Crane Operator Safety Resources
A curated list of Canadian OHS links, CSA/ASME standards, and boom-truck programs for safe crane operations across Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
(Canada & USA – Standards, Associations, and Reference Material)
Running picker trucks, knuckle boom cranes, spider cranes or service-body cranes means living in the world of regulations, standards and paperwork. This page pulls together external resources our clients regularly ask about – from Alberta OHS and CSA standards to industry associations and boom-truck programs across Canada and the USA.
These links are provided so you can double-check legislation, find additional safety guidance and stay current with crane and hoisting best practices.
Important: We are not affiliated with any of the organizations listed below. Links are for general information only. Your company is responsible for verifying the most current regulations, standards and requirements for your jurisdiction.
Crane & Hoisting Standards and Technical Guidance
-
ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Key source for North American crane and rigging standards used by manufacturers, engineers and safety professionals. -
CSA – Canadian Safety Standards Group
Publishes Canadian standards such as CSA Z150 and CSA Z150.3 for mobile cranes and articulating cranes used on picker trucks and light-duty cranes. -
Crane & Hoisting Operator Regulations – Alberta
Alberta OHS and provincial legislation covering crane and hoisting operator requirements, including articulated (knuckle boom) cranes mounted on trucks. -
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
Federal guidance on OHS best practices, safety programs and worker rights and responsibilities. -
CHRSC – Canadian Hoisting & Rigging Safety Council
National group focused on safe hoisting and rigging practices across Canada, including guidance for employers, trainers and operators. -
ESC – Energy Safety Canada
Safety standards, bulletins and training resources specific to the Canadian energy sector – useful for oil and gas field operations using picker trucks and light-duty cranes. -
Fluid Power Safety Institute
Educational material on hydraulics and fluid power safety, applicable to modern knuckle boom cranes, picker units and other hydraulic equipment.
Provincial OHS and Workers’ Compensation Resources
-
OHS – Alberta
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety information, codes and guidelines. Reference point for Section 6 – Cranes, Hoists & Lifting Devices used in our training programs. -
OHS – Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan OHS regulations, policies and guidance for crane, rigging and lifting operations. -
WCB – Alberta
Workers’ compensation information for Alberta employers and workers, including incident reporting and claims. -
WorkSafeBC
British Columbia’s workers’ compensation and OHS authority. Includes crane and rigging requirements, bulletins and safety manuals.
Industry Associations and Crane Training Programs
These organizations provide additional training, certification or industry guidance that may be useful alongside your internal training and our on-site programs.
-
ActSafe – Motion Picture Safety (BC)
Safety resources for film and television productions in British Columbia, including guidance for aerial work platforms and lifting gear used on set. -
ACSA – Alberta Construction Safety Association
Construction safety training and COR/SECOR support for Alberta contractors, including crane-related safety content. -
BCACS – B.C. Association for Crane Safety
BC crane certification authority overseeing provincial crane operator certification and competency programs.. -
Manitoba Boom Truck Training Program
Provincial boom-truck operator training resources for Manitoba companies. -
Saskatchewan Boom Truck Training Program
Saskatchewan-based program for boom-truck and picker operators. -
NAIT – Boom Truck Operators Program
Technical training for boom-truck operators, often used as a foundation for new operators in Western Canada. -
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) – USA
Widely recognized crane operator certification body in the United States, including boom-truck and mobile-crane credentials. -
National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA)
Industry association for work-truck and equipment manufacturers and upfitters, including crane and service-body builders.
Crane & Rigging Publications and Supplier Resources
-
Crane Hot Line
Industry publication focused on cranes, lifting and specialized transport – useful for keeping up with trends, equipment and case studies. -
Rigging Supplies / Vendor Links
Many rigging suppliers publish load charts, rigging capacity information and product data that can support your internal procedures. Always ensure your rigging gear is rated, inspected and used according to manufacturer instructions and applicable standards.
How to Use These Resources in Your Operation
-
Verify legal requirements
Use the OHS, WCB and CCOHS links to confirm provincial and federal requirements for your cranes, operators and job sites. -
Align your procedures with standards
Cross-check your safe work practices, lift plans and training records against CSA and ASME guidance so your paperwork actually matches what regulators expect to see. -
Support your internal training
Provincial boom-truck and crane programs can complement our on-site certification courses by giving your operators additional theory and long-term development paths. -
Stay ahead of changes
Legislation and standards change. Bookmark this page, subscribe to a few of these organizations, and review your procedures at least once a year.
Need Help Turning This Into Practical Training?
If you need hands-on operator training for:
We deliver all our on-site certification programs across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Western Canada.
-
Visit our service pages for picker truck training and other light-duty crane programs to see course outlines and operator certification details.
-
Or contact us to schedule training at your shop or job site.
Crane Attachment Vendors:
Heiden Crane Attachments
CC Blocking [crane outrigger pads]
