Construction Site Safety Reform: New Regulations, Costs, and Responsibilities
The number of workplace accidents at construction sites is on the rise, with 393 accidents and 29 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year. New regulations, taking effect in October, expand the scope of responsibility at construction sites and mandate new measures to prevent them. This will change contractual relations between developers and contractors and will also impact the insurance industry.
In about three months, in mid-October, new safety regulations for construction work are expected to take effect, which for the first time will require developers to bear direct responsibility for safety at construction sites.
The reform, approved after years of discussions in the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee, changes the distribution of responsibility that has been customary until now, and shifts the center of gravity from the site manager to the one who orders the work, finances it, and executes it.
Accident Statistics
Since the beginning of 2026, 393 workplace accidents have occurred at construction sites, in which 29 people were killed, according to the Group for the Fight Against Construction and Industry Accidents. For comparison, according to data from the Kav LaOved organization, 698 workplace accidents were documented in the industry in 2025, 589 were recorded in 2024, and in 2023 the number stood at 668.
New Requirements and Roles
To reduce the number of accidents, the new regulations significantly expand the circle of those responsible for safety, imposing direct responsibility on developers (the work orderers). Two new roles are created:
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A safety inspector on behalf of the developer, tasked with periodic site inspections.
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A site manager for large projects, responsible for implementing the safety plan and handling risks.
Construction work cannot begin without an organized safety plan, the allocation of necessary resources, and the appointment of relevant office holders. In the event of identifying an "unacceptable risk," clear timetables are set for handling it, including the obligation to stop work in certain cases.
Impact on Business and Insurance
The new regulations are expected to change contractual relations between developers and contractors. Agreements will be required to include detailed instructions regarding safety responsibility, including the formulation of a safety plan and the powers of the safety inspector. Contractors will seek to anchor the additional costs of meeting these requirements in their agreements.
Insurance companies may tighten coverage conditions, requiring proof of compliance, such as the appointment of a safety inspector and ongoing documentation of control activities. Projects with meticulous safety management may enjoy better conditions, while violating the new obligations could lead to a reduction in insurance coverage or the rejection of claims.
Expert Opinion
Advocate Shira Bas Rosen, director of the regulation department at the law firm Professor Bein & Co., explains: "It is not just about technical compliance with the law, but about building organizational readiness that permeates from management to the last worker on site." She emphasizes that developers must now show proficiency in safety laws and actively supervise processes.
Dr. Miki Winkler, former CEO of the Ministry of Labor's Safety and Hygiene Administration, adds: "The legislator expects the developer to be actively involved. The safety inspector is only the threshold requirement. Safety management requires control processes, procedures, and constant examination of what is happening at the site."
Annual costs following the new regulations are estimated to reach approximately 250,000 NIS for developers, depending on the project's characteristics.
