basic rigger ; technique and rules

This app has now been updated with many new features, including. How to Work Safely with Rigging ?

Before you select a sling for a specific lift, determine the most effective hitch to do to the job, protect the load, and protect the sling. One of three basic hitches will usually do the job.

The type of hitch you select may determine the type of sling body that will best do the job, as well as the length of sling that will be needed. Lifting height, overhead clearance and hook travel will affect choice of hitch and length of sling.

Choose a sling body type which will best support the load while providing adequate rated capacity. The proper choice will provide:

Type of Hitch Determines Choice of Sling

Lifting capacity needed.

Proper D/d Ratio.

Handling characteristics needed for rigging.

Minimal damage to the sling.

Minimal damage to the load.

*Type of Hitch Determines Choice of Sling

Protection the sling during the lift with blocking or padding at corners, or where the sling body would be bent severely.

**Use a shackle in the sling eye during a choke to protect sling body against excessive distortion. Always put shackle pin through sling eye rather than against the sling body—since sliding movement of sling body could rotate pin, causing it to come loose.

**A sliding hook choker is superior to a shackle or unprotected eye, since it provides a greater bending radius for the sling body.

**Use blocking or padding to protect hollow vessels, loose bundles and fragile items from scuffing and bending. Remember that blocking becomes part of the lift, and must be added to total weight of the sling.

**When lifting crates or wooden boxes with a basket hitch, be sure load can withstand side pressure as tension is applied to sling. Use spreader bars and corner protectors to prevent damage to contents.

**When lifting a bundled load with a single sling near the center of gravity, a choke is more effective than a basket hitch to prevent unbalance and slipping of the load in the sling.

**Some riggers will use a double wrap around the load, for 360° gripping of the load, to prevent slippage during the lift.