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PROVEN

06

RIGGING

Riggers rig to rated capacity, known weights and inspected hardware. The hitch is not “made to work” with a choker and optimism. Rigging is done to ASME B30, manufacturer instructions for the hardware, and the site.

NON-NEGOTIABLES

Know the load.

Weight and centre of gravity are confirmed from drawings, shipping data, scales or engineering — not from memory of a similar piece.

Know the hitch.

Vertical, choker and basket hitches have different capacities. Sling angle is calculated, not eyeballed when it matters.

Hardware is rated and matched.

Shackles, hooks and master links are the correct type and WLL. Pins are fully engaged. Screw pins are moused where required. No mixing mystery steel.

Protect the sling.

Sharp edges get softeners, pads or a different hitch. A cut sling is a dropped load that has not happened yet.

No people under the load.

Tag lines control rotation. Hands do not. Pushing a live load with your body is not rigging.

SLING ANGLES

As the included angle flattens, tension climbs. At 60° the tension is the load share. At 30° it has doubled. Below 30° that hitch is not used unless an engineer owns the numbers. If you cannot explain the angle, you cannot use the angle.

HOOKS AND SHACKLES

  • Do not point-load a shackle bow unless it is designed for it.
  • Do not replace a pin with a bolt from the truck.
  • Hook latches work. If the latch is gone, the hook is out of service unless the hitch does not require it and the manufacturer allows it — default is out of service.
  • Never wrap a sling around a hook as a makeshift eye.

TEST LIFT

Every load comes an inch off the ground and waits. Check balance, hitch security, crane reaction, and the zone. A test lift is not optional because the load “looks fine.”

  1. 01

    PLAN THE LIFT

    Confirm load weight, centre of gravity, lifting points and required capacity. If any of those are unknown, do not rig.

  2. 02

    INSPECT THE RIGGING

    Inspect slings, shackles, hooks and hardware before use. Damaged gear is out of service. No exceptions, no “one more lift.”

  3. 03

    CONNECT THE LOAD

    Install rigging correctly and protect it from sharp edges. Hardware sits straight. Slings are not twisted, knotted or choked off a guess.

  4. 04

    CLEAR THE AREA

    Establish the exclusion zone and confirm communication. Nobody walks under a load. Nobody stands in the fall line.

  5. 05

    TEST THE LIFT

    Take the load just clear of the ground and verify balance. If it tilts, lands or shocks — lower it and re-rig.

  6. 06

    MAKE THE LIFT

    Lift smoothly while maintaining communication and control. Stop on any lost signal, unexpected movement or change in conditions.

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