Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Cyprus (Ratification: 2009)

Article 4(3)(d) of the Convention. Occupational health services. The Committee notes that, in its report, the Government indicates that, at present, occupational health services are only available in a small number of enterprises, mainly large companies, and that the Department of Labour Inspection (DLI) has developed an action plan to set up a national system for occupational health surveillance which aims at enabling enterprises, irrespective of their size, to avail themselves of occupational health services. The action plan includes the following measures: adoption of specific regulations to define the role and obligations of health professionals; training of health professionals; improvement of early detection and reporting of occupational diseases; development of a reliable statistical database on occupational diseases; and provision of first-aid training courses to workers. The Government adds that tripartite consultations on the content and implementation procedure of the action plan are ongoing. The Committee also takes note of the 2004 study on the establishment and operation of a health surveillance system of employed persons in Cyprus, annexed to the Government’s report. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on progress made in the adoption and implementation of the DLI’s action plan with a view to establishing a national system for occupational health surveillance that is open to all enterprises, irrespective of their size.

Article 4(3)(f) and (g). Collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases. Collaboration with relevant insurance and social security schemes. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes that the DLI is working in close collaboration with the Social Insurance Services (SIS) to share archives so as to establish better communication between the two departments concerning cases of diseases compensated as work-related diseases and other diseases. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that efforts are being made to create a system for the collection of data on occupational diseases from various sources, in accordance with national law and best practice. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to enhance collaboration between the DLI and the SIS and progress achieved towards the establishment of a system of data collection on occupational diseases.

Article 4(3)(h). Progressive improvement of occupational safety and health conditions in micro-enterprises and SMEs. The Committee notes that the National Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health for 2013–20 contains provisions aimed at supporting micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the introduction of simple and functional tools. It also notes that the DLI recently elaborated online tools on occupational risk assessment for five different economic sectors. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the various measures taken in the framework of the National Strategy to establish support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of occupational safety and health (OSH) in micro enterprises and SMEs and their impact thereon.

Article 5(1). National programmes. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding progress made in the implementation of the DLI’s annual and biannual inspection programmes in high-risk sectors, including the construction sector, the manufacturing and the metal processing industries, and the results obtained so far which show a decrease in the number of work-related accidents reported. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on inspection programmes carried out in high-risk sectors and to indicate any other measures taken or envisaged to develop and implement national programmes aimed at promoting the development of a national preventative safety and health culture and at contributing to the protection of workers.

Application in practice. With reference to its comment under the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Committee notes the significant decrease in the number of work-related accidents reported as a result of the regular inspection campaigns carried out by the DLI. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including labour inspection activities and, if possible, to forward extracts of reports, studies and inquiries carried out with respect to the National Strategy for OSH, national programmes or programmes relating to particular areas or branches of economic activity or to particular groups of the population.