Occupational Safety and Health / Επαγγελματική Ασφάλεια και Υγεία

The research methodology employed in this study consisted of an online questionnaire, with some visits, distributed to various micro-firms, around the mediterranean island of Cyprus. The survey was designed to assess Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) awareness among employees, understand the actions taken by enterprises and evaluate the precision of instructions provided to employees and managers. The research aimed to determine whether employees could effectively identify potential hazards in their work environment and observe the problems a micro-firm could phase about the care of any OSH issues. The study revealed a significant portion of the surveyed micro-firms, meaning that there are companies with up to 9 employees. The gender distribution among participants was nearly equal, with 48% being female and 52% male. The majority of participants fell within the age groups of 18-25 and 26-34. The elephant in the room was about the finding of the decreasing number in work-related accidents in 2023, which was attributed to a successful implementation of new policies and strategies in Cyprus. The minister of Labour emphasized the collaborative efforts between the labour ministry and a famous research center in Cyprus, highlighting their role in achieving this positive trend. However, a concerning revelation was the lack of awareness among workers regarding potential hazards in their workplaces. Despite legal requirements for companies in Cyprus to conduct written risk assessments, many employees remained unaware of these hazards until experiencing accidents or incidents firsthand. This emphasizes the urgent need for more comprehensive training and awareness programs tailored to micro-firms. In summary, while significant progress has been made in OSH, particularly within micro-firms in Cyprus, there are still challenges to address. Continued collaboration, improved training and increased awareness efforts are essential to ensure a safe and secure working environment for all employees. The future of OSH in Cypriot micro-firms holds promise, but it demands ongoing commitment, care, and adaptability to evolving workplace challenges.