WorkSafeBC is proposing a series of new recommendations aimed at enhancing crane safety in British Columbia, following an increase in crane-related incidents and a comprehensive review of current safety practices.
The call for improved safety measures comes in response to a growing number of cranes in operation, particularly on complex, multi-employer worksites.
Kelowna tower crane collapse
Notably, the 2021 tower crane collapse in Kelowna, which resulted in five fatalities, and several incidents earlier this year, including a fatal accident at the Oakridge Park worksite, have highlighted the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols.
In March, WorkSafeBC convened a meeting with 130 stakeholders from the crane sector, including labour representatives, crane operators, employers, prime contractors, rental companies, and the BC Association for Crane Safety. This gathering was part of an effort to identify and address safety gaps in the industry.
“Following a comprehensive review of crane safety, and informed by stakeholder input and feedback, we’ve developed a risk-reduction strategy with recommendations aimed at further improving tower crane safety in B.C.,” said Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services for WorkSafeBC.
Proposed recommendations
The proposed recommendations include a review of the existing crane operator certification program, enhanced training and skills development for supervisors, riggers, and workers involved in crane operations, and exploring registration and licensing options for employers responsible for crane activities.
Additionally, there are plans to increase the staffing and capacity of WorkSafeBC’s specialized crane inspection team, develop new regulations for the frequency of crane inspections, and update the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation related to cranes and rigging.
“Crane safety is a priority for WorkSafeBC,” McDonald said. “With a greater number of cranes operating in increasingly complex worksites, we need to ensure that employers provide the training, supervision and safe-work practices needed to keep workers safe in an evolving work environment.”
In the coming weeks, WorkSafeBC will discuss these recommendations with the B.C. Ministry of Labour, SkilledTradesBC, and other industry stakeholders, including the BC Association for Crane Safety.
“The BC Association for Crane Safety is actively partnered with WorkSafeBC and its prevention team in support of the enhanced crane strategy, ensuring safe and effective crane, hoisting, and rigging operations throughout the province,” said Clinton Connell, Executive Director of the BC Association for Crane Safety.
WorkSafeBC is also continuing to implement changes already underway as part of its crane safety initiative, which aims to eliminate unsafe work practices and equipment hazards that pose risks of serious injury or death.
There are currently about 400 tower cranes operating in British Columbia. In 2023 alone, WorkSafeBC’s Provincial Crane Inspection Team conducted 1,200 detailed inspections of these cranes. Following the 2019 crane collapse in Seattle, WorkSafeBC initiated a systematic review of crane incidents, leading to new regulations and shifts in inspection approaches. This review was revisited in 2021 after the Kelowna incident, resulting in new tools and resources for the industry.
Recent regulatory change
A recent regulatory change approved by WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors will come into effect in October. This new rule mandates that employers responsible for tower crane activities must submit a written notice of project at least two weeks before the crane activity starts.
This notice will help WorkSafeBC ensure that the work is being performed by qualified individuals and track the specifics of the crane operations.