New Construction Site Safety Regulations to Take Effect October 16

New safety regulations for construction sites in Israel, which will for the first time assign safety responsibility to a range of parties including the construction client, will come into effect on October 16. These regulations mandate the creation of a safety plan and risk management for every construction site. Additionally, new rules will require safety training for new foreign workers entering the construction sector and will tighten requirements for working at height training.

Previously, primary criminal responsibility for safety on construction sites largely fell on site managers. The new regulations expand this, defining additional roles with reporting obligations to the Ministry of Labor's Safety Administration. The construction client must approve the start of work only after a safety plan is prepared and resources for its implementation are agreed upon with the contractor. Clients will also need to appoint a safety supervisor, a registered engineer or practical engineer, or a safety officer with specific qualifications, who will conduct regular site visits and report risks. The client must address these risks within 48 hours of notification. Developers managing their own construction projects will also be required to appoint a safety supervisor.

For sites larger than 15,000 square meters, construction contractors must appoint a site manager, a registered engineer or practical engineer, to oversee safety risk responses, monitor safety training, and report risks. This is in addition to site managers who must be present throughout work stages to ensure compliance with safety and legal directives. The Ministry of Labor clarified that safety is integral to work execution, and while no explicit line separates work execution management from safety, all parties must ensure site managers' duties focus on worker safety.

Contractors must address identified risks and update safety plans accordingly. Site managers are also responsible for ensuring training on working at height and for halting work performed without required personal protective equipment. The new regulations significantly strengthen requirements for safety and risk management plans, even for smaller sites. These plans must detail site activities, safety policies, organizational structures, risk analysis, and procedures for training and emergency response.

Safety supervisors will be required to submit written reports on safety hazards to site and construction managers within 48 hours, noting previously reported but unaddressed issues. In life-threatening safety violations, safety supervisors must stop work and immediately report to the Ministry of Labor. The Safety Supervisors' Association petitioned the High Court of Justice, but judges indicated they would likely reject the petition.

Two additional regulations will also take effect, enhancing safety training. Foreign workers must undergo 8-hour in-person safety training in their language, covering risks like working at height, electricity, and scaffolding. Existing foreign workers have a grace period to complete this training. Furthermore, workers whose jobs involve a risk of falling two meters or more must receive training tailored to their specific tasks, not just general instruction. Requirements for working at height instructors have also been tightened, mandating training from recognized institutions and valid certifications. Experienced instructors trained before May 2026 must complete a 40-hour course within two years.