Cyprus: Labour Ministry urges caution in using swimming pool products

In Cyprus, the Labour Ministry’s inspection department has urged a cautious use of products for cleaning and disinfecting swimming pools before the start of the summer season. These products may release hazardous chemicals into the water and cause health problems. The department particularly warned about the use of chlorine, the most common swimming pool disinfectant, which could become highly toxic and potentially fatal if mixed with other substances like acids, metals, or ammonia.
The department also advised hotel and restaurant owners to carry out risk assessments to ensure the safety of their employees during cleaning operations. All products used should be clearly labelled and stored in appropriate places. All facilities should have proper emergency plans and working smoke and chemical release detection systems, as well as personnel trained in first aid for incidents. Hotel owners can use the free interactive tool OiRA (Online interactive Risk Assessment) to prepare the necessary risk assessments and identify potential hazards.
Incidents caused by the misuse of swimming pool products are common in Cyprus, with twenty-six hotel guests in Yeroskipou hospitalised last year after a worker mistakenly poured 10 litres of calcium hypochlorite and chlorine into the pool’s overflow channel.