A Closer Look At Rigger Qualifications And Experience
When it comes to cranes, it is just as essential to have the right people operating the machinery as it is to have the right crane for the job. Cranes remain the most costly and deadly hazards on any construction site. If you are looking to rent or own a crane, you want to have qualified personnel on your crew to operate the machine.
When any crane is in operation, the following roles should be covered by a qualified person:
- Crane Operator
- Signaler
- Riggers
We have discussed operators and signalers in recent articles, so today, let’s take a look at riggers, what their primary role is, and what sort of qualifications are required.
The Role Of Riggers In Crane Operations
Just as the name implies, riggers are specialists in rigging and loading. They determine the best equipment for safely performing lifts based on mass, size, and center of gravity and ensure that materials are properly secured.
Key duties for riggers before, during, and after a lift include:
- Inspecting lifting gear before and after lifts for damage
- Identifying hazards for each lift and utilizing proper risk mitigation strategies
- Set up, use, and dismantle rigging equipment
- Estimation of load weight and determining if it is within safety tolerances
- Ensuring overall load security and stability during the lift
Just like operators and signalers, riggers should be skilled in hand signals.
These workers have experience in all aspects of basic rigging but can often specialize in certain types of lifts. Advanced rigging work involves working with multiple machines, mechanical loading techniques, installation and removal of cranes and hoists, as well as demolition activities.
Qualifications For Crane Riggers
OSHA requires that employers use a qualified rigger during hoists and when individuals are present within the lift's fall zone. To be classified as a qualified rigger, a person must have the following credentials and/or experience:
- Have a recognized degree, certification, or other such professional standing
- OR have extensive knowledge, hands-on training, and experience
- AND the ability to competently demonstrate the ability to solve problems related to rigging
These statements of qualification are not universal, and they must be verified per job and rigging requirements to determine if a person is suitably experienced to be called qualified. General certifications do help, but they do not substitute for practical knowledge.
When it comes to the safety and efficiency of lifts, riggers will be your go-to expert. They determine the best equipment for safely performing lifts based on mass, size, and center of gravity and ensure that materials are properly secured.
Certifications Available For Riggers
There is no national certification required for riggers. However, many of the same organizations that offer training and certification for operators also do so for riggers.
If you are looking to hire a rigger or looking at different crane rental companies, make sure to ask about any certifications the rigging crew has. A few certifications that you can be on the lookout for include:
- NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators): offers a Rigger 1 certification
- Safety by Design: offers Certified Rigging and Signalman Training
- American Crane & Safety: offers a variety of rigger training courses
This list is not exhaustive. Certifications of these types generally include adherence to some code of ethics and substance abuse policy. As well as ensuring the individual learned and passed a practical and written examination on crane rigging concepts from pre-use inspections of equipment, to hitches and connections.
Crane Rental With Qualified Crew
If you have never rented a crane before or are looking for a new rental company to partner with, Parker's Crane provides quality crane rental, rigging, and heavy hauling services throughout the Carolinas and the East Coast. We pride ourselves on safety and our Zero Accident Philosophy and conduct many detailed safety measures when performing a job to ensure that no project carries unnecessary risk.
We will work with you on the project from pre-planning on-site assessments through the project's conclusion. You aren't just getting equipment when renting a crane through us. We provide the following benefits and services to our customers.
- Site hazard analysis and daily risk assessments
- A well-maintained fleet with transportation to the site
- All of our operators, riggers, and signal persons are OSHA-qualified personnel
- 24/7 Emergency service
Whether you only need us for a few hours or a month, contact us today to discuss your construction project. We provide free on-site quotes, and our dedicated team stands ready to help provide you with any assistance in selecting the crane and crew for your job.