Health and Safety at Work in Cyprus: Risk and Accidents
How to check training and safety measures, what to do in the event of an incident, how to complete a report, and how to distinguish the inspection procedure from the benefit claim.
Checked: 4 October 2026.
Safety begins before an accident happens
Health and safety in the workplace in Cyprus is assessed on the basis of the risks associated with specific tasks, training, equipment and procedures to be followed in the event of an incident. The employer is responsible for organising safety measures and preventative actions, whilst the employee must follow the relevant instructions and report any hazards.
This material relates to the Republic of Cyprus and is not a substitute for equipment instructions or medical advice. Offices, construction sites, kitchens, warehouses and roadworks all present different risks. Specific activities require appropriate conditions and training; a general guidance note does not authorise you to carry out work without the necessary authorisation.
Before starting the task, find out who is responsible for safety, where the first-aid kit is kept and how to report a hazard. If the task goes beyond your training or usual procedures, ask for a briefing and an assessment.
Risk assessment and measures to be taken by the employer
A written risk assessment should describe the actual hazards and the necessary measures, rather than merely general guidelines. Ask for an explanation of the parts relevant to your task: equipment, substances, working at height, manual handling of loads and workplace organisation. A change to the process may require a review of the measures in place.
Based on the assessment, safe working practices, technical measures, training and appropriate protective equipment are organised. Clarify who is responsible for inspecting the equipment and replacing any damaged items. The use of a contractor or hired equipment does not mean that the issue of liability disappears; the terms of cooperation must be clear to all those involved in the work.
The Department of Labour Inspection sets out employers’ duty to consult with employees and their representatives on safety matters. Reporting hazards helps to assess the actual conditions.
Staff training and responsibilities
Ensure that the briefing is clear in the language used and relates to the actual task. Ask for a demonstration of the safe procedure and check that it has been understood if the explanation was limited to a caption. Particular attention should be paid to new work areas, chemicals, machinery and working at height; experience gained at another company is no substitute for local conditions.
Use equipment and safety guards in accordance with the instructions; do not disable safety guards and do not carry out operations for which you are not trained. Report any faults or shortages of necessary equipment. If your employer asks you to bypass safety measures to speed up the work, make a note of the instruction and immediately clarify the safe procedure, without creating a new risk to yourself or those around you.
In the event of an immediate and serious danger, the priority is to move to a safe place, warn others and call for the appropriate assistance. Do not continue a dangerous operation simply to take a photograph as evidence. The legal assessment of your actions and any employment consequences is based on the facts; the priority is to prevent further harm.
First aid and emergency procedures
In the event of an incident, call the emergency services when necessary; in Cyprus, the European emergency number is 112. State the location, the nature of the incident, the number of casualties and any known hazards. Do not enter areas where there are gas, electricity or unstable structures without appropriate training and protective equipment.
Provide assistance within the limits of your training and follow the instructions given by the emergency services. The workplace must have first-aid equipment and trained personnel in place, appropriate to the risks involved. Find out what the procedure is in advance; the presence of a first-aid kit does not mean you are qualified to carry out complex medical procedures on your own.
Once the immediate threat has been eliminated, inform your employer and the person responsible for health and safety. Record the time and place, any witnesses and whether medical assistance was sought, once it is safe to do so. Do not alter the scene unless it is necessary to rescue someone or prevent further harm; the original circumstances may be required for the investigation.
Accident Report
The official regulations of the Department of Labour Inspection specify which incidents must be reported and who is responsible for doing so. In the event of an accident involving an employee, the employer is responsible. Please ask for confirmation of the applicable procedure; an internal company record does not necessarily replace the required notification to the relevant government authority.
For an incident subject to notification, the official source requires that the relevant district office be informed immediately by the quickest practical means and that written notification be provided within 15 days. The category of the incident is verified in accordance with the regulations. Do not wait for the deadline to pass if immediate notification is required.
Keep a record of the incident and confirmation of the notification, if these can be obtained lawfully. If your employer refuses to record the incident or suggests altering the circumstances, contact the Department of Labour Inspection. Do not sign a report in which the equipment used, the location or the time have been altered for the sake of convenience.
Medical records and insurance payouts
When seeking medical treatment, please state where and under what circumstances the injury occurred. There is a separate insurance procedure for injury benefit; it cannot automatically be replaced by standard sickness benefit. The official guidelines provide for a combined form for claiming injury benefit and reporting the incident, with the relevant sections.
Gather your medical records, details of your employment and your claim reference number. Insurance claims are assessed by Social Insurance Services, whilst safety notifications and investigations are handled by the relevant inspection department. The payment of benefits does not automatically mean that the matter regarding the causes of the incident or any other potential claims has been concluded.
In the event of long-term consequences, clarify the next steps regarding medical and insurance procedures, the terms of your return, and any potential restrictions on your ability to work. Do not agree to consider the matter definitively closed on the basis of a single compensation payment without an explanation. If you are offered a settlement in exchange for waiving your claims, seek independent legal advice before signing.
How to prevent it from happening again
Following an incident or a hazardous event, check whether the risk assessment, equipment, training and work organisation have been reviewed. Repeating the same task without addressing the underlying causes does not make it safe simply because it has been authorised again. Ask for specific measures to be put in place and for a responsible person to be designated, particularly if you are returning to the site following an injury.
Keep a record of reports of hazards and the responses received, to the extent necessary. When making a complaint, provide the facts, the location and the nature of the work, rather than simply claiming that safety standards are poor. For matters falling within the remit of the Department of Labour Inspection, contact them; for payment issues, contact the Social Insurance Services; and for labour disputes, use the appropriate redress channel.
An operational check involves clear risks, practical training, serviceable equipment, accessible support and a well-defined notification procedure. In the event of an incident, the priority remains life and health, followed by the correct documentation and next steps. This checklist helps to organise these steps, but does not determine liability or the amount of compensation without an investigation.
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