Reminder: New tower crane regulations coming Oct. 1 to B.C.

RICHMOND, B.C. — WorkSafeBC is reminding the industry new regulations regarding tower crane safety will come into effect in British Columbia on Oct. 1.

Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation in B.C. will require employers to submit a Notice of Project (NOP) for tower crane erection, climbing, repositioning and dismantling.

While NOPs are already required by WorkSafeBC for many types of work activities, this is a new requirement specifically for tower crane operations, the release added.

“The NOP will provide WorkSafeBC with more precise information on tower crane activities in B.C., helping to guide its inspection approach, enhance safety efforts, and facilitate engagement before the work begins,” the release said, adding it will enable the regulator 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.

Every employer responsible for a tower crane activity at a workplace in B.C. must now ensure WorkSafeBC receives a written notice of project at least two weeks before the crane activity starts.

The NOP must include:

• 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 ensures the safety of a person during crane activity. Qualifications of the person who is the qualified supervisor.

“There are approximately 350 tower cranes currently operating in B.C. While tower cranes typically operate safely and without incident, they have the potential to create catastrophic risk to workers and the public,” the release said.

“WorkSafeBC has determined that the risks associated with cranes in B.C. are increasing as more cranes are in operation than ever before, and work is taking place on increasingly complex, multi-employer worksites.”

WorkSafeBC brought crane safety stakeholders together in March and July following several worksite incidents involving cranes and developed a Crane and Rigging Risk-Reduction Strategy released in June.