BC Crane Safety Changes Follow Advocacy by IUOE Local 115|Tyee
At the BC Building Trades Annual General Meeting in early March, Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside announced mandatory licensing and permitting (BC Government announcement March 3, 2026) for tower crane operators, mobile crane operators, and heavy-duty mechanics. Oversight will be managed by WorkSafeBC to ensure stronger safety standards across the industry and to help ensure every worker makes it home safely at the end of their shift.
“By ensuring that only qualified employers oversee crane work and operations, we can continue to help reduce the risk of catastrophic failures before they happen,” said Business Manager, Bryan Railton.
This reform follows seven fatalities involving tower cranes in the past five years, tragedies that highlighted the urgent need for stronger training, certification, and oversight to restore trust within the industry and the public.
These new measures are the result of sustained advocacy and pressure from IUOE Local 115 leadership, alongside industry partners such as BC Crane Safety. Our union played a critical role in pushing government and industry toward meaningful reforms that strengthen safety and accountability in the crane sector.
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