Riggers have an important role to play in industries where heavy lifting, moving heavy machinery or equipment are needed. With their expertise, operations that involve lifting equipment such as cranes and hosts can be carried out safely and efficiently.
There are certificate courses that offer rigging basic training. But you have to research the course provider and the course content to see whether it is appropriate for the career you are interested in venturing into. There are many responsibilities a rigger has to handle. Before any lifting operation is underway, the rigger needs to inspect the safety and integrity of lifting equipment such as cranes, hoists, slings and joists. They need to check the equipment for wear and tear and whether they meet safety standards. They will also need to check the proper functioning of the mechanisms. There has to be careful planning and preparation as well. You need to plan and determine what the best methods are for lifting tasks along with equipment. This includes evaluating the dimensions and weight of the load and calculating load capacities. It is important to select the right rigging gear and ensure safe lifting procedures.
The riggers will set up and assemble
The rigging equipment according to the lifting procedure that is planned. This will include attaching hardware such as hooks, slings etc. to the load. There have to be proper connections to the lifting decided. The primary responsibility of a rigger is rigging tasks but they will also operate lifting devices such as hoists and cranes. They will use these devices to move loads in a safe manner. You need to have knowledge on operational controls, load capacity and safety protocols to operate such equipment. It is important to maintain effective communication in rigging operations. And riggers will communicate with ground crew, crane operators, and signal persons etc. to ensure safe lifting operations. This is needed to prevent accidents. With proper communication, you can ensure that everyone involved in the operation fully understands their roles and responsibilities.
Safety is critical when it comes to rigging operators
Riggers will enforce these practices and adhere to safety regulations. This includes the use of personal protective equipment, carrying out safety briefings and securing the work areas. They will identify potential hazards in the work area and take proactive measures to mitigate these risks. As there are diverse environments that riggers will work in, they need to inspect these areas for potential hazards. Some examples of these hazards are obstacles, uneven terrain and power lines overhead. These hazards can interfere with lifting operations. It is also important to follow industry standards and guidelines so that the rigging operations can be conducted safely. A rigger needs to have technical knowledge which includes mechanical principles, rigging techniques and load dynamics. They should be able to calculate the load capacities and select the right rigging gear. They need to be committed to safety practices, risk assessment and recognising hazards. They also need to pay attention to detail as they will be inspecting equipment for any defects. They need to ensure proper connections so that equipment failure or accidents can be prevented.
