What is Rigging? A Comprehensive Guide to Industrial Rigging

In this section, we will explore different rigging techniques commonly used in the industry.  Each technique has its own advantages and is used in different situations to ensure a successful and safe rigging operation.

Crane rigging: Versatile and Precision Rigging for Heavy Load Lifting and Transportation

Crane rigging is a versatile and essential technique employed in various scenarios to lift and transport heavy loads with precision and efficiency. The crane, equipped with an array of specialized components, including cables, hooks, shackles, slings, and counterweights to balance large loads, plays a crucial role in securely fastening the load and facilitating its smooth movement to the desired location.  This technique proves particularly valuable when handling rooftop units or large machinery that necessitates overhead picking. Whether it's the installation of air handling units atop high-rise buildings or the relocation of massive industrial equipment, crane rigging ensures the seamless execution of these tasks, minimizing the risk of damage and optimizing operational productivity.

Maintaining Control and Safety: The Significance of Tailing in Heavy Load Operations

When it comes to lifting or lowering heavy loads, tailing plays a crucial role in maintaining control and preventing potentially hazardous situations. By utilizing a tagline, a secondary line attached to the load, riggers can effectively manage the load's movement and minimize the risk of swinging or spinning. This practice is especially essential in crane operations, where the tagline is typically secured to the unit being lifted to ensure consistent control throughout the process. With tailing, riggers can confidently navigate the challenges of load handling, ensuring the safety of both personnel and the surrounding environment.

Chain Hoisting: Effortlessly Lift and Maneuver Heavy Loads in Restricted Spaces

In situations where a crane is not a viable option due to space limitations, the technique of chain hoisting becomes a game-changer. This versatile method involves the use of a chain hoist, which is attached to the load and lifted using a robust chain or cable system. Whether it's a tight corner of a factory floor or a confined construction site, chain hoisting excels at navigating such constrained areas with ease. This makes it an invaluable solution for picking up and setting heavy machinery, facilitating machine moves, and ensuring seamless installations. With the flexibility and precision offered by chain hoisting, even the most challenging lifting tasks can be accomplished efficiently and securely.

Wire Rope Rigging: Securely Lift and Transport Heavy Loads with Ease

When it comes to handling substantial weights, wire rope rigging proves to be an indispensable technique. This method utilizes strong and durable wire ropes that are meticulously fastened to the load, allowing for safe and efficient lifting and movement. Whether it's the loading and unloading of equipment onto trucks or the relocation of hefty objects that surpass the capacity of traditional slings, wire rope rigging gets the job done with precision. By employing a crane or other specialized lifting equipment, the wire ropes enable controlled and reliable hoisting, ensuring the utmost safety and stability throughout the operation. From construction sites to industrial facilities, wire rope rigging stands as a reliable solution for tackling heavy-duty lifting challenges with confidence.

Versatile and Reliable: Harnessing the Power of Sling Rigging for Efficient Load Lifting

Slings are wrapped around the load and then lifted using a crane or other lifting equipment. Typically, nylon slings are used to choke, basket, or pick vertically for any equipment that’s needed to be picked in the air, or it can be used to pick equipment that is awkward and has no flat surfaces to be picked with a forklift.

Jacking and Rolling: Efficient and Secure Load Handling Solutions

This method involves utilizing hydraulic or mechanical jacks to lift heavy loads off the ground or lower them into position with precision. Once lifted, the load is placed on machine skates, allowing for smooth and controlled movement to the desired location.

Unlike forklifts or other large handling equipment, machine skates offer superior maneuverability in confined spaces. They are equipped with low-friction rollers or wheels that allow precise movement in any direction, making it easier to navigate around obstacles and tight corners.

Machine skates provide excellent control over the movement of heavy machinery. Operators can maintain a steady pace, adjust direction easily, and ensure gradual and controlled movement throughout the process. This minimizes the risk of accidents, ensuring the safety of both personnel and equipment.

