Rigging and Rigging Equipment in several places, but most often work on construction sites or anywhere where heavy loads must be moved. It’s a technical profession that requires patience and precision, as any mistakes could lead to damage or even injury. If you’re interested in becoming a rigger, though, it’s a rewarding profession, and you’ll rarely struggle to find work.
A rigger’s primary duties are to ensure that the mechanical device used to lift heavy loads on a site is safe and ready to be moved. Riggers need a thorough knowledge of the equipment, and several different apparatuses are used to hoist loads depending on their size and shape. You’ll need to couple this knowledge of the equipment with the ability to be thorough and precise so that all loads are attached efficiently, avoid any issues, and keep the job running on time.
Several regulations need to be met on sites where large objects are being moved, and all staff members must comply with local and industry standards. At the start of any job, a rigger will be expected to check all equipment meets these standards, and that the operation will be performed correctly. If any issues are found, such as equipment malfunctioning, or risks are possible, you must report them quickly and take steps to bring the equipment back to the necessary standards.
Table of Contents
What do riggers do?
All construction and industrial sites will have at least and often a whole team of riggers, depending on the job’s size. A rigger’s job is to estimate the weight and size of objects being moved, and then choose the most appropriate equipment to secure them efficiently and safely. A combination of ropes, pulleys, cables, and winches are used to secure a load, which can then be moved by a crane to another part of the site. Many objects that need to be moved are awkward or delicate, so they need to be secured to prevent them from breaking apart or causing damage as they are being moved. The objects that need to be carried on a construction site are often expensive, and any that break will need to be replaced, making the rigger’s job very important to manage the costs of a project. Riggers are also responsible for maintaining the rigging equipment and maintaining it or repairing it if necessary. If any rigging equipment does malfunction, this could cause severe damage or even harm, which is another essential part of the role.
Why is rigging equipment so necessary?
A rigger’s equipment makes their job possible and is used to secure the loads to be moved on a construction site. Many loads are awkward and need to be moved from tight places, meaning that the correct equipment needs to be used for the job at hand. Rigging manufacturing companies like Tway Lifting specialize in creating rigging equipment that can handle these complex objects. The components they offer are designed not to buckle or collapse when under strain. When selecting rigging equipment, it’s essential to choose parts that meet industry standards and have a strong track record working under the conditions you’re working in.
How do you choose your rigging equipment and components?
Without the right equipment, you may put an entire construction job at risk, so choosing the correct components is essential. Without the proper equipment, you may not be able to secure loads correctly, putting those around you and the objects that are being moved at risk. There are several key types of rigging equipment you may need to acquire for your job.
Rigging hooks
These are used when heavy equipment needs to be moved. Rigging hooks are designed to minimize the possibility of slipping and are usually made from steel. There are many different sizes available, depending on the size of the object that needs to be moved. Sizes start at 5/8 of an inch and go up to 1 17/32 inches.
Blocks and pulleys
Lifting blocks and pulleys are used to minimize how much force is needed when moving heavy objects. There are several types of lifting blocks, ranging from swivel blocks, snatch blocks, and tilt-up blocks depending on the job. They come in several sizes, with the largest capable of lifting loads up to 30 tons. Pulleys come in single and double variations and come in either wire ropes, used with lifting blocks, and synthetic rope is used for pulleys.
Eyebolts
Cables are looped around eye bolts when lifting heavy objects, and they are used as the anchor point. They come in several different materials and sizes depending on the load that needs to be loaded, and the most common types are shoulder eye bolts and straight eye bolts. Shoulder eye bolts are used for connections on an angle, and straight eye bolts are used when the load will only move in a straight line.
Steel nuts
Eye bolts always come with a stainless-steel nut that’s used to secure the bolt in place. The size will vary depending on the size of the load and the bolt being used, with dome nuts, hex nuts, ball ends, and wing nuts being the most used.
Wire ropes
Another essential piece of equipment, wire ropes are made from many strands of stainless steel or carbon steel wires woven together in a helix pattern. They are sometimes coated to give them added protection from the elements and rust, and come in several sizes depending on the application.
How do you maintain rigging equipment?
Once you have your equipment, maintaining and repairing it is vital to maximizing its longevity. You’ll commonly be working in harsh conditions, and rigging equipment is significant about use, which will cause stress over time. Before every job, all equipment should be checked for potential issues, and if the rigger has any concerns, the equipment must be fixed or replaced before the lift goes ahead. Hairline fractures in hooks or wire rope that looks frayed are a clear warning sign, and if force goes through damaged equipment, it’s likely to fail.