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What Are the Levels of Rigging?
Riggers are responsible for the safe transportation of machinery and equipment around a jobsite. Before beginning any rigging work, employees must ensure they have the proper licensing due to the high-risk environment.
Prospective riggers must enroll in a course with an approved training provider and then apply for their rigging license. But, there are several different rigging programs available, including basic, intermediate, and advanced programs. Additionally, workers must submit an application for a license to their local workplace safety authority after finishing course requirements and passing an exam. Choice of course will depend on the kind of work employees will be performing on the job. Here is a summary of the topics covered in each of these rigging classes:
Basic Rigging
Basic rigging training includes training on plant and equipment transportation, steel erections, different hoists, pre-cast concrete installation, safety nets, static lines, perimeter safety screens, and other topics. Prospective riggers will learn about safe work planning, equipment selection, and equipment suitability checks. Additionally, they will learn how to create a working structure, set up a work assignment securely, and take it down once the activity is finished.
This course teaches you how to plan out your task, how to choose the correct equipment, and how to examine it for compatibility. You will also learn how to securely set up a work assignment, create a structure, and remove it once the project is over. Those interested in basic rigging training must be over 18 years old and have a dogging license before enrolling.
Intermediate Rigging
The next level is the intermediate rigging course, expanding on what workers learn in the basic course. An intermediate rigging course teaches students how to rig various hoists, cranes, conveyors, dredges, and excavators in addition to conducting rigging work for steel erections, precast concrete, static lines, and crane loading platforms. Workers will study safe rigging techniques for tilt slabs, dual lifts, and work related to plant or structural demolition. Those enrolled in the intermediate course must have finished a basic rigging course as a prerequisite.
Advanced Rigging
Advanced rigging classes instruct students on how to rig gin poles, shear legs, flying foxes, cableways, guyed derricks, and suspended scaffolds. Before enrolling in an advanced rigging course, employees must have completed the intermediate rigging training.
Certificate III in Rigging
Rigging can also be thoroughly studied in a Certificate III program. Once workers have completed the required exams for this training course, they will get a Statement of Attainment.
The certificate program is perfect for those who are currently employed in the construction business, or who have some prior experience in rigging but are not certified, since it encompasses the training content of the basic and intermediate programs and may be customized to the person. Those who seek to get a Statement of Attainment to demonstrate proficiency in 15 learning units to gain this certificate.
Common Rigging Certifications
Qualification Certification
This fundamental rigging training course is ideal for giving an overview of workplace activity. Keep in mind that riggers must be properly certified before performing any rigging work. Some companies provide basic qualification courses to help you get ready for rigging certifications and make sure you have the basic knowledge needed to operate the equipment. The following are some ideas you could learn:
- Using vocabulary to identify workplace hazards
- Crane, derrick, and hoist classifications
- Routine activities on construction sites
- Typical workday tasks
- Equipment parts
- Moving and hoisting techniques
- Emergency procedures
- Selection, examination, and usage of rigging materials
- Connectors like synthetic slings, chains, and wire
Although you won’t perform advanced rigging duties without the proper qualifications, you can get a certificate demonstrating that you follow OSHA regulations, which can help you prepare for advanced rigging certification examinations.
Level I Certification
Level I rigging certification prepares you to conduct basic rigging methods. You may expect to learn about the following elements of the position:
- Inspecting rigs
- Securing rigs to hitches with standard setups
- Recognizing rig hazards
- Learning to signal
- Using various tools and equipment
This certification includes both written and practical exams as well as classroom instruction. Level I certification typically requires 35 hours to accomplish. The certificate demonstrates that you meet the OSHA requirements to work as a rigger or signal person.
Level II Certification
You can expand on the information and abilities you acquired after receiving your Level I rigging certification. Level II certification will teach you how to choose the proper components, determine important measurements, and calculate capacity. You will have more freedom and need less supervision if you have a Level II certification. Other abilities you might include:
- Estimating variables like weight and gravity centers
- Deciding where to lift and move equipment safely
- Calculating rigging capacity through thorough inspections
- Determining rigging and hitch configurations
- Identifying dangers and risks
- Learning specific rigging dynamics
This can take about 4 days or 35 hours, the same Level I certification. Most training programs require a Level I certificate so you have the background information to enhance your abilities.
Drill Rigging Certification
In order to deposit or extract resources, massive machinery is used to dig underground wells known as drill rigs. When obtaining certification, you could learn about some of the following drill rigging elements:
- Examining the equipment
- Safety strategies and procedures
- Operating procedures
- Laying pipes
- Drill techniques
- Positioning tools
- Securing machinery
You must pass written and practical tests for several pieces of equipment within a year to get certified to operate a drill rig. To keep your qualifications up to date, you will need to renew your certification every few years.
Signal Person Certification
Rigging Signal Person interact with expert riggers to direct their motions and activities. The following are features of the market you might learn about:
- Verbal and hand signaling
- Signals application
- Understanding basic machinery and equipment
- Techniques for risk assessment and safety
- Crane use
After passing a written test, you need to complete a practical exam where you must demonstrate your understanding of the signals used on construction sites in order to become certified. You will have to renew this certification every five years, like drill rig certifications.
Qualified Rigger Training
Employers are required to hire trained riggers for assembly operations while lifting anything. Additionally, whether workers are directing, hooking, or unhooking a load, or making the first connection of a load to a component or structure, they must be certified riggers. The approved certified rigger needs to be able to properly rig the load for a specific task. That doesn’t mean a rigger needs to be certified to do all rigging jobs.
With a job like rigging, workplace knowledge develops over a long period of time. You cannot put a price on experience. Riggers need to be able to handle unstable, heavy, or irregular loads that may need a tandem lift, numerous lifts, or the use of specialized rigging equipment. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that all candidates can perform the rigging work required for the job while using the necessary tools and equipment.
What Is a Crane Rigger?
Essentially, a crane rigger is in charge of supervising a crane’s use. Despite the fact that this may sound like the crane operator’s job, crane riggers actually have different duties.
The rigger is on the ground supervising the job while the crane operator is seated behind the crane’s controls. They also make sure that the loads are securely fastened and put up the pulleys and cables for the crane. They arrange communication with the rest of their team so they can carry the cargo safely when the time comes to move it.
As they prepare to use the crane, crane riggers are always on the lookout for any potential risks or hazards. After a project is over, they also ensure the rigging equipment is properly cared for by maintaining and storing it. A crane rigger is essential to maintaining everyone’s safety since operating a crane is quite dangerous. The project may proceed without jeopardizing anybody onsite thanks to their monitoring and meticulousness.
How To Become a Crane Rigger
Although it comes with a lot of responsibility, working as a crane rigger can also be incredibly gratifying. Because of the constant need for their talents, anyone with the necessary training will be in great demand as an employee. You could enjoy working as a crane rigger if the idea of learning a new skill and escaping your office cubicle appeals to you.
Get Your Rigging Certification
At Hard Hat Training, we offer basic, intermediate, and advanced Rigging & Signaling Safety Training as an online course, a training kit, and a train the trainer format. For those looking to make their own schedule, we highly recommend the online certification course. You are free to move at your own pace while completing our online course. For individuals who might benefit from this type of learning experience, we provide fully-narrated courses.
Our online Rigger and Signal Person safety training course complies with regulations and meets OSHA’s need for classroom instruction. Each course has sections on weight, angles and stress, center of gravity, sling hitch designs, and the tools and lifting equipment riggers can expect use.