Workers at hundreds of construction sites around the country stopped work for a few hours to mark National Safety Day for the construction industry, last month. The workers received training to improve safety in the industry.
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This marks a revolutionary change among contractors who have begun to take responsibility for safety standards in the industry. The issue of fatal work accidents on construction sites was the main topic on the agenda during the event, which is now in its third year.
"Construction sites are very complex and therefore there is enormous potential for accidents," said Maj-Gen (Res) Eyal Ben Reuven, the chairman of the construction industry safety headquarters. "In 2019 we had 14 fatalities for every 100,000 employees. (this is the standard measurement in the construction industry in Israel and the rest of the world). In 2021, we were down to 10.6 fatalities per 100,000. The numbers are down but we still have a lot more work to do. We want to be the very best and there is no reason that we shouldn't be.
Recently, the government passed a decision that employees coming from Judea and Samaria and Gaza will have to undergo training as a condition for receiving a work permit in Israel. "We aim to have this apply to all workers in the industry and Israel," said Moshe Ben Zaken, CEO of the Fund for the Encouragement and Development of the Construction Industry in Israel.
Activities were held at the construction industry safety headquarters operating under the auspices of the Israel Builders Association and the Construction Workers Union, together with The Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene.
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"We stopped all work on construction sites throughout the country," said Israel Builders Association President Raul Sarugo. "We provide training for the workers and site managers about the dangers that exist. Safety is our main concern. And if a worker is required to ask to do a job that puts his life at risk,"
Itzhak Moyal, chairman of the Construction Workers Union added: We have managed to cut the number of fatalities in the past three years by 30%. That is not enough; we will continue to improve."
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