WorkSafeBC has assigned about $1.3 million in penalties for crane-related safety violations at Vancouver and Victoria construction sites, including a fatal incident in 2024. The updated penalties database, published December 12, targets safety failures tied to crane operations across two cities, with the bulk of fines going to EllisDon Corporation and a separate penalty for Newway Concrete Forming.
Oakridge Park tragedy
Two penalties totaling over $627,000 stem from the February 2024 death of worker Yuridia Flores at the Oakridge Park project in Vancouver. WorkSafeBC reports that a tower crane lifting a flytable formwork system caused the load to accelerate and fall from the building’s side, fatally striking the worker.
EllisDon Corporation was fined $514,831.53. As the prime contractor, WorkSafeBC found that the company failed to regularly review subcontractor safety procedures, did not ensure a critical lift plan was in place, and did not coordinate health and safety activities at the multi-employer site.
Newway Concrete Forming was fined $112,624.66. Investigators identified several deficiencies, including insufficient training for ground control workers, inadequate procedures for flying corner tables, and failure to follow critical lift requirements.
Ongoing safety concerns
A third administrative penalty of $688,589.56 was issued to EllisDon for two crane incidents in 2025. In Vancouver (April 2025), a rigging sling failed after being cut by a sharp canopy edge, causing a load of steel components to drop. In Victoria (June 2025), a tower crane dropped its load of core box formwork during a lift. WorkSafeBC found that, in both cases, there was no evidence that detailed lift plans were developed or reviewed before operations. The agency labeled this a “repeated and high-risk violation” by the prime contractor for failing to maintain a robust compliance system.
Crane safety emphasis
WorkSafeBC emphasizes that these penalties are intended to drive compliance as crane-related risk rises in the sector. A 2024 agency review noted increasing hazards due to more cranes in operation and the complexity of multi-employer worksites. The release states, “The three penalties demonstrate that there are significant financial consequences for high-risk violations and repeated non-compliance.”
In 2024, the Provincial Crane Inspection Team conducted over 1,500 inspections, issuing more than 800 orders, including 36 stop-work orders. These actions reflect a broader effort to strengthen crane safety across British Columbia.
