Beginning Oct. 1, 2024, British Columbia will implement new regulations requiring employers to submit a Notice of Project (NOP) before any tower crane activity can take place. This move, introduced as part of amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, is designed to enhance the safety of workers and the public in the province.
The updated rules specifically target tower crane operations, including erection, climbing, repositioning, and dismantling. While WorkSafeBC already mandates NOPs for various types of work, this is the first time a submission will be required for all tower crane activities.
According to WorkSafeBC, the new measure is intended to provide inspectors with more detailed information, allowing for better oversight of crane operations across British Columbia. By submitting a NOP, employers will have to specify key details, including the identity of the qualified supervisor, the scope of the crane work, and the safety protocols in place. The goal is to allow WorkSafeBC to engage with employers before the work begins, ultimately improving safety measures.
“WorkSafeBC aims to reduce risks associated with tower cranes, particularly as their use has increased across the province on more complex, multi-employer sites,” the organization stated in a release.
Under the updated regulation, employers must submit the NOP at least two weeks before beginning any crane-related activity. The notice must include information such as the location of the workplace, the crane’s identification, the project timeline, and the qualifications of the person overseeing the activity.
There are currently about 350 tower cranes operating in B.C. While most of these cranes run without incident, their presence in urban and densely populated areas has highlighted the need for stricter safety measures. The growing complexity of worksites and the rising number of cranes in use have contributed to increased risks.
Earlier this year, WorkSafeBC initiated consultations with 130 crane-sector stakeholders, including labour groups, employers, operators, and safety representatives, in response to several crane-related incidents in the Lower Mainland. These discussions helped shape a new risk-reduction strategy focused on improving crane and rigging safety.
This strategy builds on previous efforts under WorkSafeBC’s crane and mobile equipment safety initiative, which aims to eliminate unsafe practices and equipment hazards. The initiative continues to receive input from the B.C. Ministry of Labour, SkilledTradesBC, and other industry stakeholders.
WorkSafeBC said it will continue to work with these groups to refine its crane safety strategy, with a focus on reducing the potential for catastrophic incidents that could result in serious injury or death.
