Etek calls for construction safety review after fatal Peyia workplace accident

Peyia, Cyprus. The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek) called for an immediate review of construction-site safety procedures following a fatal workplace accident that claimed the life of 52-year-old Konstantinos Posnagkof.

Police said two people were arrested in connection with the incident. Posnagkof was from Greece and lived in Cyprus.

Safety measures

Etek said all parties involved in construction projects must ensure that work does not proceed unless the necessary safety measures are in place.

The chamber said that under the Vision Zero strategy, no fatal workplace accident should be considered acceptable, with the aim of preventing all accidents at work.

“Prevention cannot be an after-the-event response, but must be incorporated early into every stage of a project, with particular emphasis on its design and planning,” Etek said.

“This tragic incident reminds us in the most painful way that health and safety on construction sites must be a non-negotiable priority.”

Collective responsibility

Etek said a Safety and Health Plan should not be regarded merely as a document prepared to comply with legislation.

The chamber said responsibility for health and safety at construction sites is collective, concerns everyone involved in construction projects and begins before work starts.

Project owners, designers, supervising engineers, health and safety coordinators, contractors, subcontractors and workers all have specific responsibilities within their roles, it said, adding that effective coordination among all parties is essential.

Etek urged the construction sector to reassess safety procedures immediately and ensure that projects do not continue without the necessary protective measures.