Newsroom
As scorching temperatures grip Cyprus, the Department of Labor Inspection has ramped up workplace checks to protect outdoor workers from heat exhaustion, carrying out 128 inspections in just two days and issuing multiple fines and work stoppages.
The move follows the Meteorology Department’s orange heat warning, which triggered a legal ban on outdoor heavy and moderate labor, including transporting and delivering goods, between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The measure applies to inland areas below 300 meters altitude and high mountainous areas above 1,150 meters.
Senior Labor Officer Marina Kouyiali told the Cyprus News Agency that 11 out-of-court fines were issued, along with nine improvement notices and seven full or partial work stoppages where serious risks to workers were identified.
“These inspections take place all summer, but we’ve intensified them due to the ongoing heat wave,” Kouyiali said, noting that construction sites and outdoor manual labor are a particular focus.
While some worksites were found in full compliance, others ignored the ban, facing fines that start at €500 and can go up to €1,000, depending on the severity and whether other labor violations are also present.
Kouyiali stressed that the midday work ban is enforceable by law when orange or red heat alerts are in effect. “This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a legal requirement,” she said.
Employers outside the banned zones still have a duty to monitor workplace temperatures and humidity and to take action when conditions become dangerous. That includes scheduling short breaks, rotating staff, providing shaded or air-conditioned rest areas, and avoiding hard physical labor during peak heat hours.
The Labor Inspection Department is urging both employers and workers to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as temperatures continue to soar well above seasonal averages.
