Legislation10/16/2026

New Safety Rules in the Construction Sector Entered Into Force

New rules expanding the obligations of developers and contractors to ensure safety at construction sites have begun to be implemented in Israel. A requirement to train certain foreign workers also entered into force, but its actual enforcement was postponed for three months.

Key facts

•Date the rules entered into force: October 16, 2026
•Minimum project area threshold: more than 15,000 square meters
•Deadline for training a foreign worker: one month
•Covered arrival period: the past 18 months
•Postponement of enforcement measures: three months

New Obligations for Entities Operating in the Construction Sector

Developers are now required to verify that a safety plan is in place, appoint inspectors on their behalf, and monitor the correction of deficiencies at the construction site. Contractors must appoint site managers for projects covering more than 15,000 square meters. Safety officers must also notify the Ministry of Labor when work is halted due to deficiencies that pose a risk to life.

A Safety Plan Will Also Be Required at Small Sites

The new rules impose an obligation to prepare an organizational safety plan for small construction sites as well. The plan must include a description of the project, the work being performed, the number of workers and their roles, the location of equipment, the safety policy, and the permitted level of risk. In addition, the document must identify the responsible parties and the procedures to follow in the event of accidents and other incidents.

Risk Assessment and Worker Training

The plan must include a professional risk analysis, control measures, internal inspections, as well as corrective and preventive procedures. A list of equipment subject to periodic inspections and an annual schedule for inspecting safety measures and emergency response must also be prepared. The rules also regulate the training of new and existing workers, emergency drills, and the maintenance of the validity of required permits, licenses, and appointments.

Training Foreign Workers

Foreign workers in the construction sector who arrived in Israel for the first time during the past 18 months must undergo safety training within one month. However, the Ministry of Labor informed contractors that it would not take enforcement measures for three months, due to a shortage of available training institutions and the large number of workers. If an inspector finds a worker who has not yet undergone the mandatory training, this will be documented in a report for a later decision on applying the requirements.

What this means for you

For workers, the new requirements mean greater formal oversight of risks, training, and construction-site emergency preparedness. Developers and contractors will be required to document safety measures and the allocation of responsibilities even at small sites. The postponement concerns enforcement measures for the training of foreign workers and does not eliminate the obligation to undergo the training itself.

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