Filenews 26 January 2024
With harmonizing regulations that have been submitted before Parliament for approval, they tighten the collars for businesses operating in the Vasilikos area and using dangerous substances. One of the measures envisaged is to increase inspections to check that safety rules are being observed.
The purpose of the Regulations is to increase the obligations and consequently the security measures in the following cases:
(a) In workplaces where chemical substances are present in an amount equal to or greater than 75% of the limit quantities specified in the existing Regulations.
(b) In workplaces adjacent to SEVESO units.
(c) In workplaces located at Vasilikos Energy Center.
With the changes introduced in this Draft Regulations, employers of the above workplaces will be obliged, depending on each case, to submit to the Department of Labour Inspection (competent Authority) the necessary information specified in the Regulations (e.g. Notification, Document for the Implementation of a Safety Management System, worst-case scenario of a large-scale accident) and to obtain a Certificate from the Cyprus Fire Service Fire
The Regulations concern the harmonization of Cyprus legislation with the European Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances.
An accompanying text states that the proposed Regulations do not provide for any derogations. Also, with the proposed Regulations, inspections will be carried out with increased frequency in a larger number of premises.
18-month adaptation period
The Draft Regulations entitled "The Safety and Health at Work (Dealing with Risks of Large-Scale Accidents Related to Dangerous Substances (Amendment) Regulations of 2023", was approved by the Council of Ministers on 21.11.2023.
The decision provides, inter alia, that for facilities that were operating and had obtained a building permit in accordance with the Regulation of Roads and Buildings Law (Cap.96) or a planning permit in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Law before the date of publication of the Regulations, these Regulations, which place increased obligations on facilities, enter into force 18 months after their publication.
Employers who fall under the provisions of the relevant Regulations submit to the competent Authority every year, a Fire Protection Certificate from the Cyprus Fire Service.
The aim is to prevent major accidents
The accompanying text also states that Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances lays down rules for the prevention of major accidents likely to result from certain industrial activities and for the limitation of their consequences for human health and the environment.
It is suggested that major accidents often have serious consequences, as evidenced by the accidents in Seveso, Bhopal, Schweizerhalle, Enschede, Toulouse and Bunceficld. In addition, the effects may extend beyond national borders. It is therefore all the more urgent to ensure that appropriate preventive measures are taken to ensure a high level of protection of citizens, communities and the environment throughout the Union.
