Ask an officer: Crane operator competency and what employers need to know
Employers in B.C. must ensure operators — including experienced and trainee — of all crane types have the skills and knowledge to do the job safely. A well-designed competency assessment program and a supervision plan can help employers ensure operators work safely and proficiently.
By Lyndsay Barrett and Geo Thomas, certification specialists at WorkSafeBC
Theresa O’Hara
Occupational safety officer, Provincial Crane Inspection Team
Years on the job: 7
Region: Port Moody
Occupational safety officer Theresa O’Hara shares some practical advice with us on assessing operator skills, responding to knowledge and skill gaps, and knowing when to seek outside support.
As an employer, how can I assess whether a crane operator is prepared to operate specific equipment and perform required tasks?
Start by reviewing the operator’s previous competency assessments and training records. Review information specific to the equipment being operated to ensure the assessment is specific enough. This information can include manufacturers’ operating instructions, maintenance requirements, and appropriate sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Consider site-specific hazards as well.
An employer might adapt our guide to evaluating a tower crane operator’s competency to the specifics of their own crane type and pair it with a tailored supervision plan.
Once all this information has been reviewed, it’s much easier for both employers and supervisors to assess, plan, and support operators. As part of the supervision plan, additional supervisors with certain skills but limited training experience could oversee specific tasks.
What steps should I take if an operator shows gaps in ability or experience?
A supervision plan is the best way to answer this question. Once an operator’s skills and experience are assessed, the employer or supervisor can use the supervision plan to document (and track) the specific steps needed to help the operator build the skills they need to get the work done safely. If a well-designed assessment and training system is in place, then it is much easier to determine how to close a gap.
I sometimes hear the concern from employers that if they point out an operator’s gaps, then the operator can’t be left alone or can’t run the crane. That’s not necessarily true. Identifying a gap lets you target training and adjust supervision so the operator can safely do tasks they are ready for, while building new skills.
When should I seek help and what kind of support can I expect?
Employers need to reflect on their own skills and abilities to determine if they have enough knowledge of assessment, training, and their equipment to develop this kind of system.
They might need support to set up the assessment and training plan tools. Once a good system is in place, the employer is responsible for implementing it and ensuring their supervisors are trained to conduct assessments.
What support is available to help me do this right?
Workers and employers can call our Prevention Information Line (1.888.621.7233) to speak with a crane team member. We encourage employers to call before starting any crane work.
Prevention officers can review supervision plans, offer feedback, and connect employers with resources like our crane operation templates. View our Crane operator certification page on worksafebc.com to learn more.
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of WorkSafe Magazine.
It is the final installment in a three-part series on effective crane supervision and crane safety. The first of this series (Summer 2025) covered crane operator certification and the second (Fall 2025) detailed effective crane supervision plans.
To read more or to subscribe, visit WorkSafe Magazine.