Midday work stoppage ordered during Cyprus heatwave

Local heatwaveTop Newsworkers' rights Midday work stoppage ordered during Cyprus heatwave Kavsonas Relevant News Midday work stoppage ordered during Cyprus heatwave 23 July 2026 Paphos cable theft: two arrested, 150kg of EAC wire seized 23 July 2026 Sewage pollution claims prompt Limassol coastal water probe 23 July 2026 newsroom 23 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus’s Labour Inspection Department suspended all outdoor heavy and moderate work between 12pm and 4pm on Thursday. The order cites high temperatures and an orange-level extreme weather warning from the Department of Meteorology. The suspension also applies to delivery and transport work done using two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles, or personal mobility devices like scooters and e-scooters. The orange-level warning and work suspension apply to inland areas, defined as locations below 300 metres in altitude and more than 10 kilometres from the coastline. For all other cases For all other cases, including light work and areas not under the orange warning, employers and self-employed workers must comply with the 2014, 2020 and 2023 Safety and Health at Work Orders (Code of Practice for Thermal Strain on Workers). Under these orders, they must measure temperature and humidity at their work sites and adjust their operations accordingly. This includes rotating work, resting or stopping work depending on the type of task, along with other organisational and technical measures to prevent or reduce heat strain. Recommended measures Recommended measures include organising frequent short breaks in shaded, cool or air-conditioned areas, or spaces with fans where possible; creating or choosing shaded work areas or building shelters where feasible; rotating workers according to the type of activity; and avoiding strenuous outdoor work during the hottest hours, between 12pm and 4pm, where possible. Other recommended measures include providing workers with a constant supply of cool drinking water at 10-15°C, suitable head coverings, and light, loose, breathable clothing such as cotton, along with appropriate sunglasses. Separately, the department recommends avoiding large meals, sugary foods, alcohol and caffeinated drinks, and providing worker training. The department noted that under the Code of Practice, when temperatures range between 39°C and 46°C, work stoppage is also determined by relative humidity levels, depending on the severity of the work, whether light, moderate or heavy. Light work includes office work, supervision, workbench tasks with light tools and regular driving. Moderate work includes fencing installation, concreting, bricklaying, plastering, painting, flooring and tiling, digging, forging, carrying light objects, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, installing aluminium fittings or railings, and asphalt work carried out with mechanical equipment. Heavy work includes intense manual labour, processing and installing reinforcement bars, assembling or disassembling formwork, digging or breaking hard materials using mechanical tools, devices or machinery weighing over 15kg, and asphalt work carried out manually. The department called on employers and workers to strictly observe the prescribed measures to protect worker health and safety during the extreme weather conditions. (Information from Cyprus News Association) Read more: Cyprus issues yellow and orange heat warnings as temperatures set to hit 44 degrees Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Paphos cable theft: two arrested, 150kg of EAC wire seized Sewage pollution claims prompt Limassol coastal water probe Larnaca demolishes illegal shacks, finds asbestos on beach Cyprus imposes rolling power cuts amid heatwave demand shortfall Fire service responds to vehicle blaze in Alassa area Indonesia denies irregular deportation, seeks Cyprus assurance on Miqdad Police make 13 arrests, log 339 traffic offences overnight Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.