**Etek Calls for Urgent Safety Review Following Fatal Labour Accident in Peyia**
The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek) has expressed deep sorrow over a tragic labour accident that occurred in Peyia, resulting in the death of 52-year-old Konstantinos Posnagkof. In light of this incident, Etek is urging the construction sector to conduct an immediate review of safety procedures to prevent future accidents.
Posnagkof, a resident of Cyprus originally from Greece, was involved in a construction project when the accident took place. According to police reports, he was delivering concrete to a building site around 2:30 PM when the boom of a concrete pump truck severed two overhead power lines operated by a 53-year-old man. Posnagkof sustained severe injuries and was transported to Paphos General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In response to the accident, Etek emphasized the importance of prioritizing health and safety on construction sites. The chamber highlighted that under the Vision Zero strategy, no fatal workplace accidents should be deemed acceptable, advocating for a proactive approach to safety that begins at the planning and design stages of a project. "Prevention cannot be an after-the-event response," Etek stated, stressing that safety measures must be integrated from the outset of any construction project.
Etek's statement underscored that the responsibility for ensuring health and safety is a collective one, involving all parties engaged in construction work. This includes project owners, designers, supervising engineers, health and safety coordinators, contractors, subcontractors, and workers. The chamber called for effective coordination among these groups to ensure that no work proceeds without the necessary protective measures in place.
In light of the accident, Etek has called for an immediate reassessment of existing safety protocols within the construction industry. The organization is adamant that a Safety and Health Plan should not merely be a compliance document but should actively guide practices on-site to safeguard workers.
Following the incident, police have arrested two individuals connected to the case: the 53-year-old operator of the concrete pump and a 46-year-old contractor. Both are currently in custody as investigations continue. The Peyia police station is collaborating with the labour inspection department to further examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Etek's call to action comes as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in workplace safety, particularly in the construction sector, where risks can be significant. The chamber's plea for a comprehensive safety review aims to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future, reinforcing the notion that health and safety should always be a non-negotiable priority on construction sites.