Successful Lifts Start With Safe Rigging
By Austin Reiner
Safe rigging practices are essential for the safety of everyone working near crane activities on a job site. Improper rigging techniques can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and damage to property.
A wide variety of rigging methods can be applied in various lifting scenarios, and it’s crucial to have the correct knowledge in selecting the correct method for each case.
Rigging for steel erection presents unique challenges. Read on for best practice reminders on inspection, selection, and communication.
Inspection and Training
First and foremost, employees need to ensure that all rigging equipment is inspected and maintained regularly. This includes wire rope, chains, nylon, polyester, hooks, and other hardware used for lifting and moving loads.
Any equipment showing signs of wear, such as, cuts, abrasions, severe wear, broken wires, cracked fittings, chemical burns, UV damage, and distortion should be taken out of service immediately and replaced.
Regular inspections and maintenance help prevent equipment failure and ensure that all rigging gear is in good working condition. Proper training for riggers is another critical aspect of safe rigging practices.
Workers involved in rigging operations need to receive comprehensive training on the safe use of rigging equipment, as well as identification of potential hazards and proper procedures for lifting and moving loads.
Additionally, workers should be trained to understand load capacities, weight estimation, center of gravity, and the importance of balancing and securing loads to prevent accidents. Employers should also keep their employees’ training fresh, as new standards, practices, and rigging hardware are always changing.
Selection for Steel Erection
When it comes to rigging for steel erection, the selection of the appropriate rigging is critical. Qualified riggers should carefully choose the right rigging and hardware to be used, based on the type and weight of the load being lifted.
It is important to consider factors such as the load’s shape, size, and center of gravity in determining the most suitable rigging equipment for the job.
Using the incorrect rigging can compromise safety and lead to serious accidents.
For example, choosing a flat webbed nylon sling to hoist a steel beam with sharp edges could result in the rigging getting cut and dropping the load. A safer rigging practice in that case would be to use an Independent-Wire-Rope-Core Steel Choker (IWRC).
It’s also best to use softeners on the corners of a load that touch the selected rigging, and it’s extremely important to use the correct size of sling.
“Bigger is always better” is not a safe practice when it comes to selecting rigging.
For example, if you were to choose to use a 1" IWRC choker on a 300-lb. beam in a choke hitch, the load would likely slide out of the rigging.
Hoisting Communication
Furthermore, steel erectors must establish clear communication protocols to use during hoisting operations. Effective communication among rigging personnel, crane operators, and other workers is essential for ensuring safe, efficient movement of loads.
Using standardized hand signals or two-way radios can help to minimize the risk of misunderstandings and errors during a lift. Workers who are signaling to the operator need to be trained properly.
Steel erectors, or anyone else lifting loads, should always conduct a thorough assessment of the area in which loads will be hoisted overhead before starting to make a lift. That assessment includes evaluating the ground conditions, overhead obstructions, and the presence of power lines or other potential hazards.
Clearing a safe path for the movement of overhead loads and securing the area to prevent unauthorized access is also critical. The most effective way to secure an area is to set up a hard barricade such as a fence.
At a minimum, red rope or red danger tape should be used around the perimeter with signs that identify the hazards. We all need to adhere to all relevant safety regulations and standards governing rigging operations.
This includes complying with OSHA and industry-specific guidelines for rigging and lifting. When receiving new rigging on a job site, we always need to make sure we understand and train our qualified riggers on the rigging manufacturers’ rules and guidelines for safe use and storage.
By staying informed about the latest safety standards and best practices, steel erectors and others who lift loads can ensure that their rigging operations meet the highest safety standards and minimize the risk of accidents and injuries.
In conclusion, safe rigging practices are vital for the success and safety of anyone lifting loads overhead.
By following proper inspection and maintenance protocols, providing comprehensive training, selecting the appropriate rigging gear, establishing clear communication, conducting thorough assessments, and adhering to safety regulations, companies that lift loads can create a safe and productive work environment for their workers while ensuring the successful completion of their projects.
Prioritizing safe rigging practices not only protects our workers and equipment but also contributes to the overall safety culture. This article is designed to inform readers about safety and to provide suggestions for reducing risk.
These best practices were gathered from a variety of sources. They may be more or less stringent than individual corporate policies and are not intended to be an official recommendation from the Steel Erectors Association of America.
Always get approval and direction from your company officers on any new practice or procedure, as these best practices may not work for all situations.
Austin Reiner is Safety Manager at Derr & Gruenwald Construction LLC, Brighton, Colorado.
