Rigging is one of the most high-risk tasks on any construction site. Loads shift, gear wears down, angles get ignored, and one mistake can put workers, equipment, and your company at serious risk.
As OSHA often reminds contractors: every lift must be planned and executed by competent, trained people using the right equipment and techniques.
Here are 7 simple rules that keep your crew safe.
If your team lifts, moves, or signals loads, they need proper rigging training.
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Before any lift, check every piece of rigging equipment, including:
slings (synthetic, wire rope, or chain)
hooks
shackles
master links
hardware and attachment points
Look for cuts, stretching, kinks, birdcaging, rust, deformation, heat damage, or missing tags.
If gear looks off → tag it out immediately.
Damaged equipment is one of the leading causes of rigging failures.
Rigging should never be improvised.
Before the lift begins:
confirm the load weight
find the center of gravity
choose the correct sling type
identify hazards (power lines, pinch points, wind, ground conditions)
review the lift path
confirm communication (hand signals, radios)
A quick pre-lift plan prevents surprises and keeps everyone aligned.
Many rigging failures happen due to incorrect rigging setup — especially sling angle issues.
Low angles increase the force on each sling leg.
For example:
| Sling Angle | Load on Each Sling Leg |
|---|---|
| 60° | ~115% of the load |
| 45° | ~141% of the load |
| 30° | ~200% of the load |
This means a 1,000 lb load at 30° can put 2,000 lbs of tension on each sling.
Workers also need to understand:
how to choose the right hitch type (vertical, basket, choker)
when to use softeners
how to protect slings from edges
how to balance the load properly
Technique matters as much as the equipment.
Rigging is not an “on-the-job guessing” task.
Workers must be trained to:
identify rigging hazards
read tags and WLL ratings
understand sling angles and tension
choose the right hardware
calculate safe loads
communicate effectively with crane operators
Training dramatically reduces accidents and ensures workers know what “safe” actually looks like.
All rigging activities must comply with:
OSHA 1910.184 – Slings
OSHA 1926 Subpart H – Material Handling
ASME B30.9 – Slings
ASME B30.26 – Rigging Hardware
ASME B30.5 – Mobile Cranes
These standards outline:
equipment requirements
inspection criteria
removal-from-service rules
training expectations
Compliance keeps workers safe and helps avoid citations, stop-work orders, and project delays.
Proper PPE helps protect workers from the most common rigging hazards.
Recommended PPE includes:
hard hats
safety glasses
cut-resistant gloves
steel-toe boots
high-visibility clothing
fall protection when required
PPE doesn’t replace rigging training; it supports it.
Rigging is active, not static.
Throughout the lift, someone qualified must watch:
tension on the slings
load balance and rotation
sling placement and shifting
communication between riggers and operators
environmental changes (wind, visibility, stability)
If something doesn’t look right → stop the lift immediately.
A safe stop is always better than a risky move.
If your workers are involved in rigging, signalperson duties, or crane lifts, proper training is essential.
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✔ Crane & Rigging Certification
✔ 25% off courses with a Business Account
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Rigging is the process of lifting, securing, and moving loads using cranes, hoists, and rigging hardware.
Improper rigging can lead to dropped loads, equipment failures, and serious injuries.
equipment failure
incorrect sling angles
shock loading
miscommunication
unbalanced loads
Employers must provide safe equipment and training.
Workers must follow proper procedures.
Typically: hard hats, gloves, eye protection, steel-toe boots, and hi-vis clothing.
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