rigging company

Rigging is a common process on job sites, but it can be dangerous if not done correctly. To help you out, here are basic rules meant to assist you in preventing hazards during your next rigging assignment:

Work with the right weight load

The first stage in the safe rigging process is to determine the weight of the load that you will be rigging and raising. Knowing the weight of the load is essential for comparing it to the rated capacities of the lifting and rigging equipment you’re using.

In some circumstances, it may be clear that the load is insufficient to surpass equipment capacity. Other times, it may be unclear if the load can be raised safely.

In these instances, you will need to determine the weight of the load and compare it to the rated capacities of the lifting or rigging equipment.

Thankfully, product features, including weight, are often provided or can be obtained from the manufacturer or supplier. Certain products may require you to perform simple calculations to ascertain their weight.

You shouldn’t just start the rigging without knowing the maximum weight you can lift. If you can’t find the information on the equipment, get in touch with the rigging services providers that rent you the equipment.

Use the right hitch

There are three primary types of hitches you can use when rigging: vertical, choker, and basket. Selecting the appropriate hitch to sustain the load is an important aspect of safe rigging. For example, a single choker hitch cannot entirely hold a stack of unfastened pipes.

When the lift starts, the sling tightens around the sides and bottom of the stack but remains slack on top, allowing pipes on top of the stack to fall.

A 2-sling double-wrap choker hitch or a 2-sling double-wrap basket hitch would be a much safer option because it would snugly secure all of the pipe during lifting.

The type of hitch you go with will depend on the load that you are lifting. As a rule of thumb, do background checks to determine that you are using the right hitch for your load and weight.

Again, if you aren’t sure about the right one to go with, get the input of a professional.

Choose the right sling.

When deciding on the best sling type for your load, there are several aspects to consider. Will the sling hold the load securely and steadily?

Is the sling compatible with the rigging hardware and hitch you’ve chosen? Is the sling fitting’s rated capacity sufficient to support the load?

Slings come in a variety of styles, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, as well as rated capacities. Some of the most commonly utilized types are synthetic web slings, synthetic round slings, wire rope slings, and steel chain slings.

Understanding which sling is ideal for your load type will go a long way towards ensuring top-notch rigging safety. Do your research and find the right one.

Use the right hardware.

Choosing the appropriate hardware for each rigging application is just as critical as selecting the right hitches and slings. There are several types of hardware, but some, such as hooks, shackles, and eyebolts, require the right choice.

That’s because these are rated for in-line loading. However, keep in mind that the rated capacity varies depending on the angle.

When choosing gear for a certain rigging application, ask yourself: Could this hardware damage the equipment being lifted?

Is this hardware compatible with the sling? Is this hardware sturdy enough to do the job safely and lift the load securely?

As a rule of thumb, always use the right hardware for the load that you are looking to lift.

Pay attention to detail.

There are several measures that you must put into place prior to and during a lift to guarantee that the process proceeds safely and successfully.

Some of these measures include:

Use taglines to prevent the load from swinging out of control during the lift. To handle the load securely, use as many taglines and experienced tagline operators as necessary.

Check for obstacles in the path of a moving cargo. Consider where the load needs to be transported in relation to where it is being lifted, and look for any obstacles that could impede the moving weight. If you detect a potential blockage, speak with your operator to ensure they are aware of it and have chosen a safe path for the cargo to follow.

Clear the area of workers who are not associated with the lift. Set up a signal for workers in the area so they know when the lift is about to happen.

Make sure they understand that they must stay away from the lift location and path of travel until the lift is complete.

Start communicating with your operator. Make sure the rigger and operator can communicate and are comfortable using the same verbal and physical gestures in case important information needs to be transmitted quickly during the lift.

Test the load. After you’ve secured the area and done the necessary rigging, instruct your operator to slowly elevate the load a few inches at a time.

During this test, you can see how the rigging equipment is operating and whether it is properly positioned in the load’s center of gravity. If you see any problems or are doubtful if the weight can be safely lifted, instruct the operator to lower the load and re-rig it before trying again.

Parting shot

These are some of the measures you can take to reduce the chances of hazards in your next rigging project.

When doing all of this, also remember to rent the right rigging equipment. For example, when you are in the crane rental services VA, rent a crane that is large enough for the load you are looking to lift.

You should also ensure that the equipment is properly maintained. As a rule of thumb, always ask for the maintenance records before deciding whether to rent it.

