Lifting Device Certification in Canada: Forklift, Crane, Telehandler, MEWP & Rigging Training
- True North Safety Certifications
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
If your team operates a forklift, telehandler, crane, or mobile elevating work platform, certification isn't optional — it's a condition of working on almost every serious Canadian job site. And for the month of July, it's also more affordable: all Lifting Device courses are 20% off from July 1–31 using code LIFT20.
That covers six certifications: Forklift/Lift Truck, Telehandler, Overhead Crane, Mobile Boom Crane, Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP), and Hoisting and Rigging. Here's what each one covers, who needs it, and what to expect from the training.
Lifting Device courses are built around a shared foundation: every course includes the Core Competencies for Operators of Lifting Devices (CCO) module as a prerequisite, covering the safe work practices that apply across all lifting equipment and worksites. From there, each course adds equipment-specific training for the device your team actually operates. All six courses are CSA-aligned, delivered fully online, and include a final knowledge exam. To reach full certification, an employer or qualified supervisor also completes a practical evaluation using included evaluation tools — the online portion builds the knowledge, the practical evaluation confirms the hands-on competency.
Forklift / Lift Truck Certification
The most widely used lifting device course, built to CSA Standard B335-15. It covers hazard awareness, load handling, stability, pre-use inspections, and operator responsibilities for both new operators and experienced ones due for a refresher.
Who needs it: Warehouse and distribution staff, construction and manufacturing crews, and any supervisor overseeing forklift operations.
CSA B335-15 requires a minimum of 8 hours of supervised practice in addition to the course, which is why the practical evaluation step matters — this isn't a course you can complete start to finish without employer sign-off.
Telehandler Certification
Telehandlers combine the reach of a crane with the mobility of a forklift, which means the hazard profile is different from a standard lift truck. This course is CSA-compliant and built specifically around telehandler operation — load charts, stability on uneven ground, and attachment-specific hazards.
Who needs it: Operators running telehandlers on construction sites, in agriculture, or in material handling roles where reach and rough terrain are factors.
Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Certification
Formerly known in the industry as aerial lift or boom lift training, this course prepares operators to work safely at height using scissor lifts, boom lifts, and other elevating platforms. It covers environmental hazard awareness, the technical aspects of MEWP operation, and — critically — fall protection and rescue requirements specific to elevated platforms.
Who needs it: Anyone operating a MEWP for maintenance, construction, warehousing, or utility work where working at height is part of the job.
Mobile Boom Crane Certification
This course builds operator awareness of the technical aspects specific to mobile boom cranes — a distinct certification from overhead crane training, since the hazards, load charts, and setup considerations differ significantly between a mobile crane and a fixed overhead system.
Who needs it: Crane operators working construction, pipeline, and industrial sites where mobile boom cranes are used for lifts.
Overhead Crane Certification
Danatec's Overhead Crane course is built to CSA Standard B167-16 and covers bridge, gantry, and shop crane operation — inspections, hoisting and rigging equipment, hand signals, and safe operating procedure. It's a 4-hour course and is Gold Seal credit eligible through the Canadian Construction Association.
Who needs it: Operators and supervisors working with overhead crane systems in manufacturing, fabrication shops, and warehousing environments.
Hoisting and Rigging Certification
This course covers the fundamentals of safe lifting and rigging practices — hazard recognition, safe load calculations, rigging equipment use, and the CSA-standard hand signals used to coordinate crane operations. It's also Gold Seal credit eligible and typically takes around 5 hours to complete.
Who needs it: Riggers, signal persons, crane operators, and supervisors directly involved in planning or executing lifts.
Full certification for all six lifting device courses is valid for 3 years from the date of your practical evaluation. Add-on certifications (for operators who already hold a valid lifting device certificate and are adding a second device type) expire on the same date as your initial certification, so it's worth planning renewals around your first certification date rather than each course separately.
Provincial & Industry Applicability | Lifting Device Training
Lifting device training is CSA-standard-based rather than provincially legislated the way ground disturbance or JHSC training is, which means these certifications are recognized across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, subject to individual employer and site acceptance policies. That portability makes it practical for companies operating across multiple provinces or moving crews between job sites.
Industries where these certifications come up most often: construction, oil and gas, pipeline, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, and utilities — anywhere workers are handling loads with powered equipment.
Save 20% This July
All six Lifting Device courses — Forklift/Lift Truck, Telehandler, Overhead Crane, Mobile Boom Crane, MEWP, and Hoisting and Rigging — are 20% off from July 1 to July 31 with code LIFT20.
Training an entire crew? Contact us directly for group and bulk pricing options.
Call 1-877-314-7233 or visit safecert.ca to get certified before the promo ends.
True North Safety Certifications is a Canadian online safety training provider serving construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and utilities across Canada. All lifting device courses are delivered through our trusted training partner Danatec (We Know Training).
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