Rigging (material handling)
Rigging is both a noun (equipment), and verb, (the action of designing and installing the equipment), in preparation to move objects. A team of riggers design and install the equipment needed to position (raise, roll, slide or lift) objects such as heavy machinery, structural components, building materials, or large-scale fixtures with a crane, hoist or block and tackle.
Rigging comes from rig, to set up or prepare. Rigging is equipment such as wire rope, turnbuckles, clevis, jacks used with cranes and other lifting equipment[1] in material handling and structure relocation. Rigging systems commonly include shackles, master links and slings, and lifting bags (for underwater lifting).
In the United States the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety including rigging in CFR 1926.251.[2]
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for these matters in the United Kingdom.
Applications
[edit]In manufacturing and construction, rigging includes precision relocation of industrial equipment within active facilities. Common techniques involve the use of hydraulic toe jacks, low-profile machinery skates, and portable gantry systems for moving loads in confined spaces where cranes cannot operate. Rigging contractors coordinate with millwrights and safety inspectors to ensure compliance with occupational safety codes. Training standards, such as the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association's Hoisting and Rigging Safety Manual (Canada), emphasize hazard assessments, proper sling angles, and equipment inspections before every lift.[3]
Equipment
[edit]Rigging-related equipment includes:
Procedures
[edit]In order to rig, standard steps are followed, to ensure safety and efficiency:
Planning
[edit]First, determine the mass, dimensions and center of gravity of the load. This information and the load environment determine the needed lifting gear.
Inspection
[edit]The rigger checks slings, hooks, shackles, and lifting appliances for wear, damage, or expiry of certification.
Rigging
[edit]Rig lifting gear properly loads anchor points utilizing proper rigging methods such as vertical, basket, or choker hitches.
Communication
[edit]All members present are notified via hand signals or radio communication before initiating the lift.
Lift
[edit]The load is lifted slowly and gradually while balancing and stabilizing. Taglines control load movement.
Inspection
[edit]Once the load is in place, the rigging gets removed, and gear is checked prior to storage.[4]
Safety
[edit]Safety is a top priority whilst rigging, given the typically heavy loads. Dropped loads, equipment failure, and pinch trauma are all potential risks. Safety measures include:
- Training and certification – Only trained riggers and signalmen carry out or supervise rigging operations.
- PPE – Riggers wear hard hats, gloves, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility vests.
- Load limits – Working load limit (WLL) are strictly observed.
- Load path awareness – People must be separate from suspended loads.
- Weather considerations – Windy, low-visibility weather conditions increase hazards.
- Taglines – Taglines prevent excessive load swinging.[4][5]
Gallery
[edit]-
A Humvee is rigged for being airdropped at the Heavy Drop Rigging Facility near Pope Field at Fort Bragg, N.C. -
The rigging is the two frameworks, spreaders, wire ropes and related fittings used by the crane to pick up this submarine. -
An advanced rigging challenge assembling a wind turbine. -
An adjustable spreader bar with webbing slings.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Vincoli, Jeffrey W. (2000). "Rigging". Lewis' Dictionary of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers. ISBN 9781566703994.
- ^ Reese, Charles D. (2000). Annotated Dictionary of Construction Safety and Health. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.[page needed]
- ^ "Guide To Machinery Moving | 6 Expert Recommendations". SolidHook. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
- ^ a b "Experimental Characterization of a Dual-Slot Coandă Actuator for Load Reduction". doi.org. 2022-01-03. doi:10.2514/6.2022-0688.vid (inactive 21 July 2025). Retrieved 2025-05-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link) - ^ "Rigging Safety: 7 Rules for Safe and Successful Rigging | ELT Engineered Lifting Technologies". ELT. Retrieved 2025-05-23.