Basic Rigging Course

Lesson 1 • Incident Reporting and Emergency Response

Teaches proper procedures when accidents or near-misses occur during rigging operations. Prepares students to act decisively and document events accurately.

Lesson 2 • Rigging Industry Overview

Introduces the scope of rigging work across construction, manufacturing, and entertainment. Grounds students in the professional context before technical content begins.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment for Riggers

Details PPE selection, inspection, and proper use specific to rigging environments. Ensures students can protect themselves and crew members on every job.

Lesson 4 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Covers systematic methods for spotting rigging hazards before lifts begin. Connects directly to pre-lift planning and incident prevention.

Lesson 1 • Load Weight Estimation Methods

Covers techniques for estimating load weight when documentation is unavailable. Reduces the risk of overloading equipment during unplanned lifts.

Lesson 2 • Dynamic Loading and Shock Forces

Explains how sudden movements multiply forces beyond static load values. Prepares students to account for dynamic effects in lift planning.

Lesson 3 • Center of Gravity and Load Balance

Explains how to locate a load's center of gravity and predict tipping behavior. Directly informs attachment point selection and lift stability.

Lesson 4 • Sling Angles and Tension Multipliers

Demonstrates how sling angle affects tension and rated capacity. Students learn to calculate tension multipliers and select appropriate sling configurations.

Lesson 1 • Wire Rope Sling Configurations

Covers single-leg, bridle, basket, and choker configurations for wire rope slings. Students select configurations based on load geometry and angle requirements.

Lesson 2 • Chain Sling Inspection and Maintenance

Teaches link-by-link inspection methods and proper chain sling storage. Students identify stretch, wear, and deformation that require removal from service.

Lesson 3 • Wire Rope Inspection Criteria

Defines removal-from-service criteria for wire rope based on industry standards. Students learn to conduct systematic visual and tactile inspections.

Lesson 4 • Chain Sling Types and Grades

Distinguishes alloy chain grades and their rated capacities for lifting service. Ensures students never substitute non-lifting chain in rigging applications.

Lesson 1 • Web Sling Construction and Ratings

Explains flat and twisted web sling construction and how width affects capacity. Students read load rating labels and apply correct working load limits.

Lesson 2 • Synthetic Sling Materials and Properties

Compares nylon, polyester, and high-performance fiber slings by strength and chemical resistance. Establishes the basis for material selection decisions.

Lesson 3 • Synthetic Sling Inspection and Rejection

Defines visual and tactile inspection criteria for removing synthetic slings from service. Connects inspection findings to specific damage mechanisms.

Lesson 4 • Round Sling and Endless Sling Use

Covers the construction and handling of round and endless slings for delicate or irregular loads. Students apply correct hitches and protect slings from sharp edges.

Lesson 1 • Hooks: Types, Ratings, and Inspection

Covers swivel, shank, and sorting hooks along with their rated capacities and safety latches. Students identify deformation, cracks, and throat opening that require rejection.

Lesson 2 • Eyebolts and Hoist Rings

Covers shouldered eyebolts and swivel hoist rings, including correct installation torque and angular load limits. Students avoid side-loading failures on fixed eyebolts.

Lesson 3 • Rings, Links, and Connecting Hardware

Introduces master rings, oblong links, and pear-shaped links used to assemble multi-leg sling sets. Students verify compatibility and load ratings across assembled hardware.

Lesson 4 • Hardware Inspection and Rejection Criteria

Establishes a systematic inspection routine for all rigging hardware before each use. Students apply removal-from-service criteria consistently across hardware types.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Leg Sling Set Rigging

Covers two-, three-, and four-leg bridle configurations and load distribution principles. Students calculate leg tensions and verify hardware ratings for each configuration.

Lesson 2 • Basket Hitch Configurations

Demonstrates double-wrap and standard basket hitches and their capacity advantages. Students select basket configurations for long, balanced, or delicate loads.

Lesson 3 • Choker Hitch Techniques

Explains choker hitch geometry, capacity reduction, and correct choke angle. Students apply chokers to cylindrical and bundled loads without damaging slings.

Lesson 4 • Vertical Hitch Applications

Covers single-leg vertical hitch setup, load control, and capacity limits. Students understand when vertical hitches are appropriate and how to maintain load stability.

Lesson 1 • Exclusion Zones and Overhead Hazards

Covers establishing and enforcing exclusion zones beneath suspended loads. Students identify overhead power lines, structures, and other hazards that affect lift planning.

Lesson 2 • Rigger Responsibilities During Lifts

Defines the rigger's duties before, during, and after a crane lift. Students understand their accountability separate from the crane operator's responsibilities.

Lesson 3 • Types of Cranes and Hoists

Surveys overhead, mobile, tower, and jib cranes alongside chain and wire rope hoists. Students match lifting equipment to job site conditions and load requirements.

Lesson 4 • Reading and Applying Load Charts

Explains how to extract rated capacity from crane load charts using radius and boom angle. Students verify that planned lifts remain within equipment limits.

Lesson 1 • Site Assessment and Ground Conditions

Covers evaluating ground bearing capacity, outrigger pad sizing, and site obstructions. Students prevent crane tip-overs caused by inadequate ground preparation.

Lesson 2 • Trial Lifts and Final Verification

Teaches the trial lift process for verifying balance, rigging integrity, and equipment function before full height travel. Students apply go/no-go criteria at each verification step.

Lesson 3 • Developing a Written Lift Plan

Guides students through documenting load data, equipment selection, rigging configuration, and hazard controls. Produces a complete lift plan document as a practical output.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Lift Meeting and Crew Briefing

Explains how to conduct an effective pre-lift meeting that aligns all crew members on roles and hazards. Students practice leading briefings that cover the complete lift plan.