Lower Mainland’s 4th crane incident of 2024 reported in Vancouver

WorkSafeBC says it’s investigating another crane incident in the Lower Mainland, this time in Vancouver.

The agency says it was called to a site along Victoria Drive, just south of East Broadway, after 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 4.

“A WorkSafeBC prevention officer and Sr. Engineer attended the site, and a stop-use order was placed on the crane. A stop-work order was also issued for a section of the workplace until a qualified person has confirmed that it is safe for workers to re-enter,” WorkSafe said in an email Tuesday.

It notes no injuries were reported.

WorkSafe explains this is the fourth crane incident of 2024 in Metro Vancouver. The first two didn’t result in any injuries, however, the third claimed the life of a worker at a construction site in Vancouver, at the Oakridge Park development on Feb. 21.

“WorkSafeBC is actively working to understand the cause of these crane-related incidents, and any contributing factors, so that similar incidents can be prevented from happening in the future,” WorkSafe said Tuesday.

It says early evidence “suggests there are few, if any, similarities between the incidents or the equipment involved.”

Despite the lack of similarities between the four cases, WorkSafe says it is bringing industry stakeholders together on Tuesday to talk about crane safety.

The participants include employers, labour groups, and the BC Association for Crane Safety (BC Crane Safety).

“Our thoughts and our deepest condolences go out to the family, co-workers, and friends affected by the tragic death of Yuridia Flores,” said Todd McDonald, head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “Incidents involving cranes can be catastrophic, and we are very concerned with the number of incidents that have occurred in such a short period of time.”

WorkSafe says it will look to identify any contributing factors between all the recent cases, to hopefully prevent similar incidents in the future.

It adds any findings that could “improve workplace safety will be immediately incorporated” into its initiatives, including inspections and education.

“Multiple incidents involving cranes demonstrate that workplace safety can never be taken for granted,” said McDonald. “And while each of the recent incidents appears to be unique, employers are reminded of the need to be vigilant in ensuring the maintenance of their equipment and the safe working procedures of their staff.”

WorkSafe explains regulatory changes were brought in following a crane collapse in Seattle in 2019.