Two companies and two managers were charged by Limassol district court in 2021 for violating health and safety laws in the workplace, the labour inspection department said on Tuesday.

The Limassol district court issued fines amounting to €20,500 while one of the two managers was handed a five-month sentence with three years’ probation.

Marble trader Prastitis Marbles Ltd was fined €12,000 for failing to use the correct equipment for storing and transporting marble and ceramic slabs, which resulted in a fatal accident after a worker was crushed to death by a falling piece of ceramic.

The court also charged the company for failing to set health and safety measures deemed necessary after a risk assessment on the transportation of heavy loads.

In addition, a manager was fined €4,000 for violating health and safety laws, while a second was handed a five-month jail sentence with three years’ probation.

The court fined construction company Ah-Alka Business Trading Ltd €4,400 for failing to take the correct health and safety measures for working at height (such as using scaffolding, elevating work platforms, restraints or soft landing systems) which resulted in a worker falling from a 10 metre height and suffering serious injuries.

The same company was charged for failing to take the appropriate measures deemed necessary in a risk assessment for repair works to balconies, for not creating a comprehensive health and safety plan, not warning workers of the risks of the work and allowing them to work unsupervised.