Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rigging

When you talk about crane and rigging services, a lot of attention is paid to the cranes. That’s easy to understand: cranes are big, impressive pieces of equipment capable of lifting really heavy things. But a crane without a rigging crew isn’t going to get anything done. In this article, we’re going to focus on the unsung heroes of our industry: the riggers.

What is Rigging?

In the simplest possible terms, rigging is what attaches the load being lifted to the crane that’s lifting it. This sounds a lot easier than it actually is. In order to lift a load properly, the loads must be balanced and secure. Many loads are very heavy and strangely shaped. It’s important that they’re rigged in such a way that they don’t shift out of position while being lifted – even if the wind is blowing or conditions are less than ideal. The consequences of failure are extremely high: if a multi-ton load is ever dropped, property will be damaged, and people can get hurt.

Riggers use shackles, clamps, and other fasteners to attach loads to the chains, cables or straps that are connected to the crane. There’s a lot of engineering involved to make sure everything’s rigged properly.

Training to Become a Master Rigger

Qualified riggers must go through a lot of training in order to become a Master Rigger. A New York Master Rigger is in charge of all of the riggers on a job site. They also supervise lifts and are responsible for ensuring that loads are secured properly. To apply for a New York Master Rigger license,  applicants must complete a mandatory 30-hour training course. You must also have five years’ experience, pass a written exam, a practical exam, and a background check.

L&M Crane & Rigging

All of our riggers are experienced professionals who are qualified to work in Long Island, all 5 boroughs and the greater NY area, including New Jersey! They’re committed to getting the job done right and are a vital part of our team.