SEK union urges employers to protect workers from heat stress

The Cyprus Workers’ Confederation (SEK) issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the risks posed by high summer temperatures in Cyprus. The union emphasized that intense heat is a significant occupational hazard, particularly for those working in construction, agriculture, ports, and industrial sectors. Factors such as high humidity, intense physical activity, and prolonged UV exposure were identified as contributors to heat stress. Possible medical consequences include exhaustion, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, and heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. SEK stated that employers bear primary responsibility for assessing risks and implementing preventive measures in advance. Recommended protections include adjusting working hours to cooler times of the day, providing shaded rest areas, and ensuring access to cool drinking water. The union explicitly urged companies to follow the Department of Labour Inspection guidelines and the Code of Practice on Heat Stress. They stressed that compliance should be viewed as a necessary safety measure rather than a formal administrative requirement.