5 Sayings of Every Journeyman Rigger

 

 

1) "Always rig to the Center of Gravity"

The CG is the point about which the load's weight is concentrated. It is the balance point of the load in all axes. To "rig to the CG" that all slings (rigging) meets at the crane hook, over the CG. The load should fly basically level.

2) "Never saddle a dead horse"

This statement refers to properly applying wire rope clip when forming an eye. Turn the wire rope dead-end and apply the U-bolt to the dead-end of the rope and the clip to the "live" end. The U-bolt, as it is tightened down often will crush the wire rope, and a good rigger wants that crushing to be on the dead end.

3) "Stay out of pinch points"

When a load is suspended in the air many factors can cause it to move one way or another (e.g. crane operator, not rigging to the CG, wind, or boom deflection.) The point is, the rigger and other personnel nearby should never be between the suspended load.

4) "Synthetic slings in your right hand, sling protection in your left"

Many riggers have been moving away from heavy alloy chain and wire rope slings to lighter synthetic web and roundslings. The one thing a rigger needs to remember is sling protection.

5) "Never shock load"

Shock load is the force applied by the sudden release of a load or by a load falling. A 4-inch free fall can triple the weight on the load—possibly dropping the load and permanently damaging the rigging.