Crane operators gain the right to shelter—a basic protection, at last

Amid an ongoing security crisis in which thousands of missiles have been launched at Israeli civilians by Iranian forces and their proxies, the Histadrut’s Building and Wood Workers’ Union had secured a significant safety victory for construction workers – crane operators’ right to shelter.

In response to the Histadrut’s Building and Wood Workers’ Union request, the Home Front Command updated its work guidelines on Friday, clarifying that crane operators should not be required to work on tower cranes unless there is access to a standard protected shelter. “We returned the right to shelter for crane operators—and this is a historic moment,” said Mazal Golan, Chairwoman of the Histadrut’s Building and Wood Workers’ Union. “After persistent and consistent struggle, logic, safety, and human dignity have prevailed.”

Earlier instructions issued by the Home Front Command on Wednesday evening had suggested that work on tower cranes could proceed with personal protective equipment (a helmet and protective vest). However, Golan wrote to the Home Front Command, demanding that the guidelines be revised to specify that crane operators cannot be required to climb tens of meters high without access to a bomb shelter.

In her letter, Golan emphasized that cranes are vulnerable to shockwaves and collapse. No piece of personal gear would be an adequate replacement for a shelter.

The advocacy efforts of the by the Histadrut’s Building and Wood Workers’ Union, also included extensive testimony from crane operators across the country who presented decision‑makers with hundreds of testimonies from the field, “showing the shameful conditions we found ourselves in” said Roy Weinstein, Chair of the National Crane Operators’ Committee. “Once again, the unionization of crane operators within the newly reformed Histadrut brings a transformative breakthrough to the crane operator industry. We reinstated the basic condition of having access to a protected shelter during the workday for tower crane operators.”

On the possibility of remote-controlled crane operation

Against the backdrop of contractor requests, the Ministry of Labor has asked the public to prepare for a temporary allowance for remote-controlled operation of tower cranes until the end of June due to the ongoing war situation. A mechanism that the Safety Administration had previously rejected for safety reasons.

This change has far-reaching safety implications that must be carefully reviewed before implementation. The Histadrut is calling for a mandatory specialized training that must be provided to every remote crane operator, including adapting to the types of cranes in Israel; a proficiency evaluation using a simulator; precise regulation of legal and operational responsibility; thorough testing of remote-control reliability and responsiveness to malfunctions in real time—and safeguarding crane operators’ rights by setting proper employment conditions given the shift to remote operation. Golan also demanded that a dedicated safety committee be convened through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to examine the safety ramifications of remote-controlled tower crane operation in depth.

As Israel continues to face grave security threats, the Histadrut remains a powerful advocate for workers’ safety and dignity, on the ground, in the air, and at every height in between. While recognizing crane operators’ right to shelter marks a significant achievement, critical work lies ahead to ensure that any shift toward remote-controlled crane operation upholds the highest safety standards and protects workers’ rights in this evolving landscape.

This article is based on information taken from Davar. Click here to read the full article in Hebrew