rigging (material handling)
{{short description|Equipment and procedure in material handling}}
{{other uses|Rigging (disambiguation)}}
Rigging is both a noun, the equipment, and verb, the action of designing and installing the equipment, in the preparation to move objects. A team of riggers design and install the lifting or rolling equipment needed to 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 the equipment such as wire rope, turnbuckles, clevis, jacks used with cranes and other lifting equipmentVincoli, "Rigging". Jeffrey W.. Lewis' dictionary of occupational and environmental safety and health. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers, 2000. Print. in material handling and structure relocation. Rigging systems commonly include shackles, master links and slings, and lifting bags in underwater lifting.
In the United States the [https://www.osha.gov/ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)] regulates workplace safety including rigging in CFR 1926.251.Reese, Charles D.. Annotated dictionary of construction safety and health. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers, 2000. Print.
The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the matters in the United Kingdom.
Equipment
- {{annotated link|Block (sailing)}}
- {{annotated link|Cargo net}}
- {{annotated link|Cargo strap}}
- {{annotated link|Chain}}
- {{annotated link|Chain hoist}}
- {{annotated link|Chain stopper}}
- {{annotated link|Come-along}}
- {{annotated link|Crane (machine)}}
- {{annotated link|Crawler (rigging)}}
- {{annotated link|Hook}}
- {{annotated link|Hoist (device)}}
- {{annotated link|Jack (device)}}
- {{annotated link|Knot}}
- {{annotated link|Lever}}
- {{annotated link|Lifting bag}}
- {{annotated link|Lifting beam}}
- {{annotated link|Link (chain)}}
- {{annotated link|Pry bar}}
- {{annotated link|Rope}}
- {{annotated link|Shackle}}
- {{annotated link|Sheave}}
- {{annotated link|Sheer legs}}
- {{annotated link|Sling (rigging)}}
- {{annotated link|Rope splicing}}
- {{annotated link|Block and tackle|Tackle}}
- {{annotated link|Tirfor}}
- {{annotated link|Tugger (rigging)}}
- {{annotated link|Turnbuckle}}
- {{annotated link|Turning block}}
- {{annotated link|Wire rope}}
- Winch
{{expand section|date=March 2022}}
Procedures
In order to rig, there are several standard steps that should be followed, in order to ensure safety and efficiency in the rigging process:
Planning - First, one must determine the mass, dimensions and center of gravity of the load being rigged. Based off this information, and the environment the load is present in, one must then determine the appropriate lifting gear needed to move the load.
Inspection - Check slings, hooks, shackles, and lifting appliances for wear, damage, or expiry of certification.
Setting Up Rigging – Rig lifting gear properly to load anchor points utilizing proper rigging methods such as vertical, basket, or choker hitches.
Communication – Notify all the members present on hand signals or radio communication before initiating the lift.
Conducting the Lift – Execute the lift slowly and gradually while balancing and stabilizing. Use taglines in the control of load movement.
Post-lift Inspection – Lower the load safely, remove rigging, and check gear prior to storage. {{Cite web |date=2022-01-03 |title=Experimental Characterization of a Dual-Slot Coandă Actuator for Load Reduction |url=https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-0688.vid |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=doi.org}}
Safety
Safety should be a top priority whilst rigging, as extremely heavy loads are usually involved, and handling heavy material has its hazards. Dropped loads, equipment failure, and pinch trauma are all potential risks present when rigging. Usual safety measures include:
Training and Certification – Only trained riggers and signalmen should carry out or supervise rigging operations.
PPE Usage – People who are rigging should wear hard hats, gloves, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility vests.
Load Limits – Never exceed the Working Load Limit (WLL) of rigging equipment.
Load Path Awareness – Never stand under a suspended load.
Weather Considerations – Never rig in windy or low-visibility weather conditions.
Taglines – Use taglines to prevent uncontrolled load swinging.{{Cite web |last=ELT |first=Team |title=Rigging Safety: 7 Rules for Safe and Successful Rigging {{!}} ELT Engineered Lifting Technologies |url=https://www.eltlift.com/rules-for-safe-and-successful-rigging/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |language=en-US}}
Gallery
File:A Humvee is rigged at the Heavy Drop Rigging Facility near Pope Field on Fort Bragg, N.C., June 7, 2012 120607-A-FC254-001.jpg|A Humvee is rigged for being airdropped at the Heavy Drop Rigging Facility near Pope Field at Fort Bragg, N.C.
File:The Royal Danish Navy submarine Her Danish Majesty's Ship HDMS Saelen is lifted aboard the German contract vessel Grietje -c.jpg|The rigging is the two frameworks, spreaders, wire ropes and related fittings used by the crane to pick up this submarine.
File:Blade Dragon, Installing a single blade, Liftra.jpg|An advanced rigging challenge assembling a wind turbine.
File:Kölner Dom - Abbau südöstliches Gerüst Nordturm-2933.jpg|An adjustable spreader bar with webbing slings.
See also
- {{annotated link|Entertainment rigging}}
- {{annotated link|Boat rigging}}
- {{annotated link|Parachute rigger}}
- {{annotated link|High lead logging}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WMRFfF8Ot8 3.5 minute video on some basic cable rigging safety]
- [https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10686 OSHA 1926.251 Rigging equipment for material handling]
- [https://www.keblestrading.com.au/blog/what-is-rigging-equipment what is rigging equipment]