Perceptions of employees of the importance of safety in the energy industry in Cyprus

The recent discovery of hydrocarbons, in large quantities, in Cyprus has brought to the surface, fundamental issues dealing with previously unknown and unchartered, locally, territories. In a sort time, Cyprus will have to transform itself, from a services oriented economy to a hydrocarbon producing and trading economy. The local energy storage industry comprises of small energy storage facilities (7 companies) in a congested area. The plan for the next five years, includes the construction (some of it has already been done) of big energy producing and storage facilities. By default some—if not all—of the existing safety officers and workers, will be part of the new era. The aim of the study was to measure a number of parameters that make up safety culture. In particular—based on previous literature—parameters such as the existence of safety policies, safety performance, safety climate and other were measured with the use of a survey tool in the form of a questionnaire.