Crane Operator

Rigger Training
OVERVIEW
 Basic Types and Configurations
 Types of Rigging
 Rigging Inspection Procedures
 Rigging Techniques
 Hands-On Training
 Crane Pre-Op Inspection
The
Crane Operator is
Responsible for the Safety of the Lift.
Basic Types and Configurations
 The evolution of the mobile crane has led
to many types and designs. to satisfy both
the general as well as the specific needs
of construction and industrial operations
 Basic Types
The basic operational characteristics of all
mobile cranes are essentially the same.
They include:
1. Adjustable boom lengths
2. Adjustable boom angles
3. Ability to lift and lower loads
4. Ability to swing loads
5. Ability to travel about the jobsite under their
own power
Boom Trucks
Rigging Responsibility
The person authorized and qualified to do
rigging must always pay close attention to
details. One careless moment or act can
result in serious injury or death and
tremendous property damage. Proper
rigging is a skill and should never be left to
the inexperienced. If you don’t know how
to do it properly, then don’t attempt it.
Common Types of
Slings
Wire Rope Slings
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Inexpensive  Less durable
 Excellent strength to  Stiff around small
weight ratio objects
 Light weight  Kinks easily
 Easy to inspect  Shorter lifespan
 Known capacity
Alloy Chain Slings
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Heavy and bulky
 Highly durable
 Flexible  May damage load

 Adjustable  Difficult to inspect

 Compact storage
 Easy to

manufacture
Synthetic Webbing Slings
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Lightweight  Easily damaged by
 Very Flexible heat, abrasion,
 Easy to store environment,
 Will not damage load
chemicals, etc.
 Stretches under load
 Inexpensive
 Less durable under
heavy use
 Cuts easily under
load
Synthetic Rope Slings
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Lightweight  Easily damaged by
 Flexible heat, abrasion,
 Compact storage environment,
 Will not damage load chemicals, etc.
 Inexpensive  Stretches under
load
 Less durable under
heavy use
Metal Mesh Slings
 ADVANTAGES  DISADVANTAGES
 Lightweight  Limited application
 Flexible  Expensive
 Compact storage
 Limited durability
 Stabilizes load
 Durable
Sling Inspection
Wire Rope Sling Inspection
REMOVAL CRITERIA
INSPECT FOR:  Missing Sling ID
 Missing or Illegible ID Tag  10 randomly
 Distortion of the Rope distributed broken
 Kinking wires in one lay, or,
 Crushing  5 broken wires in one
 Unstranding strand in one rope lay
 Birdcaging  Severe abrasion
 Core Protrusion
 Evidence of heat
 Broken or Cut Strands
 Corrosion damage
 Strand Displacement  End attachment
 Loss of Diameter damage
 Broken Wires  Severe corrosion
 Hook damage
Alloy Chain Sling Inspection
REMOVAL CRITERIA
INSPECT FOR:  Missing Sling ID
 Missing or Illegible ID Tag  Weld spatter on any
 Weld Spatter link or attachment
 Cracked links  Bent, cracked or
 Crushed links crushed links
 Bent Links  Evidence of heat
 Gouges damage
 Evidence of heat damage
 Damaged
 Non approved attachments
 Excessive Corrosion attachments
 Severe abrasion  Severe corrosion
 Hook openings for stretch  Hook damage
 Excess wear on any part  Non approved
 Incorrect grade of chain
hardware
Synthetic Webbing Inspection
REMOVAL CRITERIA
INSPECT FOR:  Missing Sling ID
 Missing or Illegible ID Tag  Weld spatter on any
 Holes link or attachment
 Tears  Bent, cracked or
 Cuts crushed links
 Snags  Evidence of heat
 Visible inner core damage
 Broken or worn stitching
 Damaged
 Non approved attachments
 Acid or caustic burns attachments
 Oil or chemical soaking  Severe corrosion
 Knots  Hook damage
 Excess wear on any part or  Non approved
attachment hardware
 Dry rotting
Metal Mesh Sling Inspection
REMOVAL CRITERIA
INSPECT FOR:  Missing Sling ID
 Missing or Illegible ID Tag  Weld spatter on any
 Holes link or attachment
 Crushing  Bent, cracked or
 Cut links crushed links
 Corrosion  Evidence of heat
 Weld Spatter damage
 Non approved attachments
 Damaged
 Acid or caustic burns
 Excess wear on any part or attachments
attachment  Severe corrosion
 Missing links
 Non approved
hardware
 Shackle Inspection
INSPECT FOR: REMOVAL CRITERIA
 Bent pin
 Distortions  Distorted body
 Bends or Twists
 Worn threads
 Weld Spatter
 Shackle Opening Spread  Improper pin fit
 Peening  Any type of crack
 Pin Seating  Weld spatter
 Excessive Wear
 Loose or Missing Hardware  Excessive wear
 Cracks, Gouges or Nicks  Non-OEM hardware
 Thread Damage
 Non OEM Accessories
BASIC HITCHES
 IT’S THE LAW
Sling tags must display capacities in the 3 basic sling
configurations – NO TAG – NO GOOD
Vertical
Total weight carried by single leg

