It’s been over two years since two crane collapses took place in Toronto and although the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) investigations have concluded, there is still a focus on enhancing the safety of crane operations across the province.
On July 16, 2020 a crane at a PCL Constructors Canada construction site at 160 Front St. near Simcoe and Wellington Streets struck a building.
According to reports, the boom of a tower crane made contact with the roof of a building near the site and two buildings adjacent to the site, located at 145 Wellington St. and 40 University Ave., were evacuated as a precaution.
Reports indicated the crane operator had suffered minor injuries but was able to climb down from the crane on his own. Toronto Fire helped secure the structure until engineers arrived on scene to determine how to dismantle it.
The ministry was notified of the incident and two ministry inspectors and one ministry engineer attended the worksite. One requirement was issued to PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
The team consulted with an independent engineer and finalized a plan to dismantle the crane. Due to inclement weather, the dismantling operation was postponed to the following day (July 17). A large crew and three other cranes were used to dismantle the damaged crane.
“In regard to the 2020 crane collapse, between July 16, 2020 and October 6, 2020, MLITSD conducted nine field visits and issued seven requirements all of which have been complied with,” the spokesperson said. “MLITSD’s investigation is complete.”
The ministry did not reveal the cause of the collapse.
On Aug. 6, 2020, there was an incident involving a stationary crane falling into the intersection of River Street and Dundas Street East in Toronto at a Daniels Corporation site. Two people were treated for minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.
A mechanical failure led to a partial collapse of the crane which was not in operation at the time.
Construction at the site was temporarily suspended.
“Between August 6, 2020 and September 16, 2020, MLITSD conducted 10 field visits and issued 10 orders and seven requirements, all of which have been complied with,” stated the ministry spokesperson, adding this investigation was also complete.
Following the incidents, in the fall of 2020, the ministry conducted a special safety inspection blitz that occurred over four months and included visits to over 200 tower crane sites across the province.
In 2021, the ministry released a consultation paper on tower crane safety regulations and asked industry and labour groups to provide feedback.
More recently, between April 1 and June 30 of this year, the ministry conducted an enforcement initiative focused on workers who operate vehicles and equipment such as cranes, telehandlers, forklifts and other heavy equipment at workplaces, a spokesperson for the ministry said in an email to the Daily Commercial News.
“During the initiative, the ministry completed over 1,700 field visits at 1,513 separate workplaces to increase compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” the email stated.
“The ministry is currently reviewing findings from the consultations and considering both regulatory and legislative amendments to enhance the safety of crane operations.”
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