Lifting Slings & Rigging Equipment Training

Lesson 1 • Basic Physics of Lifting

Covers force, gravity, center of gravity, and load distribution. Understanding these principles underpins safe sling angle and capacity calculations.

Lesson 2 • Core Rigging Terminology

Defines essential vocabulary used throughout the course. Precise terminology enables accurate communication on the job site.

Lesson 3 • Rigging Industry Overview

Introduces the scope of rigging work across industries and defines the rigger's role. Establishes context for all subsequent technical content.

Lesson 4 • Hazard Recognition in Rigging

Identifies common rigging hazards including dropped loads, struck-by events, and equipment failure. Early hazard awareness reduces incident rates throughout training.

Lesson 1 • Synthetic Web Slings

Describes nylon and polyester web sling construction, color coding, and load limits. Synthetic slings protect delicate load surfaces and are lightweight for frequent use.

Lesson 2 • Wire Rope Slings

Examines wire rope construction, grades, and end terminations. Wire rope slings are the most common heavy-duty sling type and form a baseline for comparison.

Lesson 3 • Round Slings and Endless Slings

Explains polyester round sling construction and the endless loop design. Round slings offer high strength-to-weight ratios and conform to irregular load shapes.

Lesson 4 • Chain Slings

Covers alloy chain grades, link geometry, and master links. Chain slings excel in high-temperature and abrasive environments where synthetic slings fail.

Lesson 1 • Lifting Beams and Spreader Bars

Covers the design purpose, rated capacity, and rigging of lifting beams and spreader bars. These devices control load geometry and reduce sling angles on wide loads.

Lesson 2 • Hooks: Types and Safe Use

Covers swivel hooks, shank hooks, and sorting hooks with their load ratings. Correct hook selection prevents accidental disengagement and overload failures.

Lesson 3 • Hardware Compatibility and Assembly

Addresses matching hardware grades, sizes, and materials within a single rigging assembly. Mismatched components are a leading cause of assembly failure under load.

Lesson 4 • Shackles and Connecting Links

Identifies screw-pin, bolt-type, and round-pin shackles and their rated capacities. Shackles are the most frequently used connecting hardware in rigging assemblies.

Lesson 1 • Sling Angle and Capacity Reduction

Quantifies how decreasing sling angles increase tension and reduce effective capacity. Students apply sling angle factors to determine safe working loads for any configuration.

Lesson 2 • Choker Hitch Applications

Explains how the choker hitch grips the load and reduces rated capacity. Proper choker placement prevents sling damage and load slippage during the lift.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Leg Bridle Sling Rigging

Addresses two-leg, three-leg, and four-leg bridle assemblies and load sharing. Unequal leg lengths cause uneven load distribution and must be corrected before lifting.

Lesson 4 • Vertical Hitch Fundamentals

Defines the vertical hitch as the baseline configuration for rated capacity. All other hitch types are compared against vertical hitch capacity as a reference.

Lesson 1 • Working Load Limit Calculations

Applies sling angle factors, hitch type reductions, and hardware ratings to determine the assembly working load limit. Every component in the assembly governs the total rated capacity.

Lesson 2 • Lift Planning Documentation

Guides students through completing a standard lift plan form including load data, rigging selection, and hazard controls. Documentation creates accountability and enables pre-lift review.

Lesson 3 • Dynamic and Shock Load Factors

Introduces dynamic load multipliers for crane acceleration, deceleration, and shock events. Ignoring dynamic factors is a primary cause of rigging assembly overload.

Lesson 4 • Locating the Center of Gravity

Explains geometric and empirical methods for finding a load's center of gravity. Correct center-of-gravity location ensures the load hangs level and stable.

Lesson 1 • Chain and Hardware Rejection Criteria

Covers stretch, nick, gouge, and wear limits for chain links and hardware components. Chain elongation beyond tolerance indicates overload history and mandates removal.

Lesson 2 • Inspection Records and Recertification

Explains documentation requirements for periodic and annual inspections and recertification processes. Proper records demonstrate due diligence and support equipment lifecycle management.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Use Inspection Procedures

Establishes a systematic pre-use inspection routine for slings and hardware before each lift. Consistent pre-use checks catch damage introduced since the last inspection.

Lesson 4 • Synthetic Sling Rejection Criteria

Identifies cuts, abrasion, chemical damage, heat damage, and UV degradation in web and round slings. Synthetic slings show damage differently than metal slings and require distinct criteria.

Lesson 1 • Hand Signals and Communication

Teaches standardized hand signals and radio communication protocols for crane and hoist operations. Clear communication between rigger and operator prevents unintended crane movements.

Lesson 2 • Post-Lift Procedures

Covers load securing, sling removal, equipment storage, and incident reporting after lift completion. Post-lift procedures protect equipment condition and document any anomalies.

Lesson 3 • Lift Execution and Load Control

Guides the sequence from initial tension through travel and placement, including tag line use. Controlled lift execution prevents load swing, rotation, and collision with structures.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Lift Planning and Briefing

Covers site assessment, lift plan review, and crew briefing before any lift begins. A thorough pre-lift briefing aligns all personnel on roles, signals, and abort criteria.

Lesson 1 • Tandem and Multi-Crane Lifts

Addresses load sharing, communication, and synchronization in lifts using two or more cranes. Tandem lifts require precise coordination to prevent overloading either crane.

Lesson 2 • Lifts Near Energized Equipment

Covers minimum approach distances, electrical hazard controls, and insulating equipment for lifts near power lines. Electrical contact is a leading cause of crane-related fatalities.

Lesson 3 • Defining Critical and Engineered Lifts

Establishes criteria that classify a lift as critical or requiring an engineered lift plan. Understanding these thresholds triggers the appropriate level of planning and oversight.

Lesson 4 • Engineered Lift Plan Development

Guides students through producing a complete engineered lift plan with calculations, diagrams, and contingency procedures. The plan serves as the authoritative document for complex lift execution.