A mandatory stoppage of all heavy and moderate outdoor work, as well as product transport and delivery work carried out using motorcycles and personal mobility devices, has been announced for today by the Department of Labour Inspection, due to extreme temperatures and the orange warning issued by the Department of Meteorology.
According to the Department’s announcement, the work stoppage applies from 12:00 to 16:00, for as long as the orange warning remains in effect, and covers inland areas of Cyprus at altitudes below 300 metres and more than 10 kilometres from the coastline.
The measure covers all heavy and moderate outdoor work, as well as delivery services for products, food, mail and other items carried out using motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, scooters and electric scooters.
For other types of work and for areas where the orange warning does not apply, the Department reminds employers and self-employed people that they must apply heat-stress protection measures as set out in the relevant Code of Practice.
Among other things, they are required to measure temperature and relative humidity at workplaces, adjust work schedules accordingly, organise frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, ensure a continuous supply of cool drinking water, provide suitable personal protective equipment such as hats, and avoid carrying out strenuous outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.
Work categories under the Code of Practice
The Department also notes that, under the Code of Practice, when temperatures range between 39°C and 46°C, the work stoppage is also determined by relative humidity levels, depending on the intensity of the work involved (light, moderate or heavy).
Regarding work intensity, the Department gives examples. Office work, supervision, bench work with light tools and ordinary driving are considered light.
Moderate work includes fence installation, concreting, bricklaying, plastering, painting, flooring installation, roof tiling, digging, forging, carrying light objects, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, mechanical work, aluminium installation, railing installation, and asphalt work carried out using mechanical equipment.
Heavy work includes intense manual labour, processing and installing reinforcement bars, assembling or disassembling moulds, digging or breaking hard materials using mechanical tools, devices or machinery weighing more than 15kg, and asphalt work carried out using manual methods.
The Department is calling on employers and workers to strictly observe the prescribed measures, with the aim of protecting workers’ health and safety during the extreme weather conditions.
(information from CNA)
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