Filenews 17 August 2023
Suffocating weather conditions remain in the coming days, turning Cyprus into a furnace. Beyond the 41 degrees that detract from the island, humidity, apnea and dust are expected today.
The extreme heat led the Department of Meteorology to issue a new orange warning for mountainous areas as well as a new yellow warning for the interior, while a "red alert" for the risk of fire explosion was issued by the Department of Forests. For his part, the senior officer, Michalis Mouskos, told "F" that there are indications of a further rise in temperature from next week. In view of the high temperatures, the Department of Labour Inspection, both yesterday and today, reminded that measures must be taken to protect citizens and all outdoor heavy and moderate work as well as delivery by two-wheeler must be suspended.
Mr. Mouskos specifically noted that from 12:00 to 18:00 an orange warning will be in force, as "the maximum temperature in the higher mountains is expected to rise to 34 degrees Celsius." In addition, from 12:00 to 18:00 a yellow warning will be in effect for the interior, as the temperature will rise around 41 degrees.
"Increased humidity is expected, especially in coastal areas and in the interior, due to which fog will be observed during the morning hours," he said, adding that levels of discomfort from heat and humidity will also intensify the fact of apnea. "Over the weekend it is not excluded that there will be a slight drop, up to two degrees," however, there are suspicions that from next Tuesday the temperature will rise again to more than 40 degrees.
In view of the extreme heat and the orange warning, the Department of Labour Inspection issued instructions to employers and employees for protection measures in view of the heat wave on the basis of the relevant decree approved at the end of July by the Council of Ministers.
In particular, it informs employers and self-employed persons that it is required to stop between the hours of 12:00 and 16:00, all outdoor heavy and moderate work, and the work of transporting products and / or delivering products using two-wheeled vehicles (eg motorcycle, moped, bicycle) or personal mobility devices (scooters, e-scooters), such as the transport and / or delivery of products / food / mail and / or other activities.
The directive concerns, on the basis of the orange warning applicable to the highest mountain areas, areas between 1 150 and 1 650 metres.
For the rest of the country, which is not covered by the orange warning, the provisions of the Safety and Health at Work Decrees of 2014, 2020 and 2023 are in force.
According to them, both employers and self-employed persons must measure, in the places where work is carried out, the parameters, temperature and relative humidity, which contribute to the heat load. According to the prevailing conditions of air temperature (under shade) and relative humidity, they must regulate their work accordingly and apply a change of each work or rest or interruption of work, depending on the type of work performed, as well as other appropriate and adequate measures (organizational and technical) to avoid or reduce heat stress.
For more information, interested parties can be informed from the website of the Department of Labour Inspection in the section heat stress and/or contact the inspectors at the local district offices at: 22879191 to Nicosia, 25827200 to Limassol, 24805327 to Larnaca, 26822715 to Paphos and 23819750 to Famagusta.
The measures to be taken
Measures proposed for workplaces are the organisation of frequent short breaks for rest in a shady, cool place or an appropriately air-conditioned area or in a fan-wearing area where possible, the configuration/selection of a shady place or the construction of appropriate shelters for carrying out work where possible, the rotation of workers at work according to the type of activity performed, avoidance, where possible, of strenuous work outdoors during the hottest hours of the day (12:00-16:00), the provision to workers of fresh drinking water (temperature 10-15 degrees), the provision and use by workers of appropriate head coverings, the use by employees of light, loose and breathable clothing such as cotton and the use of appropriate sunglasses, avoiding taking large meals or sugary foods or swallowing alcoholic or caffeinated beverages and training workers.
