70 businesses in the Kiryat Etgarim Industrial Area have joined the national program that promotes safety in the workplace.  This program is designed to promote subjects related to health and safety for employees and the Raanana Municipality has been selected for the national pilot to promote this subject.  The program is being implemented as a cooperative effort between the municipality, the National Insurance Institute (the Manof Foundation) and the Israel Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene.

The program’s goal is to raise the awareness of employees and employees in the city with regard to their safety and health in the workplace, while reducing risks and accidents.  The program is part of the international project – “Safe Community” – which includes Raanana and many other cities around the world.

A survey prepared by the Israel Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene was conducted at the businesses that are participating in the program.  The survey identified existing deficiencies and offered recommendations as to how to remedy them.  Furthermore, employees will undergo professional instruction that will focus on the risk factors in the workplace and ways to cope with them.

The highlight of the program was the safety trustee training course, in which representatives of the businesses took part and included comprehensive information on various topics such as electrical safety, fire safety, safety while using machinery and protecting oneself while in the workplace.

In light of the success of the recent course and requests from additional business, an additional course for training safety trustees will open on July 21st and will include three weekly sessions.  For further information and registration:  Safe Community Department -Tel:  09-76101461/766.

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “I congratulate the many business owners who have joined this process, thanks to their sense of responsibility and concern for their employee’s health.  I invite many others to join.  Together we will build a professional partnership and a community infrastructure necessary to prevent accidents and injury to employees.”

In the photo:  Graduates of the safety trustees’ course at their workplace in Raanana.  Photo courtesy of the Raanana Municipality.