) Regulations and the Management of Safety and Health at Work Regulations, which caused serious injury to one of its employees and endangered its employees:
(a) Failure to maintain a suitable guard on the cutting blade of a circular saw-type woodworking machine, resulting in her employee, while using the machine, coming into contact with the cutting blade of the machine and suffering amputation of three fingers on her left hand.
(b) Failure to implement an appropriate safety system or risk management system to implement the preventive and protective measures determined based on the written risk assessment, the safety methods manual for machine tool use, the minutes of the safety committee meeting, and the machine maintenance record associated with this accident.
2. The company "CYFIELDASPHALTCOLTD (formerly NEMESISASPHALTCOLTD)", active in the construction sector, to a total fine of €3.000, for the following infringements of the Occupational Safety and Health (Protection from Asbestos) Regulations, which endangered its employees and other persons:
(a) Failure to send or serve a written notice to the Chief Inspector at least 14 days prior to the commencement of asbestos work, giving details of the employer sending the notice, a brief description of the form of asbestos, the maximum quantity of asbestos and the processes to be carried out, the number of workers involved and the date on which the work will commence, prior to carrying out trenching work and replacing asbestos pipes with plastic pipes.
Failure to prepare and submit to the Chief Inspector for approval a Work Plan for the performance of trenching and replacement of asbestos pipelines with plastic ones, describing, inter alia, the nature and likely duration of the work, the place where it will be carried out, the methods to be used, and the equipment for the protection and decontamination of both personnel and persons at work and third parties.
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