Crane and Hoist Rigging Safety

Cranes and hoists are critical for lifting heavy objects in various industries. They require skilled operation, proper use, and routine inspections and maintenance to ensure safety. This course defines rigging and slings, discusses the importance of safe rigging, load considerations, types of slings, types of sling hitches, safe rigging practices, and commonly required personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Course Details

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define and describe rigging and slings
  • State the importance of rigging to crane operations
  • Identify the different types of sling materials
  • Describe the different types of sling hitches
  • Identify guidelines for safe rigging, including sling angle and load balancing
  • Describe inspection guidelines for wire rope, chains, and hooks
  • Identify guidelines for rigging storage

Specs

Course Level Intermediate
Languages English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Tamil, Polish, Russian, Thai, Czech
Compatibility Audio, Video
Based on: Based on: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184: Materials Handling and Storage – Slings OSHA 29 CFR 1910.179: Materials Handling and Storage – Overhead and gantry cranes ASME B30 standards ‘Rigging’ – a book by James Headley of the Crane Institute of America

Author

Vector Solutions

With over two decades of experience designing advanced 3D animated courseware and developing our proprietary learning management software, we pride ourselves by having developed over 1,000 safety and operations training modules, which have helped train over 250,000 workers worldwide. Our highly experienced team provides the industry with a simple and high-quality means of training their workforce. Whether your team consists of 25 people or an enterprise with thousands, we’re here to help.

Key Questions

What OSHA regulations are related to crane and hoist rigging?

Several OSHA regulations govern crane and hoist rigging, including OSHA’s standards for overhead and gantry cranes and materials handling and storage slings. For comprehensive details, refer to OSHA’s Safety and Health Topic page on Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety.

What are some of the factors that influence the safety of rigging?

Key factors affecting rigging safety include the type of sling used, the hitch method, sling angle, load edge sharpness, load capacity, and the stability of the load. Ensuring these elements are correctly managed is crucial for safe rigging practices.

What materials might a sling be made of?

Slings in rigging are commonly made from materials such as wire rope, chain, metal mesh, and synthetic fibers. Each material offers different strengths and flexibility suited to various lifting needs.

What are some common kinds of hitches?

Common rigging hitches include vertical, bridle, basket, choker, and endless slings. Each hitch type is used based on the lifting requirements and load conditions.

What is a load capacity chart, and why is it important?

A load capacity chart displays the load capacities of different types of slings, hitches, and sling angles. This chart helps ensure that rigging equipment is used within its safe operating limits.

Sample Video Transcript

Metal mesh slings are made up of small, connected metal rings or other shapes. This results in a mesh sheet that is flexible and has a large surface area. Metal mesh slings are widely used in metalworking and other industries where loads are abrasive, hot, or sharp. The wide surface area of the mesh prevents single-point stresses that would occur on wire, rope, or chains. Also, metal mesh grips the load firmly without stretching, and helps maintain a balanced load. To prevent the sling or load from being damaged, sometimes metal mesh slings are coated with rubber or plastic.

Course Applies To

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