Crane's mechanical failure prompted SkyTrain closure: WorkSafeBC

A report from WorkSafeBC says a mechanical failure in a construction crane led to the closure of a SkyTrain station in Vancouver last week.

After lifting a seven-tonne, nine-metre wall panel to the top of the eight-floor building under construction at 2150 Keith Dr., a mechanical failure caused the crane to begin slowly lowering its load, according to an inspection report by the workplace safety agency dated Tuesday. 

Despite the operator applying the crane's emergency brakes, the crane continued to lower the wall panel. The operator then moved the panel so it came to a rest on the eighth floor of the building, and the worksite was evacuated, the report says.

The neighbouring VCC-Clark SkyTrain station was closed around 11 a.m. as a precaution, and reopened just after midnight Friday, TransLink said.

Vancouver police said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that traffic in the area was affected as crews dealt with "a construction crane issue." All roads in the area have since reopened.

At the time, the City of Vancouver said the contractor was working with WorkSafeBC, TransLink, Vancouver police and the city to ensure the safety of the public and workers in the area.

Nobody was injured as a result of the mechanical failure.

WorkSafeBC has ordered the contractor, Ventana Construction Corporation, to stop using the wall panel and its braces until it can be inspected.