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OrdinanceHealthLabor Law

Work Safety Ordinance [New Version], 5730-1970

פקודת הבטיחות בעבודה [נוסח חדש], תש"ל-1970

Published: 1970-08-30Consolidated Hebrew text as of 2025-10-09 · Last amended 2017-07-12✓ Amendment status checked against the Knesset legislation record on 2026-09-15
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Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More

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Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.

The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.

This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.

Section H: Dangerous Fumes

Definition§
88.

"confined space", for the purposes of this Section – a room, chamber, tank, pit, fume passage, pipe or similar enclosed space.

Application of the Section§
89.

The provisions of this Section shall apply where work has to be carried out inside a confined space in which dangerous fumes are liable to be present to such an extent that persons may not be able to withstand them.

Egress from a confined space§
90.

A manhole shall be provided for a confined space from which there is no other adequate means of egress; a rectangular or oval manhole shall not be less than forty-six centimetres in length and forty-one centimetres in width, and a circular manhole shall not be less than forty-six centimetres in diameter, and in a tank vehicle or other mobile equipment – not less than forty-one centimetres in length and thirty-six centimetres in width, and if the opening is circular – not less than forty-one centimetres in diameter.

Entry into a confined space§
91.

No person shall enter a confined space for any purpose whatsoever unless one of the following requirements has been fulfilled:

(1)the person entering is wearing suitable breathing apparatus;
(2)all practicable steps have been taken to remove fumes that may be present and to prevent the ingress of fumes, and until an adequate test has shown that the space is free from dangerous fumes, the person entering shall wear a belt to which is securely attached a rope the free end of which is held by a person outside.
Breathing and resuscitation equipment§
92.
(a)Suitable breathing apparatus, resuscitation apparatus, ropes and belts shall be provided and maintained so as to be readily accessible, and shall be inspected at frequent intervals.
(b)A sufficient number of workers shall be instructed and trained in the use of the said apparatus and in the method of resuscitation.
Exemption§
93.

The Chief Inspector may, by certificate, subject to conditions specified therein, exempt from the provisions of sections 90 to 92, in whole or in part, whenever he is satisfied that compliance therewith is unnecessary or impracticable.

Work in a Firebox§
94.

No work shall be permitted in a firebox, a combustion chamber or a steam passage of a boiler until it has been sufficiently cooled, by ventilation or otherwise, for the safety of the workers engaged in that work.

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Section I: Dust, Fumes and Explosive and Flammable Materials

Definition§
95.

In this Section –

"explosive dust" – dust which, by reason of its nature and quantity, is liable to explode if ignited;

"dust-raising process" – including grinding or sifting.

Prevention of Explosion§
96.

If, in connection with a dust-raising process, explosive dust may be emitted into a workroom, all practicable measures shall be taken to prevent an explosion of the dust by enclosing the plant used in the process, preventing or removing the accumulation of the dust, and removing or effectively enclosing possible sources of ignition.

Chokes and Other Devices§
97.

If explosive dust is present in plant used in a dust-raising process, all practicable measures shall be taken to restrict the extent and effects of an explosion of the dust by fitting chokes, baffles and vents or other devices equally effective in connection with that plant, unless the plant is of a construction capable of withstanding the pressure likely to be produced by such an explosion.

Explosive or Flammable Fumes§
98.

If part of a plant – other than plant installed in the open air – contains explosive or flammable fumes at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, that part shall not be opened except in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)before loosening the fastening of a connector between a pipe and that part, or of a cover of any opening into that part, all flow of fumes into the part or into the pipe shall be effectively stopped – by means of a stop valve or otherwise;
(2)before removing the fastening referred to above, all practicable measures shall be taken to reduce the pressure of the fumes in the pipe or in the part referred to above to atmospheric pressure;
(3)where the fastening referred to above has been loosened or removed, the entry of explosive or flammable fumes into the pipe or the part referred to above shall be prevented until the fastening has been securely tightened or replaced, as the case may be.
Explosive or Flammable Material§
99.
(a)In any plant or container that contains or has contained explosive or flammable material or acid, or in any object supported by or resting on such a container, no welding, soft or hard soldering or cutting using heat shall be carried out until all practicable measures have been taken to remove the material and all fumes arising from it, or to render them non-explosive or non-flammable.
(b)No explosive or flammable material shall be introduced into any plant or container in which an operation referred to above has been carried out until the metal has cooled sufficiently to prevent the danger of the material being ignited.
Exemption§
100.

The Chief Inspector may, by certificate, subject to conditions specified therein, exempt from the provisions of sections 98 and 99, in whole or in part, whenever he is satisfied that compliance therewith is unnecessary or impracticable.

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Section J: Steam Boilers

Approval for Installation§
100a.

