Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services |November 27, 2025
RICHMOND, B.C. – It’s been just over one year since new tower crane regulations came into effect, and WorkSafeBC is reporting good compliance overall across tower crane operations in B.C., but risks do remain.
Since Oct. 1, 2024, employers have been required to submit a Notice of Project (NOP) to WorkSafeBC at least two weeks before any tower crane work begins, including assembly, climbing, repositioning or dismantling. The NOP-Tower Crane requirements allow WorkSafeBC to understand who will perform the work, and when, where and how it will be carried out.
In its first year, WorkSafeBC received more than 900 NOP-Tower Crane submissions. Where employer NOP submissions are incomplete or revealed gaps in risk controls, WorkSafeBC officers followed up with inspections, as appropriate, a release reads.
Among the information that must be confirmed in the NOP-Tower Crane regulation are names of all employers responsible for the crane activity, the nature and scope of the crane activity, safe-work procedures specific to the workplace, the qualifications of the supervisor, and identification information for the tower crane.
The NOP gives the organization more precise information on tower crane activities in B.C. and is part of a safety strategy by that was developed following several crane-related incidents in early 2024, including a fatality at the Oakridge Park construction site in Vancouver.
In 2024, the crane inspection team conducted more than 1,500 inspections across B.C. and issued over 800 orders, including 75 stop-use orders and 36 stop-work orders.
WorkSafeBC also conducted a review and analysis of crane safety in the province and brought together approximately 150 stakeholders in the crane sector, including labour representatives, tower crane operators, employers, prime contractors, rental companies, and the BC Association for Crane Safety to identify and address gaps, the release continues.
As part of the strategy, risks are being addressed through a number of mechanisms, including reviewing and refining crane and rigging regulations; strengthening operator certification; enhancing inspection requirements; expanding inspection capacity and expertise; elevating workforce training and skills; and supporting the BC Association for Crane Safety in delivering certification and employer/worker support.