Angle is 90 degrees

Weight of load equal to sling capacity

Self-centering loads only

Pick point must be secure

Choker
Tightens as load is lifted

Reduces sling capacity

Does not provide 360 degree contact w/ load

Load balance is required (single choker)

Basket
True basket = 90 degree legs

Consider sling angles if not a true basket

Increases sling capacity x2

Consider D/d ratio

Load balance required

Best if used in pairs

Double Wrap Choker
Same as choker, but with an additional wrap

More secure than single choker

Helps prevent load slippage

Good for loose bundles

Sling must not wrap over itself

 Finding COG

 Manufacturer’s documentation
 Calculations/ measurements
 Test picks
 CENTER OF GRAVITY
AND LOAD STABILITY
CENTER OF GRAVITY
IS DIRECTLY BELOW
THE LOAD HOOK

CONNECTION TO
LOAD IS ABOVE
CENTER OF GRAVITY

(RRPCD44)
Center of Gravity
COG can be adjusted using
properly sized lever or
chainfall hoists.

Re-calculate sling angles

to ensure slings or hoist
are not overloaded
 HAND SIGNALS IN THE
WORKPLACE
Purpose
 The hand signals used in the operations of
mobile cranes are universal around the world.
 This form of communication is a vital part of safe
crane operations and the giving and receiving of
clear signals is a key requirement for any
competent crane operator. Hand signals should
only be given when visibility is good.
 HAND SIGNALS

EMERGENCY STOP
STOP (A) Indicated by holding both arms up.
Extend one arm and hold palm Arms extended, palm down, move hand
horizontal right and left. Usually different level
operations.
Specifically for high operations
 HAND SIGNALS

HOLD EVERYTHING HOIST

Hands clasped in front of body With forearm vertical, forefinger
pointing up, move hand in
horizontal circles.
 HAND SIGNALS

LOWER
LOWER BOOM RAISE LOAD
With arm extended downward,
One arm extended, fingers
forefinger pointing down, move
close and open, thumb pointing
arm in horizontal circles.
downward.
 HAND SIGNALS

RAISE BOOM & LOWER MOVE SLOWLY

LOAD Directional signal given with right
One arm extended, fingers hand using a pointing forefinger –
close and open, thumb pointing in conjunction with the other hand
upward. held flat across the pointing
forefinger.
 HAND SIGNALS

RAISE BOOM (LUFF UP) LOWER BOOM (LUFF DOWN)

Arm extended, fingers closed, Arm extended, fingers closed,
thumb pointing upward thumb pointing downward
 HAND SIGNALS

SWING (SLEW) TO THE SWING (SLEW) TO THE

LEFT RIGHT
Arm extended, point finger in Arm extended, point finger in
direction of swing. direction of swing.
 HAND SIGNALS

EXTEND BOOM RETRACT BOOM

Both fists in front of body with Both fists in front of body with
thumbs pointing outwards thumbs pointing towards each
other.
 HAND SIGNALS