Secure Connections: Shackling for Safe and Reliable Load Handling

Shackling involves the use of specially designed shackles that are attached to the load, providing a strong and durable link between the rigging equipment and the lifted object. Shackles are engineered to withstand the immense weight of the load, making them essential components in various lifting operations. Whether it's construction projects, industrial installations, or transportation of heavy machinery, shackles provide a crucial point of connection that enables safe and controlled lifting.

Shackles are predominantly used in conjunction with crane work due to their strength and reliability. However, they are also utilized in any overhead picking scenario involving slings. By attaching the shackles directly to the piece being lifted, operators can effectively distribute the load's weight and minimize the risk of slippage or detachment.

Shackles are designed to withstand harsh working conditions, including extreme temperatures, corrosive environments, and heavy-duty applications. Their robust construction and material composition make them resistant to wear, ensuring long-lasting performance even in demanding industrial settings.

Efficient Load Support: Unlocking the Power of Lifting Beams for Safe and Stable Lifting Operations

Lifting beams are ingeniously designed to bear the weight of the load and evenly distribute it along the beam's length. This not only helps in maintaining the structural integrity of the load but also prevents any excessive stress on specific points that could lead to potential damage or deformation. With their robust construction, lifting beams are capable of withstanding significant loads, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.

The versatility of lifting beams is a significant advantage. They can be positioned both over and under the machinery or load being moved, allowing for flexibility in different lifting scenarios. When used overhead, the lifting beam acts as a secure anchor point, providing stability and support to the load during the lift. On the other hand, when positioned underneath the load, the lifting beam ensures that the weight is evenly distributed, minimizing the risk of load imbalances and enhancing lifting safety.

By leveraging efficient load handling techniques, you can ensure the safe transport and delivery of your valuable equipment. Whether it's lifting, securing, transporting, or packaging heavy loads, utilizing reliable methods is key to maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing potential risks.

Safe Rigging Practices

As we previously mentioned, rigging is an extremely dangerous field and ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and the general public on a jobsite should always be the top priority.  Safe rigging practices are essential for minimizing risks and hazards associated with heavy equipment rigging.

Here are some tips that can help ensure safe rigging practices:

1. Properly train workers: Workers involved in rigging should be properly trained on safe rigging practices, including how to inspect equipment for damage, how to select the correct rigging equipment and techniques for the load being lifted, and how to work safely around the crane or other lifting equipment.
2. Conduct regular equipment inspections: Regular inspections of rigging equipment, including slings, chains, and shackles, can help identify any damage or defects that could compromise the safety of the rigging operation.
3. Follow load rating guidelines: The weight and dimensions of the load should be carefully considered, and the rigging equipment used should be rated to handle the load being lifted. Overloading equipment can lead to equipment failure or a load dropping.
4. Use the proper rigging equipment: The proper rigging equipment should be used for the load being lifted, such as wire ropes, synthetic slings, or chain slings. The rigging equipment should also be inspected to ensure it is in good condition and properly rated for the load being lifted.
5. Use tag lines: Tag lines, which are ropes attached to the load being lifted, can help control the movement of the load during lifting or positioning, reducing the risk of struck-by accidents.
6. Communicate effectively: Effective communication is crucial during rigging operations. All workers involved in the operation should understand their roles and responsibilities and communicate effectively with each other to ensure the load is lifted and positioned safely.
7. Properly position workers: Workers should be positioned away from the load and the crane's swing radius to reduce the risk of being struck by the load or the crane.
8. Perform a site assessment: Before starting a rigging operation, perform a site assessment to identify any hazards such as power lines, uneven ground, or other obstacles that could affect the safety of the operation.
9. Use proper PPE: Workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots, to protect against falling loads or other hazards.

By following these tips, employers and workers can help ensure safe rigging practices, reducing the risk of injuries or fatalities during heavy equipment rigging operations.