Crane company issued six-figure fine for alleged unsafe work practices at Abbotsford worksite

ABBOTSFORD – A B.C. crane company has been issued a fine of over $150,000 for alleged unsafe work practices at a residential construction project in Abbotsford.

According to a summary on the WorkSafeBC website, Velocity Cranes Ltd. was operating a tower crane at a residential construction project in Abbotsford on an undisclosed date.

WorkSafeBC says it inspected the site and saw that required pre-shift tests, including testing trolley limits, maximum line pull limit, maximum load moment limit, and zoning device limits, were not performed before the crane was used for the first time during a shift.

WorkSafeBC also claims it determined that the firm’s procedures for testing tower crane safety and operators’ competency assessments did not include procedures for a pre-shift test of zone-limiting devices. The crane was observed lifting a load of material without the appropriate sling arrangement in place.

WorkSafeBC claims the firm failed to ensure loads of two or more pieces of material longer than 3m were slung using a two-legged sling arrangement, a repeated violation, and failed to ensure that limit devices on tower cranes were tested before the crane was first used on each work shift in accordance with the testing procedures of the manufacturer or a professional engineer. These were both considered high-risk violations.

The firm also allegedly failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety, a repeated violation, WorkSafeBC claims.

The imposed date of the $152,586.94 fine was October 5, 2026. The status and amount shown were current as of the posted date of Oct. 5, though the current amount may not reflect the final penalty amount. The results may not reflect the most current status of the penalty if it is under review.

WorkSafeBC’s website does not currently show any kind of review requested by the company, though this is subject to change.

WorkSafeBC defines administrative penalties like these as fines imposed on employers for health and safety violations of the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and/or orders of WorkSafeBC, and for failure to take sufficient precautions to prevent workplace injuries or illnesses. WorkSafeBC says penalties are published as a deterrent and to highlight the importance of making workplaces safe.

Fraser Valley Today emailed the crane company Friday morning, Nov. 13, seeking comment on the alleged unsafe work practices. This story will be updated if additional information is received.