A steam boiler shall not be installed except at a place in respect of which a permit has been granted by the regional inspector, and subject to the conditions of the permit.

Construction and Maintenance§
101.
(a)Every part of a steam boiler shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from apparent defect, all in accordance with accepted standards of the trade.
(b)A steam boiler with all its fittings shall be properly maintained.
Safety Devices§
102.
(a)A steam boiler, whether separate or forming part of a battery of boilers, shall have attached to it all of the following:
(1)a suitable safety valve, separate from a stop valve, which shall be adjusted so as to prevent the boiler from being worked at a pressure above the permissible working pressure, and which shall be fixed directly on or as close as practicable to the boiler; a lever safety valve shall not be regarded as a suitable safety valve unless the weight is secured to the lever in the correct position;
(2)a suitable stop valve between the boiler and the steam pipe;
(3)an accurate steam pressure gauge, indicating the pressure of steam in the boiler, connected to the steam space, readily visible to the stoker and marked in a conspicuous colour with the permissible working pressure;
(4)at least one water level gauge of transparent material or a water level gauge of another type approved by the Chief Inspector, and if it is fitted with a glass tube and the working pressure of the boiler ordinarily exceeds three kilograms per square centimetre, it shall be fitted with an effective guard which shall not obstruct its reading;
(5)if it is one of two or more boilers – a plate bearing a distinguishing number which is readily visible;
(6)a means enabling a test pressure gauge to be attached;
(7)if the boiler is not externally fired – a suitable fusible plug or an effective low-water alarm device.
(b)In subsection (a), paragraph (2) shall not apply to an economiser and paragraphs (3) to (7) shall not apply to an economiser or to a superheater.
Entry of a Person§
103.

No person shall enter or remain in a steam boiler that forms part of a battery of two or more boilers except in one of the following two circumstances:

(1)all inlets through which steam or hot water could enter the boiler from another part of the battery have been disconnected from that part;
(2)all valves and cocks controlling the entry of steam or hot water referred to in paragraph (1) are closed and securely locked, and if the boiler has a blowdown pipe in common with another boiler or a pipe leading into a common blowdown vessel, the blowdown valve or blowdown cock for each of those boilers shall be constructed so as to be openable only by a key that cannot be removed until the valve or cock is closed, and that key is the only one in use for that system of blowdown valves and blowdown cocks.
Examination§
104.
(a)A steam boiler with all its fittings shall be thoroughly examined by an authorised boiler inspector at least once in every fourteen months, and also after extensive repairs.
(b)The examination shall be carried out in two stages, namely:
(1)examination of the boiler when cold, with its internal and external parts prepared in the prescribed manner;
(2)examination of the boiler at normal steam pressure, which shall be carried out at the first opportunity of raising steam after the examination of the boiler when cold, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and the authorised boiler inspector carrying out the examination shall ensure that the safety valve is adjusted so as to prevent the boiler from being worked at a pressure above the permissible working pressure; this paragraph shall not apply to an economiser or to a superheater.
(c)The two stages of the examination may be carried out by different inspectors, and for the purposes of this section and the following sections of this Section relating to reports on examinations, the two stages shall be regarded as separate examinations.
(d)(Repealed)
(e)(Repealed)
Approval for Operation§
105.
(a)A new steam boiler shall not be taken into use unless all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(1)a report has been received from an authorised boiler inspector specifying the permissible working pressure of the boiler and indicating the nature of the tests carried out on the boiler and its fittings;
(2)the report is available for inspection;
(3)the boiler is marked in a manner that enables it to be identified as the boiler referred to in the report.
(b)A used steam boiler shall not be taken into use unless it has been examined in accordance with section 104 and reports on the results of the examinations have been drawn up in accordance with section 119a.
(c)A used steam boiler shall not be used in building or engineering construction to which this Ordinance applies unless it has been examined and reports have been drawn up as aforesaid within the fourteen months preceding that use.
Conditions of Operation§
106.

A steam boiler in respect of which conditions have been specified in a report on an examination under this Section for the purpose of ensuring its safe operation shall not be operated except in accordance with those conditions.

Regulations§
107.

The Minister may make Regulations – including by way of departure from the provisions of this Section – concerning the methods and times of examination of steam boilers, if safety requires or justifies this.

