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A Larnaca glass processing company has been fined €18,000 following a fatal workplace accident that claimed the life of one of its employees, the district court ruled.
The case, brought by the Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance, found that MA.STA.I. GLASS MARKET LTD violated health and safety regulations, putting its workers and others at serious risk.
Investigators said the tragedy occurred because the company failed to implement safe procedures when moving a glass plate. The plate shattered, sending fragments flying and fatally injuring an employee. Authorities also cited the company for failing to properly assess workplace risks, neglecting to take preventive measures, and not maintaining an adequate risk management system.
“The company’s omissions exposed employees and others to unnecessary danger,” the Labor Inspection Department said in a statement, noting violations of Cyprus’ Occupational Safety and Health Laws from 1996 through 2020 and the 2021 Occupational Safety and Health Management Regulations.
The ruling highlights ongoing concerns about workplace safety standards, particularly in high-risk industries such as glass processing, where improper handling can have deadly consequences.
Background:
The fatal accident occurred during routine work involving the movement of a large glass plate at the company’s premises in Larnaca. According to investigators, the glass was not handled using an approved safe-work method and shattered while being moved, causing fatal injuries to an employee.
The incident prompted an investigation by the Labor Inspection Department, which found that the company had failed to properly assess the risks involved in the task, did not put in place adequate preventive measures, and lacked an effective safety management system. The findings led to criminal charges against the employer and, ultimately, to Monday’s court ruling.
