A national standard for rigging and hoisting competencies

CSA Group, a not-for-profit standards organization, and WorkSafeBC have partnered to launch the first national standard for rigging and hoisting competencies across Canada.

The proposed standard aims to establish a clear, nationally recognized baseline of competencies — the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to safely perform rigging and hoisting work.

By defining these core competencies, the standard intends to provide a common benchmark for training providers, employers, regulators, and workers across industries including construction, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and marine operations.

“National standards help create a common understanding of what safe work looks like,” said Kay Penn, Director, Health and Safety Standards, CSA Group.

“CSA Group brings together experts from industry, labour, government, and technical communities to develop practical, consensus based standards that support consistent competency expectations across Canada.”

Across Canada, regulatory requirements for rigging exist, but expectations for competency vary. This has led to inconsistencies in how workers are trained, assessed, and verified.

Work environments and lifting operations are becoming increasingly complex, with serious incidents involving rigging and hoisting continuing to occur.

WorkSafeBC says a nationally recognized definition of competency will help establish a consistent baseline to perform this work safely.

“Rigging and hoisting activities are performed every day across a wide range of industries and require a high level of knowledge, skill, and judgment,” said Angelique Prince, Director of Prevention Programs and Services, WorkSafeBC.

“This national standard will help establish a consistent benchmark for competency, support stronger training and assessment practices, and contribute to safer lifting operations for workers across Canada.”

The proposed standard is expected to:

• Define competency requirements for rigging and hoisting work, scaled to the complexity of the task.
• Support the development of certification programs through competency assessments that are valid, reliable, and practical.
• Clarify employers’ responsibility to assess competency in the specific work environment and verify that it remains current.
• Maintain competency standards through CSA Group’s national committee process and regular reviews of changing work practices, equipment, and hazards.

This work is part of WorkSafeBC’s broader effort to strengthen crane and rigging safety in B.C.

This work includes a comprehensive review of Part 15 (Rigging) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, with anticipated revisions to rigger training, assessment, and qualification requirements.

WorkSafeBC has provided funding to accelerate the development of the standard and advance a consistent approach to competency across Canada.

CSA Group, an accredited standards development organization, will lead the development process. The organization has more than 75 years of experience developing occupational health and safety standards.

Work on the national standard is commencing this fall, with consultations expected in spring 2027 and implementation in late 2027.