WorkSafeBC Launches Third Investigation into Oakridge Site After Crane Incident

WorkSafeBC has launched a third safety investigation into Vancouver’s $6.5-billion Oakridge redevelopment project, following an incident in October 2024 when metal pipes slipped from a crane and fell 50 metres to the ground.

The prime contractor, EllisDon, is already under scrutiny for two earlier workplace accidents, including one that resulted in the death of a worker last February. Search warrants obtained by CBC reveal ongoing concerns about site safety protocols, as well as EllisDon’s efforts to demonstrate its cooperation with investigators.

Crane Incident Adds to Safety Concerns

The latest accident occurred on Oct. 2, 2024, when a tower crane was transporting metal pipes from the ground to an elevated work area. According to a WorkSafeBC search warrant, the pipes slipped from their rigging, falling outside a controlled zone and damaging a perimeter fence near traffic on West 41st Avenue.

No injuries were reported, but a rigger working on-site told investigators he was nearly struck by the falling pipes—missing him by just 10 feet.

The investigation revealed that chains were used instead of nylon straps to secure the pipes, which may have contributed to the accident. The crane operator later expressed concerns about the choice of rigging materials and the safety conditions below the lift.

WorkSafeBC investigators are also looking into the subcontractors involved in the incident. Court documents state that one subcontractor’s lawyer advised employees not to provide voluntary statements to WorkSafeBC, further complicating the probe.

Previous Incidents at Oakridge Site

This latest investigation adds to concerns about safety at the massive Oakridge development, one of North America’s largest redevelopment projects.

• February 2024: A tower crane load fell, killing 28-year-old worker Yuridia Flores, a mother of two from Mexico.

• July 30, 2024: A piece of scaffolding fell 41 storeys, landing near a busy public roadway. No one was injured, but WorkSafeBC called the risk of serious injury or death "significant."

A previous search warrant from October 2024 referenced a “systemic failure to manage workplace health and safety” at Oakridge, citing 32 recorded safety violations.

EllisDon’s Response and Cooperation

EllisDon, the Ontario-based contractor managing the project, insists it is fully cooperating with WorkSafeBC.

"For this project specifically, we have added additional safety personnel, enhanced assessment and training of crane operators, and increased monitoring of exclusion zones," the company said in a statement.

It also stated that workers who fail to follow site safety rules will be removed.

WorkSafeBC acknowledged EllisDon’s willingness to cooperate, with an investigator writing in a search warrant that the company had repeatedly offered information voluntarily and requested that their cooperation be “formally documented.”

Investigations Ongoing

All three WorkSafeBC investigations into the Oakridge site remain active, and officials have not ruled out potential legal action under the Workers Compensation Act or Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

Meanwhile, safety advocates and construction workers continue to raise concerns about the risks associated with one of Vancouver’s largest-ever developments.