The Cyprus Workers’ Confederation (SEK) has called for the strict and effective implementation of all measures to protect workers from heat stress, warning that prolonged exposure to extreme summer temperatures poses a serious occupational hazard and can even threaten lives.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union said heat stress is not merely an uncomfortable condition for employees working outdoors or in high-temperature environments, but a genuine risk to their health and safety.
High-risk occupations identified
SEK said workers on construction sites, in agriculture, at ports, in industrial facilities, and in other high-temperature workplaces are particularly vulnerable, especially when intense physical activity, high humidity, and prolonged exposure to sunlight are combined.
The union warned that when the body cannot regulate its temperature effectively, workers may suffer exhaustion, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting or heatstroke, which in some cases can become life-threatening.
Employers urged to follow guidance
SEK stressed that protecting workers’ health and safety is primarily the responsibility of employers, who must assess risks in advance and introduce preventive measures before dangerous conditions develop.
The recommended measures include:
- Adjusting working hours to cooler parts of the day.
- Providing regular rest breaks.
- Ensuring access to cool drinking water.
- Creating shaded areas and suitable rest facilities.
The union also urged employers to fully comply with the Labour Inspection Department’s guidelines and the Code of Practice on heat stress, saying compliance should be viewed as an essential safeguard rather than an administrative obligation.
Prevention must come first
SEK said that, given Cyprus’ high summer temperatures and intense sunshine, prevention must be systematic and well organised rather than introduced only after problems arise.
The union reminded employers that occupational health and safety legislation requires them to assess workplace risks, monitor temperature and humidity levels, and take practical steps to protect workers.
It also encouraged employees to recognise the early signs of heat stress, including weakness, dizziness, excessive thirst, headaches and unusual fatigue, and to report symptoms immediately to their supervisors.
SEK said it will continue monitoring the implementation of protective measures, stressing that “no salary, no deadline and no production target can be placed above human life.”
The union added that every worker has the right to work in safe conditions and return home healthy.
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