B.C.’s new tower crane safety regulations in effect Tuesday

New regulations kick in Tuesday, aimed at increasing safety during crane activity across B.C.

In a release, WorkSafeBC says employers are now required to submit a ‘Notice of Project’ (NOP) two weeks before crane work begins.

That work includes any erection, climbing, repositioning, or dismantling of a tower crane.

WorkSafeBC says employers will also be required to make sure these activities are done “under the direction of a qualified supervisor.”

It says while NOPs are already required for many types of work activities, the new regulation is specifically for tower crane operation.

WorkSafeBC’s initial announcement was made last month, following a number of crane incidents, including a fatal failure in Vancouver’s Oakridge area in February.

The agency says it brought together 130 crane-sector stakeholders, including labour representatives, tower crane operators, employers, prime contractors, rental companies, and the BC Association for Crane Safety to identify and address gaps in crane safety.

“Following a comprehensive review of crane safety in early 2024 — and informed by stakeholder input and feedback — WorkSafeBC developed a new crane and rigging risk-reduction strategy with recommendations to improve crane safety in B.C.,” it said.

In their initial announcement, the agency said the NOPs will provide them with more precise information on tower crane activity in the province in order to guide its inspection approach, enhance safety, and facilitate engagement before any work begins.

“The new requirements will enable WorkSafeBC to identify the qualified supervisor responsible for the crane activity, as well as determine who will perform the work, and when, where, and how it will be carried out,” the agency said in its initial announcement.

The agency says the new NOPs must include the following information:

• Name and contact information for the parties responsible for the crane activity,
• Address or location of the workplace,
• Nature and scope of the crane activity and of the project that involves the crane activity,
• Start date and estimated duration of the crane activity,
• Identification information for the tower crane,
• Work procedures specific to the workplace that ensure the safety of a person during crane activity,
• Qualifications of the person who is the qualified supervisor,

According to WorkSafeBC, there are around 350 tower cranes operating in B.C. as of Sept. 18, and while cranes typically operate safely, they have the potential to create catastrophic risks to workers and the public.

“Ongoing discussions with the B.C. Ministry of Labour, SkilledTradesBC, and industry stakeholders — including labour groups, employers, and the BC Association for Crane Safety — will continue to inform WorkSafeBC’s strategy to enhance crane safety.”

-With files from Maria Vinca.