The regulations for working at heights have changed: What should be checked in the employee's training and approval?
Oct 28, 2026
By: Itzick Simon
The amendment, which went into effect on October 16, 2026, changes the requirements for instructors for working at heights at certain construction sites, updates training approvals, and expands the role of training institutions. Along with the new requirements, a temporary order was set for veteran instructors, which is important to be aware of before approving or disapproving training.
On June 29, 2026, the Occupational Safety Regulations (Work at Heights) (Amendment), 5776-2026, were published in the Official Gazette. Their commencement was set for October 16, 2026.
The amendment focuses on the training system: who is allowed to train workers at construction sites for which a construction start notice has been received, according to what plan the training will be carried out, who will sign the approval, and what are the requirements from the training institutions.
From the contractor's perspective and the site management system, the practical significance is a deeper examination of the training provider and the approval given to the employee. Along with this, it is important to distinguish between a new requirement and an existing obligation, and between the permanent arrangement and the temporary provision.
The obligation to train and certify the employee already existed.
The obligation to instruct a worker at height and hold a valid permit is not a new addition to the 2026 amendment. Even before that, the instructor was required to instruct only in areas in which he was certified, and a permit was required that relates to the area in which the worker was instructed.
The maximum validity of the employee training permit — a period not to exceed two years — has also not changed in this amendment.
Likewise, the operator is required to hold a valid permit for each employee and attach it to the register. In construction work, a copy of the permit is also required for the work manager.
The main innovation is in the additional requirements for identifying the instructor at the construction sites to which the amendment refers, and in adapting the training and documentation system accordingly.
Who is allowed to provide guidance at a location for which a construction commencement notice has been received?
A special provision has been added to Regulation 5(2): Regarding an employee at a location for whom a notice of commencement of construction activity has been received under Section 192 of the Occupational Safety Ordinance, the training will be provided by an instructor who meets one of four requirements:
A work at height instructor from a training institution;
A work-at-height instructor who also holds a competency certificate as defined in the Safety Supervisors Regulations;
A work at height supervisor who is also registered in the register of work supervisors;
A veteran instructor who meets the conditions set forth in the fourth alternative, subject to the temporary order.
In each of the alternatives, it is a work at height instructor. Being a foreman or having a certificate of competency as a safety supervisor does not alone give him the authority to instruct workers at height. He is also required to be certified as an instructor in the appropriate field.
On the other hand, it should not be stated that every independent instructor is disqualified. The amendment leaves a path for veteran instructors who meet the established conditions.
The limits of application are also important: the special restriction was tied to the location for which a construction commencement notice was received. It should not be presented as an identical provision that automatically applies to all work at height training at any workplace.
Veteran instructors: What does the permanent arrangement stipulate?
The fourth alternative allows the activity of a guide who does not meet the other three alternatives, under the conditions set forth in the regulations.
According to the standard wording, it is required that the instructor was certified to instruct at altitude
The training covers eight topics:
Unique constructions for building.
Working at height on work surfaces and steep and fragile roofs.
Practice security systems.
Working in places surrounded by construction work.
Temporary anchorages, including lifelines and anchor points that are installed and dismantled on the same working day.
Use of two-branch systems.
Identifying failures and defects in fall protection equipment.
Rescue and emergency.
The 40-hour requirement refers to the instructor's training in this track. It does not state that every worker at height must undergo 40 hours of training.
Temporary provision: Training should not be required as if it were an immediate condition for every veteran instructor.
Alongside the permanent text, a temporary provision was established for a period of two years from the effective date.
During this period, the fourth alternative is replaced with a wording that requires that the instructor be certified to instruct at height on the same subject before May 19, 2026, without the condition of completing the 40-hour training. The remaining qualification requirements applicable to a work at height instructor continue to apply.
Therefore, during the temporary instruction period, an instructor who is a temporary substitute should not be disqualified simply because he has not yet completed the training.
However, a distinction must be made between two dates set out in the legislation: the window for completing the training in the regular version is calculated from May 19, 2026; the temporary provision period is calculated from the start date, October 16, 2026. The regulations do not state that the training window begins only at the end of the temporary provision.
It is therefore important for an instructor who wishes to continue to rely on the regular track to plan the training in accordance with the dates in the regulations. When ordering training, the track starting on the date of the training and the corresponding references must be examined.
A sub-regulation was added to Regulation 6, requiring that training be conducted according to a program appropriate to the field of work at height, in accordance with the topics in Regulation 47.
Even before the amendment, there was a reference to a program appropriate to the field of work. The amendment adds an explicit provision regarding the implementation of the training and links it to the issues of Regulation 47.