USE MAIN HOIST AUXILIARY HOIST (OR

Tap fist on head, then use WHIPLINE)
regular signals Tap elbow with one hand, then
use regular signals
REVIEW
 RIGGING REVIEW
Step 1

Determine the weight of the object

 Manufacturer’s Documentation
 Shipping Data
 Known Material Weight
 Load Cell
 Design Drawings
 Calculation/ estimate
 NEVER LIFT A LOAD OF UNKNOWN WEIGHT!
 RIGGING REVIEW
Step 2

Chose the correct type of rigging

 Sling tonnage should meet or exceed load rating
 Consult sling data tag for proper rigging configuration
 Consider sling angles
 Sling should not cause damage to load
 Load should not cause damage to sling
 Rigging should be inspected and in good condition
 NEVER USE RIGGING THAT IS NOT TAGGED
 RIGGING REVIEW
Step 3

Inspect rigging, attachments and

crane
 Pre-Op inspect your crane
 Check for capacity information
 Review sling angle information
 Reject any sling that is questionable
 Inspect shackles, eye bolts, rings, hooks, etc.
 Remove from service and destroy defective or damaged slings
 NEVER USE RIGGING THAT IS NOT TAGGED
 RIGGING REVIEW
Step 4

Locate the center of gravity

 Rig load using best estimate of COG
 Perform a test lift – observe load for shifting.
 Lower and reposition rigging if necessary
 Use additional rigging if necessary
 If pick point cannot be placed directly over the center of gravity,
maintain the longest possible sling angle
 NEVER LIFT AN UNBALANCED OR UNSTEADY LOAD!
 RIGGING REVIEW
Step 5

Lift the load

 Lift the load several inches and hold
 Visually inspect the rigging and the load stability
 Check the path of the load to ensure safe travel
 Lift the load only as high as necessary for safe movement
 Move the load in a slow, safe and predictable manner
 Pay careful attention the load, the crane and your surroundings.
 NEVER LIFT A LOAD OVER PERSONNEL!
 Rigging Tips
Make sure the load can handle the
rigging. In this type of pick, the stress
created by the sling angle on the top of the
box could cause the load to crush (and
potentially fall)

Pad all sharp corners to avoid sling damage

No more than 2 slings in a crane hook – use

a shackle if more sling attachments are needed.

Over-rigging is always better than under-rigging

Ensure even loading on all sling legs, hardware,

etc.
PREVENT RIGGER MORTIS
 Proper Sling Selection
 Pre-use sling inspection
 Determining the correct capacity
 Correct rigging procedures
 Crane pre-operation inspection
 Competent Crane Operation

= SAFE LIFT
 LOAD WEIGHT

TOTAL LOAD IS LOAD

+
WEIGHT PLUS RIGGING
WEIGHT

THE LOAD CAN EASILY

BE DOUBLED IF LOAD IS
HANDLED WITH HARSH
MOVEMENTS

SHOCK LOADING CAN OVERLOAD SLINGS!

 SHOCK LOADING
INCREASES EFFECTIVE LOAD
A SHOCK LOAD RESULTS FROM A SUDDEN
APPLICATION OF A LOAD

"IMPACTING", "JERKING" OR "FREE

FALL" ARE SUDDEN
ACTIONS THAT WILL
CREATE A
SHOCK LOAD
WARNING

 Reeving through connections to load increases the load on the

connection fittings by as much as twice. DO NOT REEVE!
 Clearances

No employee shall be permitted to work under

any suspended loads.
 Prohibited Loads

Riding on loads,
hooks, hammers,
buckets, material
hoists, or other
hoisting
equipment not
meant for
personnel
handling is
prohibited.
 Overhead
Crane Hand
Signals
Hold your hands away from your
body so that the operator can clearly
see them.

Always give signals according to the

operator's right or left.

Do not give more signals than the

operator can perform at one time.

Use a middle-man to transfer hand

signals when you can't see the
operator
Hands-On Training
Practice, practice, practice…