10 Common Rigging Safety Rules

These 10 common rigging safety rules will help you remember some of the most important safe rigging practices.

• Be sure to establish the weight of the load.
• Determine the proper type of hitch based on the type of load.
• Understand the relationships between angles and tension as they pertain to slings and hardware. If you don’t understand the relationships, or if you have any questions, check with your supervisor before you proceed.
• Make sure that you select the right sling for the job based on the type of load to be lifted.
• Also, select the right hardware based on the type of load and the type of sling or slings that will be used for the lift.
• Inspect each sling before you use it. Never use a defective sling. Take defective slings out of service immediately and follow your company’s procedure for handling defective equipment.
• Inspect all rigging hardware before you use it. Never use defective hardware. Take defective hardware out of service immediately and follow your company’s procedure for handling defective equipment.
• As you rig the load, protect slings from cuts and tears.
• Determine the load’s center of gravity.
• Pay close attention to detail at the time of the lift.

STOP DANGER / STOP DEFECTS

*Tool Box Talk based on GC submitted by Pat Wilson – Paulsboro