BC CRANE SAFETY MARCH 2023
Regulation Changes for Tower Crane Zoning and Anti-Collision Devices
Tower cranes erected in BC that overlap a powerline, another crane, or a piece of equipment will be required to have a zoning system or anti-collision system installed. The changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) are expected to go into effect in March 2023.
Crane Rental Association of Canada (CRAC) Conference 2023 in Vancouver, BC
Join CRAC and BC Crane Safety at the 2023 conference and AGM in Vancouver from May 16 – 18. Featuring activities that can only be experienced in beautiful British Columbia as well as networking opportunities and informative speakers, this is an event not to be missed!
For more information about the conference and becoming a CRAC member, please visit the CRAC website.
New BC Crane Safety Resources
BC Crane Safety publishes new health and safety resources regularly. In cooperation with WorkSafeBC, we released information on top climbing tower cranes and ensuring safe assembly and dismantling. This followed the tragic incident in Kelowna, BC in July 2021 which resulted in five fatalities. Since then, we’ve assembled a working group of experts to address matters related to safely assembling and dismantling tower cranes. Please contact us if you would like to be involved.
Stay tuned for more health and safety resources coming soon, including toolbox talks, hazards associated with holiday light displays on cranes, and regular inspection requirements for cranes.
Check out our Resources page for the latest information, including new guidance for assembling tower cranes near airports.
Q & A
Q: If I purchase a crane from a manufacturer in Ontario, what steps and certifications are required to bring it to BC and operate it in a BC facility? Can you point out the specific requirements in BC Regulations so I can forward them to the manufacturer?
A: Cranes brought to BC must comply with the following provisions of the OHSR: 14.2 (2-15): Standards, 14.12: Manual and instructions, and 14.16: Certification required: Certification required. Electrical panels must be CSA approved. When installing and operating a crane in BC, you must follow all clauses of Part 14: Cranes and hoists and comply with all requirements of the Regulations related to your activities.
If you have any questions about getting credentials or about whether your operator’s certificate is recognized in BC, please contact us.
Q: What are specific requirements for personnel baskets on articulated cranes in BC? Does there need an audible alarm on the crane?
A: Hoisting personnel in baskets with articulating cranes is typically prohibited in BC, with few exceptions. The crane must be accompanied by a letter from the original manufacturer specifically stating that the practice is allowed (OHSR Part 13.27 ), along with the relevant compliance regarding the securement of the basket (rigging), reduced capacities, etc. You may also require a variance from WorkSafeBC, depending on the nature of the work.
Audible alarms are not required if there is a visual mechanism to alert the operator of overload (typically lights on a pogo stick on the crane, or on the remote control) and the overload protection switches are functioning and have been tested as per the OHSR. Part 13.2 of the OHSR stipulates that appropriate safety factors and minimum rated load must be used in designing and installing a work platform, in accordance with WCB Standard WPL 2, Design, Construction and Use of Crane Supported Work Platforms, 2004.
In addition, installation and operation of work platform must comply with the following OHSR provisions: 13.28: Two-blocking, 13.29: Hoisting and lowering work platforms, 13.33: Fall protection, 14.1: Definitions, 14.34: Operator qualifications, 14.34.1: Operator certification, and 14.42.1: Critical lift.
