Complex tow requirements
Description of a complex tow and WorkSafeBC requirements.
Description
A complex tow (vehicle recovery) is a recovery operation that requires measures above the standard recovery process, and can involve one or more of the following:
- use of heavy tow truck in a mountainous, deep valley and/or with narrow road geography
- assistance of an off-road heavy equipment vehicle or specialized piece of equipment, such as a crane
- use of an extension to the winch line from the line available on the tow vehicle, due to the distance of the vehicle from the roadway
- recovery of a vehicle where the location presents a hazard such as a lake, river, or ravine, or
- recovery of a vehicle carrying or containing high risk cargo, which can pose environmental or safety issues, if accidentally released.
Tow company safety requirements
All tow companies must complete the Facility and Equipment Requirements for Base Towing and Towing and Recovery Plus form (CL174J). Within the CL174J, is the Towing Supplier Safety Questionnaire, which details WorkSafeBC requirements for companies looking to perform complex tows. Based on the answers provided, ICBC determines if a tow company meets the necessary requirements.
The WorkSafeBC requirements are, as follows:
- must have a health and safety program in place
- all traffic control personnel, when required, are industry certified in standardized traffic control procedures, and
- all tow operators
- are adequately trained in the health and safety program
- have access to a shift supervisor or emergency contact, should additional assistance be required, and
- have appropriate safety gear such as gloves, steel toed boots, hard hats, and high visibility vests within the vehicle.