New Tower Crane Safety Regulations Take Effect in B.C. on Oct. 1

Starting Oct. 1, B.C. employers will need to adhere to new safety regulations for tower crane operations, including submitting a Notice of Project to WorkSafeBC at least two weeks before any crane work begins. This advance notice, which must identify the responsible supervisor, is intended to improve oversight and prevent incidents.

The new rules come after a series of crane-related accidents in B.C., most notably a fatal incident in Oakridge in February, where a young mother, Yuridia Flores, tragically lost her life while working at a construction site. Her partner, Daniel Hernandez, also worked at the site and was devastated by the news.

Crane incidents in Vancouver and Kelowna have also raised concerns. A 2021 collapse in Kelowna killed five people, leading to lawsuits and calls for stricter safety measures. Chris Vilness, who lost his son Cailen in the incident, welcomed the new regulations but stressed the need for strict enforcement to ensure compliance. WorkSafeBC reports approximately 350 cranes currently operate in B.C., and with rising numbers, the need for enhanced safety has become more urgent.