Rigging is a critical aspect of crane operations. Most people who rent cranes often overlook the services of riggers only to realise that the operator cannot hoist and lower loads by themselves. Below is an article on crane rigging and why you need riggers at your site.
Who Are Crane Riggers?
Crane riggers are personnel who help the crane operator safely hoist or lower loads at the site. Typically, the professionals assess the site and develop safety procedures to prevent accidents and ensure efficiency at the site. In Australia, riggers must have an operating licence and a high-risk work permit. Most rental companies have riggers on their payroll. Therefore, you do not need to outsource the service as you rent a crane. You are at an advantage if the rigger and crane operator deployed to your site have a prior working relationship. This way, they have an easy time communicating.
What is the Work of Crane Riggers?
The crane rigger is the operator's eyes on the ground. Therefore, their work comprises all activities that the operator cannot conduct while operating the crane. Before renting the crane, the crane hire company deploys riggers to establish a suitable crane. Then, the riggers determine an appropriate location to set up the crane. Typically, the riggers consider the crane's swing angle, the presence of overhead risks, soil stability, wind conditions, and the location of nearby buildings when deciding where to set up the crane.
The riggers' next task is to enforce safety at the site. For instance, they install safety signage and inform the employees what they should expect when the crane starts moving. Moreover, they ask employees to avoid dangerous behaviours that could cause accidents at the site. For instance, a mischievous employee might want to ride on the crane's hook. On the other hand, others will move around the site irrespective of whether they are in the crane's swing angle or blindspots. Finally, the riggers inspect the crane to ensure it is in excellent condition.
In collaboration with the operator, riggers determine how to lift and lower the loads. For instance, they set up spreader beams to stabilise the loads during hoisting. Besides, they check the wind speeds and weight of the load to establish the need for tag lines. The riggers also assess the loads to determine a suitable method of hitching. For instance, they could opt for basket, choker, or vertical hitching. They also conduct assessments to ensure the swing angle does not affect the crane's efficiency and stability.
For more information on rigging services, contact a professional near you.
Hi all! My name's Ed, and welcome to my blog. Like many children, my son loved construction vehicles when he was young. However, although he grew out of the toy trucks, he never grew out of his interest in construction. When, at 18, he announced that he was going to be attending a heavy vehicle driving course and applying for jobs in the field, I decided to see what all the fuss was about myself. As it turns out, the world of construction equipment really is interesting! Since I started looking into it, my son and I have bonded over many conversations about bulldozers and excavators. Now I'm sharing some of the things we've talked about here.