Top climbing, a common way of assembling and dismantling a tower crane, is hazardous work that must only be performed by qualified workers.

The importance of tower crane safety was brought to the forefront in July 2021 when a tower crane collapsed while being dismantled at a construction site in Kelowna. As a result, five people were killed, including four workers and a person unrelated to the construction site. Another worker was injured.

The bulletin notes that failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions may result in a structural failure that puts lives and property at risk. It provides an overview of top climbing, discusses the hazards, employer responsibilities, safe work practices, and legal and regulatory requirements.

For more information and resources, visit Tower cranes.