Published on: October 28, 2026

CSA Group, a not-for-profit standards organization, and WorkSafeBC have signed an agreement to support the expedited development of a national standard for rigging and hoisting competencies in Canada.

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The proposed standard aims to establish a clear, and nationally recognized baseline of competencies — the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to safely perform rigging and hoisting work. By defining these core competencies, the standard aims to provide a common benchmark for training providers, employers, regulators, and workers across industries including construction, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and marine operations.

“National standards help create a common understanding of what safe work looks like,” says Kay Penn, Director, Health and Safety Standards at CSA Group. “CSA Group brings together experts from industry, labour, government, and technical communities to develop practical, consensus-based standards that support consistent competency expectations across Canada.”

Regulatory requirements for rigging exist across Canada, but expectations for competency vary, leading to inconsistencies in how workers are trained, assessed, and verified. As equipment, work environments, and lifting operations become increasingly complex, serious incidents involving rigging and hoisting continue to occur. A nationally recognized definition of competency is needed to establish a consistent baseline for the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform this work safely.

"Rigging and hoisting activities are performed every day across a wide range of industries and require a high level of knowledge, skill, and judgment,” says Angelique Prince, Director of Prevention Programs and Services at WorkSafeBC. “This national standard will help establish a consistent benchmark for competency, support stronger training and assessment practices, and contribute to safer lifting operations for workers across Canada."

The proposed standard is expected to:

• Define competency requirements for rigging and hoisting work, scaled to complexity of the task.
• Support the development of certification programs through competency assessments that are valid, reliable, and practical.
• Clarify employers' responsibility to assess competency in the specific work environment and verify that it remains current.
• Maintain competency standards through CSA Group's national committee process and regular reviews of changing work practices, equipment, and hazards.

WorkSafeBC’s support for a national competency standard is part of its broader effort to strengthen crane and rigging safety in B.C. and contribute to a more consistent, nationally recognized approach to competency both within B.C. and across Canada.

This work includes a comprehensive review of Part 15 (Rigging) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, with anticipated revisions to rigger training, assessment, and qualification requirements.

WorkSafeBC has provided funding support to help accelerate the development of the standard and advance a consistent approach to competency across Canada.

CSA Group, an accredited standards development organization, will lead the development process. The organization has more than 75 years of experience developing occupational health and safety standards.

Work on the national standard is commencing this fall, with consultations expected in spring 2027, and implementation in late 2027.

About the CSA Group

CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good, and sustainability. We are a leader in Standards Development and in Testing, Inspection and Certification around the world including Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Our mandate is to hold the future to a higher standard. For more information about CSA Group, visit www.csagroup.org.

About WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC operates a non-profit workers’ compensation system funded solely by employer premiums and investment returns. The organization provides no-fault workplace insurance to 2.7 million workers and 286,000 employers across B.C. WorkSafeBC engages workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability in B.C. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, WorkSafeBC provides compensation and support to workers in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work.

For more information, contact:

Media Relations, WorkSafeBC
Email: media@worksafebc.com
Tel: 604.276.5157

Communications, CSA Group
Email: communications@csagroup.org
Tel: 416.554.0050