Workplace safety violations connected to a fatal workplace accident led to convictions and penalties imposed by the Paphos District Court in 2026.
According to an announcement by the Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, authorities pursued criminal proceedings against employers who breached legislation relating to occupational safety and health.
The prosecution concerned a fatal workplace accident and resulted in total penalties of €55,000 imposed on companies involved in the case.
Companies fined over safety breaches
The company K. Aristodemou (Sideras) Ltd, which operates in steel processing and reinforcement installation works, received a €22,000 fine for violations of legislation relating to compulsory employer liability insurance and workplace safety regulations.
According to findings presented before the court, the company failed to ensure the use of safety harnesses with sufficient-strength safety straps and anti-fall mechanisms or energy-absorbing devices. As a result, an employee reportedly fell from a height of around eight metres and sustained fatal injuries.
The company was also found to have failed to maintain mandatory employer insurance coverage for workplace accidents or occupational diseases.
Contractor and project owner also penalised
S. Georgiou Construction Ltd, which acted as the main contractor for the project, received a €20,000 fine for violations of workplace safety regulations that contributed to the fatal injury of a subcontractor’s employee.
The company failed to ensure that safe working methods and necessary safety measures were implemented during reinforcement installation work on first-floor columns.
The violations included the lack of appropriate scaffolding, suitable work platforms and safety barriers, as well as failure to use safety harness systems and submit required site notification documents.
CELICANDIA Ltd, as the project owner, received a €6,500 fine for failures relating to health and safety obligations.
Authorities said the company failed to submit required construction site documentation and did not ensure timely updates to health and safety plans, including risk assessments and safety measures for work carried out at height.
Suspended prison sentences imposed
The court also convicted three individuals for breaches of workplace safety regulations.
In addition to fines totalling €6,500, prison sentences of 12 months and nine months were imposed with a three-year suspension.
Also read: Motorcycle pursuit turns violent as rider strikes officer and crashes
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
