OSHA Rigging Training Requirements

OSHA Rigging Training Requirements

This article was originally written over two years ago. Total Equipment Training has reviewed and updated the content to make it more accurate to the current data.

Rigger Qualifications and Certifications

Rigging is a critical part of construction and heavy industry, ensuring the safe lifting and movement of massive objects. Qualified riggers play a vital role in these operations, and their expertise is essential to prevent accidents and injuries.

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Man Beside a Rigger Crane

What Is a Certified Rigger 1?

OSHA defines a qualified rigger as someone with a recognized degree/certificate/professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training, and experience, capable of solving problems related to rigging loads. This encompasses formal certification or extensive on-the-job training and evaluation.

While not mandated by OSHA, rigger certification demonstrates competence and adherence to industry standards. Candidates must demonstrate competency through written and practical evaluations. Total Equipment Training offers resources to enhance your skills as a qualified rigger operator.

What Is Rigging?

Riggers are essential for safely lifting and maneuvering heavy loads. They attach cables or ropes to loads, ensuring they are properly balanced and stable. Riggers are proficient in selecting the right hitches and equipment, such as slings, shackles, and winches. They navigate through tight spaces and inspect equipment before, during, and after use. Additionally, they understand and mitigate potential hazards associated with each lift, ensuring clear communication and signaling during crane operations.

Total Equipment Training provides experienced rigger worker training to improve risk mitigation on your work site, although formal rigging certification isn’t mandatory by OSHA, it demonstrates competence and adherence to industry standards.

How to Become a Certified Rigger

To attain Rigger 1 Certification through the NCCCO, an individual must meet the following CCO Rigger requirements:

  • Rigger Eligibility: Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Rigger Training: Enroll in a rigger training program from an NCCCO-accredited organization.
  • Rigging Examinations: Pass both written and practical rigger exams administered by an NCCCO-accredited organization.

Total Equipment Training has NCCCO Certified Riggers and Examiners on staff. Contact TET today to speak with our knowledgeable and experience staff about our rigger level 1 training materials or onsite group rigger training.

Rigger 1 Testing

Rigging Written Test

The NCCCO Rigger Level 1 Written Certification Test assesses your theoretical knowledge of rigging concepts. It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 60 minutes. The test covers the following domains:

  • The Scope of the Rigging Activity
  • Technical Knowledge
  • Inspection
  • Execution of Rigging Activity

Take a FREE NCCCO Rigger Level 1 Practice Test

Rigging Practical Test

The Rigger Level 1 Practical Certification Test evaluates your ability to apply the rigging skills you learned during training. Under the supervision of an examiner, you’ll complete a series of tasks that progressively increase in difficulty. These tasks focus on:

  • Pre-use Rigging Inspection
  • Rigging Hitches
  • Rigging Connections
  • Basic Knots

Onsite Company Training for Rigging

Rigger Re-Certification Test

Similar to most NCCCO certifications, Rigger 1 certification expires after 5 years. Recertification ensures riggers stay updated on current trends, developments, and regulations in crane operations.

To be eligible for recertification, candidates must complete all requirements at least 12 months before their certification expiration. Recertification involves complying with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics, and passing a written exam.

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Rigging Safety

Hoisting and rigging equipmentRigging safety involves comprehensive measures to minimize risks during lifting operations. These precautions include personnel training, proper personal protective equipment, regular equipment inspections, environmental risk assessments, effective communication, and emergency procedures. Ensuring staff welfare is paramount during rigging operations to prevent accidents leading to property damage, injuries, or fatalities.

Rigging Equipment

Crane rigging trainingRigging equipment encompasses all devices used to hoist, pull, push, and lift heavy objects in various industries. Examples include jacks for lifting, skates and dollies for pushing, and chains, hooks, and tie-downs for pulling. For heavier loads, equipment like cranes and forklifts are utilized. Rigging equipment is diverse and specialized, including wire rope slings, webbing slings, chain slings, metal mesh slings, spread beams, and various rigging hardware, tailored to specific load requirements and environmental conditions.

 

Rigger Testing and Inspection

Rigging and lifting equipment Lifting chains must undergo proof-testing before initial use, following manufacturer guidelines and industry standards. Additionally, chains should be proof-tested after repairs to ensure they meet strength requirements. Rigging equipment requires frequent visual inspections by competent personnel, including checks before each use for damages, defects, or wear. Periodic inspections by qualified individuals should occur at least annually, with more frequent inspections based on usage frequency, lift nature, and equipment service life.

 

Common Rigger Tools

Rigging Gear Slings, particularly wire ropes, are the most commonly used rigging materials, essential for supporting suspended loads from heavy equipment such as cranes and forklifts. Various types of slings made from wire, chain, mesh, and synthetic materials cater to different load requirements and applications. Wire ropes stand out as the predominant sling material due to their versatility and strength.

 

 

Comprehensive Rigging Solutions from Total Equipment Training

At Total Equipment Training, we offer a range of resources to support your journey in rigging safety and certification.

Contact us today to take the next step in advancing your rigging skills and ensuring safety on your work site!

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Barb Fullman- CEO of Total Equipment Training
About the Author

As the owner of Total Equipment Training, Barb Fullman has been an active contributor to the heavy equipment training industry for over 23 years. Barb, a Penn State University graduate, is recognized as the highest ranking women-owned heavy equipment training business in the US. As a leading authority and provider of heavy equipment training, training manuals and tests based on OSHA Standards and Regulations, Total Equipment Trainings’ client list is composed of most of the Fortune 1000 companies focusing on energy, construction, heavy highway, and manufacturing.

Barb’s motto is “Stay safe, stay up to date”. She is committed to up-to-date & technically correct training, whether it is via in-person or through our library of online heavy equipment resources. With over 50 OSHA qualifying training topics to choose from with TET, the most popular heavy equipment training subjects are mobile cranes, NCCCO, all “dirt equipment”, rigging, crane inspections, and train-the-trainer.