Emerson Exchange 365

Rigging is a very important part of almost all industries, such as  Manufacturing , Construction, Oil and Gas , Marine and Forestry. In fact wherever and whenever there is a need to carry heavy loads from one place to another, rigging is used. Proper rigging hardware allows a site to operate with more efficiency. It is therefore important for all workers to be familiar with the different aspects that ensure an efficient rigging operation that meets the highest standards of safety.

The fact that they are used to carry heavy loads, makes it necessary to ensure safety while using them. The safe and correct use of rigging equipment will lead to the safe and easy handling of loads. On the other hand, if you do not consider the various safety tips that deal with the proper use of rigging, you might suffer from an on site mishap resulting from an imbalanced crane or a load that comes crashing down from the rigging.

Following are the key aspects  that affect any rigging operation:

Selecting The Proper Equipment

Selection of appropriate lifting equipment for the job is essential. Ensure that the machine or equipment selected for the job has sufficient capacity and can bear the weight of the load. In case of crane, crawler or a tower, the lifting capacity depends on the load capacity of the crane boom, hence it is important to calculate the distance between the load and the crane.

Special attention should be given to the load-bearing parts, such as, wire ropes, slings, braking mechanism, equipment safety, etc.

• Wire ropes

1. Many types of wire ropes are available on the market for a variety of uses, hence it is important to choose the correct type for any given load. They  can be differentiated according to the wires used, strand, grade, core and lay. These wire ropes must be properly maintained to prevent snapping, corrosion or any other damage.

• Wire Rope Slings

1. Generally, there are six types of slings that are available on the markets. These are made of wire rope, metal mesh, synthetic rope, chain, natural fiber rope and synthetic web. It is important to choose the perfect sling in order to hold and balance the load.

• Braking mechanism

1. The ability of the lifting equipment to lift or suspend a load is dependent on the brakes connected to the hoisting mechanism. Hence any failure of the brakes would result in an unintended free-fall of the suspended loads.

• Safety devices

1. Most lifting equipments are equipped with a variety of safety devices such as limit switches or sensors. These devices stop or prevent the lifting equipment from entering  an unsafe  mode of operation, for example an anti-two block device on a crawler crane works to prevent the overloading and back-flip of the boom. It is thus critical to ensure that such devices are functioning properly.

Considering The Type Of The Load

It is important to know the material of the load. Only then is it possible to know the appropriate sling to be attached to it.

• Weight

1.     Calculate the weight of the load. This is perhaps the most important parameter that must be checked to prevent overloading of the lifting equipment. When the load is rigged to the machine, the weight of other rigging assemblies should also be taken into consideration.

• Center of Gravity

1. It is critical to know the center of gravity of the load in any lifting operation. If not adjusted accordingly, the load will swing towards the center of gravity causing the load to imbalance and fall. This can prove dangerous to the people standing under or near the load. If in doubt about the exact center of gravity,  it is advisable to consult the engineer for fall protection.

• Rigging Methods

1. There are various rigging methods used by different industries. All these methods ensure safe and stable operations. For example, while handling loose objects such as bricks or concrete bags, opt for metal cages or safety nets that ensure safe lifting.

Lifting Crew

Human error is one of the most known causes of failure in rigging operations. It is important that every member of the lifting crew is well trained and qualified for the job.

• Medical  Condition

1. It is important that his existing medical conditions should be a fit for the environment he is working in.

• Responsibility

1. He should be well aware of his duties and responsibilities. He should be experienced in his field and know the risks involved in every job. Every person involved in the operation should be alert enough to stop an activity in case he believes it to be unsafe. He should also be adequately trained and have the competency to carry out his duties properly.

• Communication

1. Workers should be guided and trained to use hand signals for various operations. Provision of communication devices such as radio walkies talkies can be helpful in large sites.

Rigging Methods

Along with aspects such as machines, crew, material, it is very important to be aware about rigging methodology. It is important to consider factors such as weight of the load as well the load capacity of the equipment used. Following are the important points to be kept in mind before lifting or moving the load.

• Conduct a test lift before the actual operation to ensure all the rigging hardware is in place and secured properly to the load.
• Maintain the center of gravity of the load directly beneath the load line.
• Ensure the stability of the load while moving or lifting the load. Do not allow the load to swing or rotate as this may cause the wire rope to snap and result in a serious accident.
• While lowering or releasing  the load ensure  it  has been been properly placed at the required location. Normally when the load is raised to greater heights, the operator may loose sight of the load;in such cases the lifting crew should able to give proper guidance to the operator.

End Words

It is critical to note that none of the lifting hardware should be overloaded under any circumstances. It is always important to choose the right rigging hardware  in order to ensure fall protection and safe rigging operations. Keeping the above mentioned facts in mind will help you plan a safe rigging operation.