These include knowledge of equipment and security systems, identification and assessment of risks and their prevention, testing of personal protective equipment, selection of systems suitable for the job, principles of anchor points, the forces acting in a fall, and training specific to the type of work.
This provision was not limited in the formula to construction sites for which a notice of commencement had been received. This is a distinction between it and the special requirement for the identity of the guide.
From the perspective of the company ordering training, it is recommended that the provider define in advance the areas of work of the employees and ensure compatibility between these areas and the training and the approval given following it.
Training program: explicit connection to the topics in regulation 47
An additional requirement has been added to Regulation 6(b): if the training is provided by a Working at Height Instructor acting on behalf of a training institution, the head of the institution must also sign the certificate.
This is an additional signature requirement that applies to the instructor's signature in this specific case. It does not require the head of a training institution to sign certificates under every alternative training arrangement.
Accordingly, verification of the certificate must take into account the training pathway under which the training was provided. Where the instructor acted on behalf of a training institution, the head of that institution's signature must also be verified.
Signature of the director of the training institution on the employee's approval
In addition to the regulations, fields were added that allow identification of the instructor's additional certification, training from a training institution, or the track of a veteran instructor, as applicable.
A note has also been added regarding the implementation of training according to the program appropriate to the field of work at height and the topics in Regulation 47.
The temporary provision also adjusts the wording of the form: during its term, the field relating to the veteran instructor refers to his certification before May 19, 2026, without the declaration of completion of the 40-hour training.
The amendment does not include an explicit provision that cancels all previously issued training permits on the effective date. Therefore, a blanket demand to replace all old permits should not be based on it, without examining the circumstances of the permit and the applicable provisions.
The confirmation form has been updated.
The retention of permits and supervised training have also been adjusted to the new arrangement.
In Regulation 6(d), which deals with the holding of the certificate by the operator, the reference to a qualified instructor was replaced with a reference to a work-at-height instructor as stated in Regulation 5(2).
A similar adjustment was made in Regulation 6(e), which deals with the possibility of working at height for the purposes of instruction, training or examination, without a certificate of participation in the training, under the direct and constant supervision of an instructor.
The adjustments mean that these instructions must also be read in conjunction with the requirements of Regulation 5(2), as applicable. The route of instruction or supervised training does not permit the instructor's competency requirements to be disregarded.
Regulation 45 explicitly states that a training institution may also conduct height training for an employee through a work at height instructor, in accordance with the regulations and the subjects of Regulation 47.
In Regulation 46, the conditions for the institution's approval were updated: reference was added to its ability to carry out the employee training program, and the provisions regarding conflict of interest and publication of payment were expanded so that they also refer to training, as applicable.
Regulation 55 clarifies the authority of the Chief Labor Inspector to revoke the institution's approval for all or some matters.
From a practical perspective, when contracting with a training institution, it is recommended to check the validity of its approval and the scope of the approved activity, and not be satisfied with the mere presence of the institution's name on the approval.
Training institutions: expanding the role and supervision
Foremen who wish to undergo instructor training
In Regulation 48, one of the admission requirements for training as a work-at-height supervisor was updated: in the alternative concerning a foreman, the requirement for approval of his appointment was replaced with a requirement for registration in the foreman registry.
This is a provision regarding admission to instructor training. It does not make a registered foreman a work at height instructor without the required training and certification.
What does the amendment not change?
Amendment 2026 does not change the definition of work at height or replace the physical requirements for fall protection. It also does not extend or shorten the maximum validity of the worker's training certificate.
It does not stipulate that every instructor must become a foreman or safety supervisor, as additional alternatives have been established. It also does not stipulate that every employee must undergo 40 hours of advanced training.
It is important to maintain these distinctions so as not to create unnecessary requirements, disqualify training providers who comply with the law, or, on the other hand, receive a certificate that is not appropriate for the relevant training track.
What is recommended for the company to do now?
Our recommendation is to update the company's training and certification review mechanism:
Identify the areas of work at height performed by employees.
Check the instructor's certification and areas of authorization.
At the location for which a construction commencement notice has been received, identify the appropriate alternative according to Regulation 5(2).
In the veteran instructor track, check the certification date in the same subject and take into account the time requirement.
In training provided by a training institution, also check the institution's director's signature on the employee's approval.
Maintain the certificates and ensure their availability in accordance with regulations.
These are recommendations for implementation and control, and not a new list of obligations added to the regulations as such.
The amendment requires attention to the identity of the instructor, the content of the training, and the manner in which it is approved. A systematic examination of these three components will help the company establish its training system and identify gaps before the employee ascends to the top.
The article deals with the legislative changes stipulated in Amendment 2026. Procedures and training programs published by the Safety Administration require
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