Every individual on a construction job site plays an important role in the overall safety and productivity of the project. From crane operators sitting on top of a towering crane to the individuals rigging the loads on the cranes, every step of the process requires skill and training to keep everyone safe.
Tasks such as rigging a load onto a crane or signaling traffic through a job site require formal crane certification. Through proper training, the efficiency and safety of a worksite greatly improve.
At Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, we understand the importance of a well-prepared and trained team. We’ll quickly go over what rigging and signaling training is, the role these play on a job site, and why this training is an important asset to take advantage of.
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What Is Rigging and Signaling Training?
Rigging and signaling training gives workers a glimpse into how cranes work, proper load rigging, and concepts such as a crane’s center of gravity. These training programs typically go over how to safely load and unload a crane to prevent tipping over or other breakdowns, as well as how to give proper safety signals on a job site.
While rigging and signaling training is not as extensive as a full crane certification program, it gives workers insight into how to safely work with and around cranes on a construction site.
The Role of a Rigger
There are many steps involved when using a crane on a construction site—one of which is rigging. Rigging involves various equipment to properly secure a load, ensuring the crane won’t fall or tip over. This is where a rigger comes in.
A rigger is like a conductor for a load, making sure everything looks good before the crane starts moving. Their role includes inspecting the rigging equipment for wear and tear, finding the load’s center of gravity, and choosing the right equipment for the job.
The Role and Responsibilities of a Signal Person
A lot is happening on a construction site all at once. It’s a bustling environment where people are doing multiple jobs at the same time to get the project done on time. It can also get loud with beeping equipment, buzzing tools, and people shouting. This is where a signal person comes in.
A signal person works with the crane operator and provides clear directions to help them safely navigate a job site. They stand a safe distance from the crane and give verbal and hand signals to direct the operator when to raise and lower the load, where to move, and when to stop.
Think of that time you had to back your car up into a spot and you had a buddy stand outside and tell you where to steer and when to stop. That’s what a signal person does for a crane operator.
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Riggers and signal persons play a crucial role in ensuring safe crane operation and a productive job site. While they aren’t driving the crane themselves, they make sure the crane operator can complete their job properly while keeping others on the job site safe.
Proper rigging and signaling can be the difference between a successful load transfer and a disaster, and extensive training can provide the following benefits:
1. Safety & Preventing Accidents
Worker safety is the top priority on a busy construction site. With so much going on at once and a variety of dangerous equipment and tools, keeping people safe and preventing accidents is crucial. You want to do everything you can to protect yourself and others so everybody can go home safely at the end of a long work day.
Correct rigging and signaling prevent collisions and catastrophic crane breakdowns that can lead to serious injuries. Extensive training ensures workers know the proper protocol and how to safely complete their jobs.
2. Compliance With OSHA Standards
Every piece of equipment on a job site has strict regulations and standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). From forklifts to cranes, these regulations protect workers and help prevent an unsafe working environment. If a job site fails to abide by OSHA standards, this can create serious complications that can bring a project to a screeching halt.
Rigging and signaling training ensures every step of crane operations abides by these regulations. Many rigging and signaling training programs offer additional OSHA courses that teach workers the guidelines set by the organization.
3. Protecting Equipment
Proper training and understanding of how cranes work not only prevent serious personal injuries, but also help protect the equipment from unnecessary damage. Recklessly operating a crane on a job site without proper rigging can damage the crane and the load it’s carrying. Damaged property can cost a project in both broken goods and time to repair or replace the equipment.
Poor signaling can lead to a collision with other equipment or nearby property, which also threatens the safety and productivity of the job site. Proper training for both rigging and signaling can prevent simple mistakes that can lead to damaged or broken equipment.
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A team that knows what they’re doing and how to do it efficiently keeps a job site running smoothly and improves productivity. A job moves much quicker when the rigger, crane operator, and signaler are on the same page and know how to do their jobs.
Proper training can also improve job site communication and teamwork. Clear and direct communication between team members makes each step of the rigging and moving process harmonious and smooth, boosting efficiency and teamwork.
5. Building Confidence and Expertise
A worker who understands what they are doing and has received extensive job training will have more confidence in their work. A rigger who knows about weight distribution, crane movements, sling angles, and load weight calculations is going to better load and rig a crane for transport than an individual who learns on their first day of the job.
Investing in worker training and education also improves their expertise and job retention. If a person feels properly trained and onboarded for a job, they may feel more inclined to stay at that job for longer.
What To Look for in a Rigging and Signaling Training Program?
Whether you’re looking for in-person classes or an online training program, look for a rigging and signaling training program that includes:
- OSHA Compliance Training: A high-quality training program includes going over specific OSHA regulations for common job site equipment as well as proper rigging and signaling.
- Qualified Instructors: The teachers you learn from should be experienced in working as riggers or signalers, and they need to have the proper certifications for the equipment they’re educating on.
- A Variety of Teaching Methods: Signaling and rigging training should be a balance of in-class education and practical hands-on learning. It’s one thing to learn about rigging from a textbook—it’s entirely different to practice doing it in a training environment.
Get Started On the Path to a New Career With HEC
Rigging and signaling training ensures you’re ready to get to work as a rigger or signal person while keeping yourself and others safe. When you’re looking for an accredited institution to get your certifications and training, look no further than Heavy Equipment Colleges of America.
Our extensive programs range from fixed cab crane operations to forklift certifications. Get in touch with one of our admissions representatives to learn more about our application process and begin your career as a heavy equipment operator.
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