Your Guide to Crane Rigging and Rigging
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned veteran of crane rigging, this guide will help you understand more about the process and decide what rigging equipment will best suit your project.
What Is Crane/Rigging?
Crane rigging is a process that readies cranes for lifting operations. Cranes are large and heavy, so they must be adequately prepared and secured before operations begin.
What Is Rigging Equipment?
Rigging equipment is a critical component of any rigging system. These parts work together to hold the load physically, making it essential to have the right equipment for your job.
There are many types of rigging equipment, but they all have one thing in common — they help you lift, lower or otherwise move loads safely and efficiently.
9 Types of Crane Rigging Hardware
Rigging hardware is a must-have for anyone working in the industry. Each rigging tool is fabricated to perform a specific job when lifting heavy loads with a crane. Popular rigging equipment includes:
- Steel nuts and eye bolts: Steel nuts and eye bolts are a standard combination of hardware that works in tandem to create a connection point, like an anchor or looping cables. Available in both shouldered and non-shouldered ranges, the recommended eye bolt depends on the load’s weight, sling type, loading angle and frame material.
- Rigging hooks: Riggers use these hooks to attach a load to a crane, acting as a vital connection point. Four popular variations include eye hooks, clevis grabs, sorting hooks and choker hooks. Often fabricated from alloy steel, this hardware is used in lifting, hoisting and slinging.
- Wire ropes: Used for lifting operations and hoisting purposes, these ropes feature layers of wire wrapped for durability and come in various diameters and lengths, depending on the type of crane and application. The wire rope consists of three parts — the steel core, woven strands and the wire itself. The core provides strength to the rope and helps keep the strands in position. Formed by steel wire, woven strands offer flexibility so that the gear can endure significant pressure from heavy loads.
- Spreader bars and lifting beams: Spreader bars are used in rigging when you need to distribute weight across several points on your structure. Otherwise, riggers select lifting beams for their ability to carry the weight over a singular point. For this reason, lifting beams preferably handle lighter loads, while spreader bars, also known as spreader beams, support heavier loads.
- Blocks and pulleys: Blocks and pulleys are the heart of crane rigging. You can utilize many different types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. However, the basic function is the same — to transfer force from a cable or chain to another object, such as a load, and safely raise or lower a load at a constant speed.
- Shackles: Shackles are connecting hardware pieces used to attach a load-bearing component such as a chain, wire and webbing slings, or ropes.
- Synthetic slings: Synthetic slings are ideal for grip and hoisting activities where you need a flexible, versatile lift option that can withstand abrasion from rough construction work. Their fibrous composition makes them very strong for their weight and gives them their main use of moving fragile, delicate objects without risk of damage.
- Turnbuckles: The turnbuckle is a small tensioning device used to adjust the length of a crane rigging and change the tension in a load line or cable.
- Tie-down straps: Made from various materials and modified based on the weight they need to carry, tie-down straps secure loads.
7 Rigging Safety Tips
Rigging safety is a serious matter, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are seven rigging safety tips that will help you keep your crew and equipment safe as you work:
- Inspect the gear before use: Look over the entire rigging system, paying particular attention to worn or damaged components. If you see something that looks questionable, don’t operate it.
- Repair, replace or discard faulty equipment: Before using any equipment, ensure it is in good working order and safe to use. If you notice any faults, repair or replace the equipment before using it again.
- Follow manufacturer specifications: Overloading can cause unnecessary stress on your rigging system and lead to failure in extreme cases. Check with the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding load limits for each component in your system before operation.
- Always attend suspended rigs: When working on crane rigs, monitor the equipment at all times, and avoid working under suspended loads.
- Keep rigging equipment well secured and balanced: When you keep your rigging equipment well secured and balanced, you reduce the risks of costly accidents. If mishaps do occur, the consequences will be less severe.
- Never lift people with a hoist: Improperly using a hoist to lift people is prohibited under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. It places the employee at risk for injury and may lead to a safety violation unless the platform and rigging have passed the proof test.
- Place hook and hoist in a secure location after use: Place all unused equipment in an area that will not create a hazard or interfere with other work activities.
Contact Riggers, Inc. Specialized Rigging and Transport Solutions
Riggers, Inc. is committed to providing our clients with safe and efficient heavy rigging and hauling services that meet all their equipment and machinery needs. Our team comprises specialists in the field who know how to get the job done right. Contact us today to learn more about our specialized rigging and transport solutions.