WorkSafeBC

The three general crane categories in BC are boom truck, mobile crane, and tower crane. In BC, crane operators must possess a certificate acceptable to WorkSafeBC. To achieve certification in BC, workers must complete a competency assessment.

Acceptable Certificates

Crane operators who possess a crane operator trades qualification certificate issued in BC by the former Industry Training Authority and Apprenticeship Commission (ITAC), or a Red Seal, do not need to undergo the assessment. The ITAC-issued qualification card or Red Seal is sufficient to meet WorkSafeBC's crane operator requirements.

Crane operators who possess a crane operator trades qualification certificate issued in a Canadian jurisdiction other than BC must obtain BC certification prior to operating a crane in BC. To obtain BC certification, crane operators must register with the BC Association for Crane Safety and complete an application for the type of crane consistent with the current qualification. A jurisprudence package will be provided that outlines the health and safety requirements in BC and a study guide that describes safe work practice for the appropriate crane type. A BC certificate will be issued that is consistent with the out-of-jurisdiction qualification. For example, the holder of an Alberta tower crane operator certificate will be issued a BC tower crane operator certificate.

Red Seal mobile crane operators from outside BC must register with the BC Association for Crane Safety and receive a BC jurisprudence package.

Three Crane Operator Competency Profile Charts have been designed to assist you and your company meet the requirements for crane operations in BC. These Profile Charts also form the basis for the practical assessment.

• Tower Crane Operator (PDF 148 KB)
• Mobile Crane Operator (PDF 188 KB)
• Boom Truck Operator (PDF 192 KB)

WorkSafeBC does not offer crane operator training, nor is a specific training program required. Training, if required by a crane operator, may be undertaken through and employer's in-house program or through a third party program provider or training agency.

Regulations and related materials

• Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Section 14.34.1
• OHS Guideline G14.34.1 Operator certification

Resources

• To register as a crane operator, contact the BC Association for Crane Safety
• To learn more about crane operator assessment and to view study guides, check out the web site of the Fulford Harbour Group
• Prevention resources for crane safety are available on the WorkSafeBC Construction web site
• Comprehensive information about industry training programs in BC is available on the web site of the Industry Training Authority (ITA)
• You may also be interested in reading about Labour Mobility for Certified Tradespeople on the Industry Training Authority (ITA) web site

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