14/10/2026
RFQ # USM-P.16 -2026 ENHANCING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) PRACTICES IN THE STONE INDUSTRY SECTOR – FIVE LOTS
Union of Stone and Marble (USM)
Established in 1996, as an independent nongovernmental and nonprofit organization based on membership, the Union of Stone and Marble (USM) is a key advocate for Palestine’s stone and marble sector, focusing on industry expansion, sustainability, and global competitiveness. With headquarters in Bethlehem and branches across Palestine, USM’s core activities focus on organizing exports, facilitating market access, defending the interests of the stone industry, fostering partnerships and networking, promoting occupational health and safety, promoting green practices and strengthening the Union’s internal structure.
The Green West Bank intervention is implemented by the Union of Stone and Marble Industries in Palestine (USM) in cooperation with the Belgian agency for international cooperation (Enabel) and is funded by the government of Belgium.
Result 5 – Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety Practices in the Stone Industry Sector – addresses a critical risk area: stone-cutting, polishing and quarrying operations expose workers to dust (including fine silica), noise, heavy machinery and electrical and manual-handling hazards, and the sector is classified as high-risk (see Section 1). Result 5 aims to improve compliance with OHS standards in USM member factories, build the technical and safety capacity of the workforce, and contribute to the gradual reduction of insurance costs, supporting USM’s wider effort to have the high-risk classification revoked for compliant enterprises. It is implemented over five months (planned October 2026 to February 2027) under the Green West Bank top-up and is delivered through the five lots of this RFQ: (1) comprehensive OHS assessments in 15 member factories; (2) vocational training in CNC operations for 15 workers; (3) qualification of 15 OHS supervisors; (4) provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for 200 workers; and (5) provision and installation of safety signage. The qualification of USM staff as OHS specialists, trainers and ISO 45001 lead auditors is procured separately under RFQ # USM-P.15-2026.
Through this RFQ, USM invites qualified companies to apply for one, several, or all of the five lots that make up Result 5.
1. Background
The stone and marble industry is classified as a hazardous and high-risk sector under Council of Ministers Decision No. (9) of 2020. This classification has substantially increased production costs and discouraged enterprises from obtaining workers' compensation insurance: the sector is subject to the highest insurance premium rate, reaching 5.5% of total annual payroll, and insurers are often reluctant to cover enterprises in the sector. USM is working with public and private partners to have the high-risk classification revoked for enterprises that comply with a set of jointly developed criteria and standards, with occupational health and safety (OHS) as the cornerstone of this transition. To strengthen safety capacity across the sector, USM is implementing four complementary activities in parallel (procured through five lots): comprehensive OHS assessments, vocational training in CNC operations, qualification of OHS supervisors, and the provision of OHS equipment and safety signage. Together they aim to improve compliance with OHS standards, build technical workforce capacity, and contribute to the gradual reduction of insurance costs.
2. Objectives
USM hereby invites qualified companies and training providers to submit proposals for one or more of the lots below. The specific objectives are:
- Identify hazards, risks and compliance gaps in 15 stone factories through comprehensive OHS assessments, and provide practical recommendations for improvement.
- Create a cadre of 15 qualified and certified OHS supervisors able to manage and monitor workplace safety inside enterprises.
- Build technical and safety skills in CNC stone operations for 15 workers, with at least 30% female participation, through recognised vocational training.
- Equip 200 workers in the 15 assessed factories with essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and install standardised safety signage, based on the assessment findings.
Tender Document (PDF)
To access the complete tender document in PDF format, including technical specifications, terms and conditions, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines, please visit the following link:
https://www.jobs.ps/tenders/rfq-usm-p-16-2026-16478.html
