One or more employees in all local businesses are now obliged to ensure that safety measures are adhered to in the workplace, a development that has come into effect after Cyprus recently enacted the Management of Safety and Health Issues at Work regulations.
This is an important and crucial step towards enhancing safety in the workplace. A study in 2021 revealed that 38 per cent of micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses in Cyprus did not conduct regular risk assessments, while the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) carried out in 2019, revealed that 49.7 per cent of Cypriot companies failed to meet the risk assessment requirements, with 59.5 per cent of businesses employing five to nine workers not conducting systematic risk assessments.
The new regulation will now see companies designate a minimum of one employee to form what is called the Internal Protection and Prevention Service (ESYPP). Member(s) of the service will be tasked to protect employees and other people at the workplace, prevent any work-related incidents and guide top management on potential risks that could take place in their varying fields of business.
As a proactive approach to health and safety in the workplace, Cyprus’ move towards ensuring the safety of citizens at work aims to foster a safer working environment for all, and reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries.
ESYPP members will therefore play a key role in identifying, implementing and maintaining a safe working environment, while requiring relevant skills and knowledge toward identifying potential hazards in the workplace, implementing preventive measures and providing advisory assistance to employers.
Implementing Health & Safety processes can offer significant opportunities and benefits to businesses, including zero rate of accidents and work-related incidents, reduced costs and risks, lower employee absence and turnover rates, and a lessened threat of legal action. Additional benefits include improved collaboration among suppliers and partners, a better reputation for corporate responsibility among investors, customers and communities, and increased productivity.
For over two decades, EMP Medic has led the Cyprus market in delivering high-quality training programmes on life-saving and Health & Safety good practices, customised to the needs of each company, and has trained over 28,000 people from over 1,500 local businesses. It is also the first organisation approved by the Ministry of Labour (Inspection Office) to run certified training courses for First Aid.
Urging business owners to comply with the new safety regulations and ensure employees are adequately trained to protect their workforce, EMP Medic delivers training courses that focus on issues such as Risk Assessment, Fire Safety, Stress at Work and Ergonomic and Sitting Positions to name a few, while it also ensures businesses move away from any potential legal repercussions.
The 35-hour training course (ESYPP) is fully subsidised by The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) and, once completed, employees are certified to be able to contribute effectively towards maintaining a safe work environment and ensuring their business complies with legal standards.
“Compliance with the new regulation is not just a legal requirement, but a commitment to creating a secure and healthy workplace,“ asserts EMP Medic, certified to carry out these trainings.
“By prioritising workplace safety through the proper implementation of ESYPP and regular risk assessments, businesses can foster a safer, more productive work environment, in line with Cyprus’ safety regulations. Investing in employee training and risk management is an investment in the well-being of your workforce and the overall success of your business.”
