Mobile crane and boom truck safety
When it comes to the inspection and operation of mobile cranes and boom trucks, taking every step to ensure safety is essential. This page is a resource to help Yukon owners, operators and engineers navigate the following topics:
Responsibilities
Inspection and maintenance
Crane operator certification
Legislation
Training
Rigging and hoisting resources
Electrical safety
Templates
Related equipment
Responsibilities
Employers, supervisors, contractors and operators are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others on the job site. This includes (but is not limited to) ensuring equipment is maintained to code, abiding by legislation, and following manufacturers' recommendations, applicable standards and good engineering practice.
Inspection and maintenance
To reduce the risk of equipment failure and injury, mobile cranes and boom trucks must be inspected and certified annually.
Our Mobile Crane and Boom Truck Annual Inspections Guideline helps owners, operators, certifying engineers and safety officers understand their responsibilities under the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act and Regulations. The document outlines legislative requirements and guides anyone working in Yukon through the inspection and certification process in a way that’s easy to follow and understand. The guideline covers the regulatory requirements of crane inspections (Part 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations), good engineering practice, inspection process, repair process and certification steps.
For additional resources on this topic, our colleagues at WorkSafeBC have produced a video that explains the potentially devastating consequences of when crane inspection or maintenance is skipped.
Engineers and Geoscientists BC, in collaboration with WorkSafeBC, produced the Annual Equipment Inspection and Certification in British Columbia guide. The goal of the guide is to provide clarity to owners, engineers and inspectors. This is done by setting a “minimum bar” for professional practice by defining the level of involvement and level of experience and education required by the certifying professional.
Engineers Yukon is the local self-governing body that regulates the engineering profession in Yukon. The organization sets and maintain high academic, experience and professional practice standards for all members.
Crane operator certification
All Yukon crane operators (boom trucks, mobile cranes and tower cranes) are required to have a valid operator’s certificate. In Yukon, certification is administered through the BC Association for Crane Safety (BC Crane Safety).
You can register with BC Crane Safety here.
You will receive an ID number and access to online resources including a personal profile, SkillRecord electronic logbook, and up-to-date news and information. If you’re not sure if you’re already registered, or if you are registered and have forgotten your BC Crane Safety ID number, call 1-855-526-2621.
Crane operator standards
Competency profile charts for crane operators who operate boom truck, mobile and tower cranes are available from BC Crane Safety here. The charts are designed to help crane operators and employers meet the requirements for operating cranes in Yukon, and they form the foundation for your practical assessment.
Crane mechanic designation
This designation allows the mechanic to operate a crane in the role of mechanic on behalf of an employer. The designation is restricted to that role and does not allow commercial lifts to be made.
Legislation
Below is a list of applicable legislation relating to the use, operation, maintenance and inspection of mobile cranes in Yukon.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Part 5 - Cranes, Hoisting and Lifting
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Part 6 - Mobile Equipment
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Part 9 - Electrical Safety
Engineering legislation
Yukon Engineering Profession Act
Yukon Engineering Profession Regulation
Engineers Yukon Code of Ethics
Standards
Many Regulations under Yukon’s Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act require compliance with standards published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group. Registration with CSA Communities is required to view the standards, but you are under no obligation to purchase anything.
Training
From learning the basics of safe crane operations, to building an understanding of hand signals and various knots, training is the foundation of crane safety. Below is a list of courses offered in Yukon. Please note that training taken outside of the territory may also be accepted within Yukon.
Yukon University - Crane Operator
Yukon University - Rigging and Hoisting
Rigging and hoisting resources
Rigging and hoisting is a fundamental part of crane safety. Rigging can only be performed by qualified workers or under the direct supervision of qualified workers.
The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) also has a thorough safety manual for rigging and hoisting.
The Yukon Codes of practice hand signals and rigging explains the requirements for standard hand signals for crane operations. WorkSafeBC has also provided toolbox guides for hand signals for hoist and crane operations and tower crane operations, as well as a resource that provides guidance on preventing lifting point failures in construction.
In addition, Sims Crane has produced a simple video (refers to American legislation) explaining hand signals, which are universal.
Electrical safety
Staying safe around electricity is extremely important when operating a crane or boom truck. For regulatory requirements, see Part 9 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, particularly section 9.18 Limits of approach.
ATCO’s electrical safety page includes information on everything from safe digging tips to what to do when you see a downed powerline. ATCO also delivers educational programs for Yukoners of all ages, like their 7 Steps to Electrical Safety. WorkSafeBC has produced a video that shows operators what happens, and what to do, when their crane truck contacts a high-voltage power line.
For more information about working around power lines, contact ATCO at 1-800-661-0513 or 1-867-633-7000, or Yukon Energy at 1-866-926-3749 or 1-867-393-5300.
Templates
The following templates and fact sheets were produced in various jurisdictions across Canada and can be used as helpful safety and industry resources in Yukon.
Mobile Crane Inspection Checklist (WorkSafeBC)
Mobile Crane Operator’s Log (WorkSafeNB)
Overhead Hoist Logbook (WorkSafeNB)
Tower Crane Inspection Checklists (WorkSafeBC)
Mobile crane requirements for planning and operation (WorkSafeBC)
Materials handling for cranes fact sheets (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
Visit BC Crane Safety’s industry resource page for further resources on crane safety and certification.
Related equipment
For equipment that is not specifically designed as a crane—hydraulic excavators, hydraulic loaders, telehandlers, zoom booms, forklifts, mobile elevating work platforms, etc.—but are capable of being used as a lifting device, please follow applicable legislation, standards, codes and industry best practice.
The following resources may also be helpful:
Northern Safety Network Yukon (NSNY):
Aerial Platform/Scissor Lift Operator training
WorkSafe BC’s Hydraulic Excavators: Lifting with Slings resource page
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our gratitude to WorkSafeBC, WorkSafeNB, BC Crane Safety, CCOHS, NSNY, IHSA, ATCO Group, Yukon University and all the organizations that provided safety resources for this page.