News Summary

The construction crane industry in British Columbia is advocating for WorkSafeBC to establish a provincial standard for riggers, addressing a critical regulatory gap that currently allows individuals with minimal training to operate heavy machinery. This move follows a series of incidents, including a worker’s death and near-miss accidents, highlighting the industry’s safety challenges. The proposed standards aim to define the necessary skills and knowledge for riggers, moving beyond the subjective interpretation of qualifications. Industry leaders, like Josh Towsley of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 and Ralf Notheis from Bigfoot Crane Academy, emphasize the need for comprehensive training and certification. WorkSafeBC plans to host sessions with industry stakeholders to validate a competency framework, which will inform future regulatory amendments. There is also a call for a national standard, akin to the U.S. Red Seal, to harmonize safety measures and improve labor mobility across Canada. Alberta is independently working on similar standards, following its own rigging-related fatalities. The discussions in B.C. and Alberta are seen as initial steps toward national standardization.