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Section K: Steam Receivers

Construction and Maintenance§
108.
(a)Every part of a steam receiver shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from apparent defect.
(b)A steam receiver with all its fittings shall be properly maintained.
Safety Devices§
109.
(a)A steam receiver that is not constructed and maintained so as to withstand with safety the permissible working pressure of the steam boiler, or the maximum pressure obtainable in the pipe between the receiver and any other source of supply, shall be fitted with all of the following:
(1)a suitable reducing valve or other suitable automatic device capable of preventing the pressure from exceeding the permissible working pressure (hereinafter in this section – reducing valve);
(2)a suitable safety valve adjusted so as to allow steam to escape immediately when the pressure exceeds the permissible working pressure, or a suitable device that will automatically cut off the supply of steam immediately when the pressure exceeds the permissible working pressure;
(3)an accurate steam pressure gauge indicating the pressure of steam in the receiver;
(4)a suitable stop valve;
(5)a plate bearing a distinguishing number readily visible, unless only one steam receiver is in use.
(b)The safety valve and the pressure gauge shall be fixed on the steam receiver or on the supply pipe between the receiver and the reducing valve.
(c)A system of steam receivers supplied with steam through a single pipe where the reducing valve is fixed in that single pipe may be treated as a single receiver –
(1)for the purposes of the provisions of paragraphs (1) to (4) of subsection (a), if it forms part of one machine only;
(2)for the purposes of the provisions of paragraphs (1) to (3) of subsection (a), if it is any other system.
Examination§
110.

A steam receiver with all its fittings shall be thoroughly examined by an authorised boiler inspector, to the extent that the construction of the receiver permits, at least once in every twenty-six months.

Approval for Operation§
111.
(a)A new steam receiver shall not be taken into use unless all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(1)a report has been received from an authorised boiler inspector specifying the permissible working pressure of the steam receiver and indicating the nature of the tests carried out on the steam receiver and its fittings;
(2)the report is available for inspection;
(3)the steam receiver is marked in a manner that enables it to be identified as the steam receiver referred to in the report.
(b)A used steam receiver shall not be taken into use unless it has been examined in accordance with section 110 and a report on the results of the examination has been drawn up in accordance with section 119a.
(c)A used steam receiver shall not be used in building or engineering construction to which this Ordinance applies unless it has been examined and a report has been drawn up as aforesaid within the twenty-six months preceding that use.

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Section L: Steam Containers

Ensuring an Outlet§
112.

A steam container shall be maintained in a manner that ensures that the steam outlet is open at all times without obstruction.

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Section M: Air Receivers

Construction and Maintenance§
113.

An air receiver with all its fittings shall be of good construction and properly maintained.

Safety Devices§
114.
(a)Every air receiver shall be fitted with all of the following:
(1)it shall be fitted with a suitable safety valve adjusted so as to allow the discharge of air immediately when the pressure exceeds the permissible working pressure;
(2)it shall be fitted with an accurate pressure gauge indicating the pressure of air in the receiver;
(3)it shall be fitted with a suitable device for draining liquids, unless it is an air receiver as defined in paragraphs (3) or (4) of the definition in section 1;
(4)it shall be fitted with suitable man-holes or hand-holes, or with another suitable means, enabling thorough cleaning of the interior of the receiver;
(5)the permissible working pressure shall be marked on it in a manner that is clearly visible;
(6)where the receiver is connected to a compressor, it shall be constructed in such a manner as to safely withstand the maximum pressure obtainable in the compressor, or a suitable reducing valve or other suitable device shall be fixed to it, capable of preventing the pressure from exceeding the permissible working pressure (hereinafter in this section – reducing valve);
(7)where more than one air receiver is in use in a factory, it shall bear a distinguishing mark that is readily visible.
(b)For the purposes of the provisions of subsection (a) in relation to a safety valve and pressure gauge, a system of air receivers to which air is supplied through a single pipe may be regarded as one air receiver; however, the provision of this subsection shall not apply if a reducing valve is required to be fixed, unless the valve is fixed in the said single pipe.
Examination§
115.
(a)Subject to the provisions of this section and section 116, every air receiver shall be thoroughly cleaned and examined at least once every twenty-six months.
(b)In an air receiver made by drawing –
(1)the authorised boiler inspector carrying out the examination shall be entitled to state in the report that the next examination shall be carried out within a period exceeding twenty-six months but not exceeding four years;
(2)where the receiver is so constructed that it is not possible to thoroughly examine its internal surface, a suitable hydraulic test shall be carried out on the receiver in place of the internal examination.
(c)An examination and test pursuant to this Section shall be carried out by an authorised boiler inspector.
Authorisation for Operation§
116.
(a)A new air receiver shall not be taken into use unless all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(1)a report has been received from an authorised boiler inspector specifying the permissible working pressure of the air receiver and indicating the nature of the tests carried out on the receiver and its fittings;
(2)the report is available for inspection;
(3)the air receiver has been marked in a manner enabling it to be identified as the air receiver referred to in the report.
(b)In building and engineering construction to which this Ordinance applies, an air receiver shall not be used unless it has been examined and a report has been drawn up in accordance with the provisions of this Section and section 119a within the twenty-six months preceding the use, or within a period not exceeding four years fixed pursuant to section 115(b)(1).

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