In the world of construction, the tools and materials required to complete the job are frequently too large or bulky to carry by hand. As a result, if you need something moved from point A to point B, a crane will usually be your first port of call.

Besides hiring a properly maintained crane from crane services, the other thing you should do is to ensure that you properly rig the load. To help you out, here are tips on how to go about it.

Be cautious of the weight.

The first thing to think about before trying a lift is the weight of the load. Equipment should be labeled with their weight. If no such marking is visible, contact the manufacturer.

When lifting building materials, make sure to account for both the number and weight of the units being transported. The weight of the load will determine the type of sling you will use during the lift.

Lookout for the sling

Make sure your sling is up to the task. This includes choosing a sling that is appropriate for the load. Fabric slings made of nylon and polyester are easy to handle, but user-friendliness should not come at the expense of safety.

Keep in mind that knots and cuts considerably weaken fabric slings, making them more susceptible to heat and friction than their metallic counterparts. Wire or chain slings are often the best solution for carrying big or abrasive goods.

Before you do any lifting, always double-check the sling and ensure that it’s in perfect shape. The last thing you should do is to use a sling that is in the blink of getting damaged, and you put your machine and the people working on the site at risk of getting hurt.

Hitch the load correctly.

Take the time to ensure that your sling is attached to the most appropriate section of the load. Never hitch to sections like guard rails that may come free during the lift.

Always tie the sling to the most secure component of the load to reduce the possibility of detachment or yielding during transit.

Loose hooks and slings are a major cause of load slippage and crane overturns. If a load is not correctly secured and reinforced to the jib and hook, it may become disconnected in the middle. These mishaps are extremely dangerous, particularly if they occur in the air.

Hitch the weight while ensuring that the hooks are tight, properly positioned, and exactly between the center of gravity.

Before you start the lifting, always double-check and confirm that everything is in perfect working order.

The right hitch lifts the load without tilting, spinning, or slipping. The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) recommends that you use these types of hitches:

Vertical hitch: The weight hangs straight from the crane via a vertical sling. A bridle hitch is a variation on this in which the weight is held by many slings at different angles rather than just one vertical sling.

Choker hitch: The sling rotates around the load, one end attached to the sling and the other to the crane.

Basket hitch: The sling surrounds the weight with this hitch, but both ends are attached to the crane hook.

You should note that even little damage affects a sling’s loading capability, so before you use it, you should thoroughly inspect it along its length. Inspect it for welding marks, deformations, cracks, and other signs of damage. If you notice any problem, don’t use the sling.

Have good communication

If a load is properly fixed, the possibilities of injury during the lift are reduced. Those operating on the ground, however, must still take responsibility for their own and their colleagues’ safety.

With this in mind, clear communication is essential. There should be a designated signaler who communicates with both the crane operator and his or her ground crew. Furthermore, each member of the rigging team should be free of pinch points and any load sway before the signaler gives the crane operator the go-ahead. Obviously, never stray beneath a loaded truck.

Be cautious during the lowering.

Before the operator begins lowering the load, make sure your surroundings are capable of supporting the burden.

If you need to steer the weight, use a tagline; if you’re walking with it, keep it near the ground. Remove all surrounding items and keep your feet clear. Stay on your toes and avoid getting stuck between the load and a stationary object.

Never leave a suspended load unattended.

Even with suitable rigging and a sufficiently large crane, leaving a hanging load unattended poses various concerns. For example, the weather can change fast, and a strong blast of wind might have a significant impact on hanging cargo. In this scenario, the entire crane may become unstable and collapse.

To avoid this, you should never have an unattended load hanging on your crane. You should always put the load down before you do anything.

In many cases, you will have a suspended load when the site isn’t ready. As you can tell, this is often due to poor preparation. Before you even lift the load, you should know where you will place it. The last thing you should do is to lift the load and then start thinking about where to place it.

Use a quality crane.

It goes that you should use a quality crane to do the lifting. When you are hiring the machine, always do a double check and confirm that its properly maintained and in perfect working condition.

This calls for you to ask for the maintenance records. If the crane rental services VA provider is dodgy on the maintenance of the crane, you should stay away from it.

Even when you get the crane, don’t just start working. Inspect it and confirm that it’s working optimally. A good way to go about it is to inspect the crane before you do any lifting.

As a rule of thumb, always ensure that the crane operator you hire is experienced and knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is the operator causing problems that aren’t supposed to be there.

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Tricks to Help You Prevent Hazards During Your Next Rigging Assignment