Introduction

PEO, mandated to regulate professional engineering in Ontario, issues the bulletin to notify license holders of their responsibilities concerning recent changes to tower crane inspection regulations. Amendments to O. Reg. 213/91 were made by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to enhance crane safety on construction sites.

Summary of Regulation Changes (August 8, 2023)

• MLITSD updated requirements for tower cranes, including design, installation, maintenance, inspections, and record-keeping.
• Changes involve comprehensive inspections, references to PEO’s Practice Standard for Tower Crane Review, updated standards, technology considerations, and expanded inspections of tower crane components.

Roles and Responsibilities of Professional Engineers

• Only PEO license holders or limited license holders can perform duties as an “engineer” in O. Reg. 213/91.
• • Amendments require inspections of tower crane elements by engineers, aligning with PEO’s performance standards. This requires that the engineers inspecting the crane must be multi-disciplined (electrical, mechanical and structural). Single engineers performing all inspections may be considered professional misconduct.

General Guidance for the Interim (Effective Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 1, 2025)

• Temporary license holders are not permitted to act as “review engineers.”
• “Review engineers” should review work within their competency, delegating tasks outside their expertise.
• Multiple engineers may be required for different components of tower crane inspections, with each engineer signing or stamping their work.
• PEO is updating the Practice Standard for Tower Crane Review and Performance Standards for Tower Crane Inspections.

Comparison Breakdown

Here is the breakdown of the comparison provided between the amended sections of O. Reg. 213/91, the previous regulations, and the interim guidance for “review engineers”:

Erection and Support of Tower Cranes

• Amended regulations emphasize the design of foundations, shoring, and bracing by an engineer, aligning with crane manufacturer specifications.
• Engineers are required to sign off on design drawings and ensure compliance before a crane is erected.

Inspections and Reports

• The role of engineers in inspecting foundations, shoring, and bracing is emphasized in both the amended and previous regulations.
• Reports detailing the inspections are mandated, specifying compliance with design drawings.

Standards and Specifications

• New regulations introduce references to standards such as CSA Standard Z248-17 for crane erection, climbing, dismantling, and other related procedures.
• Components of tower cranes manufactured after specific dates must meet certain design standards detailed in the regulations.

Performance and Operational Testing

• Periodic inspections and non-destructive testing of structural elements, electrical components, control systems, and more are emphasized.
• Testing and inspections are to be conducted by engineers or designated competent workers, ensuring compliance with performance standards.

Operational Safety Measures

• Regulations outline requirements for limiting devices, load indicators, and other safety mechanisms in tower cranes.
• Specific guidelines are provided for operational tests to ensure these safety measures function correctly.

Cabin and Boom Requirements

• Rules are provided regarding the location and attachment of operator cabins in tower cranes, with considerations for manufacturer specifications and engineering assessments.

Interim Guidance for Review Engineers

• The interim guidance provides clarity to Professional Engineers (P.Eng. license holders) on their responsibilities pending further updates to the Practice Standard on Tower Crane and its Performance Standard.
• This guidance helps ensure compliance with new or updated regulations and standards.

The full bulletin can be found here

At HITE Engineering, we help you ensure safety through engineering. Our experienced engineers and technicians have specialized knowledge in all facets of workplace safety. Contact us today to learn more For guidance and assistance with these new regulations.