Elevating Devices
State of Safety 2025
Yearly Trends: Elevating Devices
We oversee the installation and operation of elevating devices across BC in accordance with the Safety Standards Act and the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation. This includes elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, construction hoists, manlifts, lifts for barrier free access, and material lifts.
Collaborating with the Elevating Industry
In 2025, we continued to strengthen our engagement with industry by sharing safety insights and highlighting key compliance themes. At the NAESA Canada Workshop, we presented incident investigation findings that emphasized the critical role of rail fasteners in maintaining elevator safety and reliability. This session supported ongoing efforts to reinforce maintenance quality and hazard awareness across the sector.
We remained active participants in code development through our work on several CSA B44/ASME A17.1 technical subcommittees, including mechanical design; inspections; maintenance, repair and replacement; and escalators and moving walks. Our contributions helped shape future requirements for safer and more consistent elevating‑device design, maintenance, and operation. In parallel, we continued our involvement on the CSA B355 committee, supporting the evolution of standards for lifts that provide barrier‑free access.
As we continue working towards the adoption of the latest codes and standards for elevating devices in BC, we proactively analyzed the impacts of the new standards, reviewed existing regulatory tools for alignment, and continued to engage with stakeholders.
Through these combined efforts — industry education, incident‑driven learning, active code‑development participation, and forward‑looking regulatory preparation — we strengthened our elevating‑device safety program and supported a safer, more consistent operating environment for device users and industry partners across BC.
59
Incidents reported to us in 2025
14
Injuries reported to us in 2025
3,547
Assessments completed in 2025
Elevator Counterweight Collides with Passenger Car After Leaving Guide Tracks
On April 9, 2025, the counterweight of a freight elevator in a 32‑floor high‑rise office building came off the tracks, and while the elevator was unoccupied, the free‑swinging counterweight struck the bottom of the passenger car, bending and tearing its metal frame and breaking the counterweight guide assembly. Two 50‑lb balancing weights dislodged and fell from the 17th floor into the elevator pit. The incident triggered the elevator’s overspeed safety circuit, stopping its operation.
The counterweight guide rail bracket concrete anchor was likely installed correctly and failed when a significant lateral force was applied to it. The required inspections and testing may not have identified the failed anchor during their regular intervals. It is unclear what the origin of the lateral force was, although it is possible that recent seismic activity may have contributed.
Learn About This Incident
Incidents
Sixty-seven incidents were reported in 2025, a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Eleven were ranked as “insignificant,” 12 were ranked as “minor,” and seven were ranked as “moderate,” while nine were ranked as “major.” We also saw one “severe” incident and 11 incidents continue to be “under assessment.”
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Injuries
In 2025, 14 injuries were reported in the elevating devices technology, a 58% decrease compared to 2024, although it is important to note that injuries from reports that are under assessment are not yet reflected in our data.
We receive injury reports and descriptions from operators or first responders at the time of, or immediately following, the incident. Injuries may develop after the initial reports were made to us, and the long-term effects of a resultant injury may not be recorded as part of our investigation.
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Permits
In 2025, we issued 2,223 installation permits and saw 30,224 active operating permits in the elevating devices technology. The number of installation permits increased from 2024 by 12% and operating permits by 8%.
Installation Permits Issued by Year
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Active Operating Permits by Year
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Assessments
Our safety officers completed 3,547 assessments in 2025. Of this total, 3,071 were in-person assessments, and 476 were remote assessments.
The results of in-person assessments included: 1,498 “passed,” 1,140 “conditional pass,” and 433 “failed." The results of remote assessments included: 448 “passed,” 10 “conditional pass,” and 18 “failed.”
Learn more about how we define these assessment outcomes.
Physical Inspections Completed by Pass, Failed
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Remote Inspections Completed by Pass, Failed
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