Published on: June 18, 2025

In 2024, WorkSafeBC expanded its crane safety initiative to improve crane operations across B.C. construction sites. A key focus? Making sure crane operators are not just certified — but truly competent, meaning they have the knowledge and skills to complete their work safely and successfully. We spoke with Theresa O’Hara, an occupational safety officer with the Provincial Crane Inspection Team, about what employers need to know — and how they can take practical steps to ensure safe crane operations.

By Marguerite Pigeon

Theresa O’Hara

Occupational safety officer, Provincial Crane Inspection Team
Years on the job: 5.5
Region: Port Moody

How can an employer tell if their operator is competent?

Assessment, observation, and documentation are key. Competency isn’t just about passing a test — it’s about having the knowledge necessary for safe and consistent performance on the job. An employer who considers its crane operator fully skilled and knowledgeable on a particular crane must have evidence of strong performance on routine knowledge checks. BC Crane Safety’s Operator Competency Assessment is a valuable template employers can use as a starting point. It should be adjusted to align with equipment, safe work practices, and needs of each worksite.

Employers should also be able to answer “yes” to questions like the ones below, and have evidence of the knowledge and skills behind each one:

• Do they apply safety protocols without prompting?
• Can they perform inspections and maintenance independently?
• Do they complete crane capacity and rigging calculations correctly and consistently?
• Can they read, understand, and properly use load charts specific to the crane and setup?

An employer’s goal is to ensure that operators are capable of performing their tasks safely and independently.

Why is crane operator competency such a focus right now?

Certification alone doesn’t guarantee safety. Employers are responsible for ensuring that every crane operator on their site is able to do the work they are assigned safely. That means more than checking a certificate. It means testing knowledge, observing performance, identifying gaps, and supporting training. For provisional operators, it also means using detailed supervision plans to guide skill building and safe practices.

Competency is what keeps a site moving safely and efficiently. It protects workers, prevents incidents, and ensures the job gets done right.

What are other employers doing?

Many are stepping up. We’re seeing employers build strong training systems, and as a result, more operators are passing their exams and becoming fully certified. Employers are realizing that investing in competency pays off — in safety, productivity, and peace of mind.

What support is available to help me do this right?

Workers and employers can call WorkSafeBC’s 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.

BC Crane Safety also offers tools to support training, supervision, and certification.

This article kicks off a three-part series on effective supervision and crane safety. See future issues for a closer look at supervision plans and impactful assessments.

Looking for answers to your specific health and safety questions? Send them to us at worksafemagazine@worksafebc.com and we’ll consider them for our next “Ask an officer” feature.

This information originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. To read more or to subscribe, visit WorkSafe Magazine.