SAFEview
Creating a
Rigging Plan
The Rigging Plans shown have been drawn with
Autocad software and show a lot of detail which is
not always necessary in a correct Rigging Plan.
See Fig 4 as an example of the same Rigging Plan
but without the details of the main boom, carbody
and spreader beam.
Before you even
start to set up
your lifting
equipment youd
better make sure
youve got your
rigging plan
absolutely right.
Richard
Krabbendam offers
some guidance on
how to get it spot on.
rigging plan is an absolute
necessity for a safe and wellexecuted lifting job. Here
in The Netherlands the
construction industry has recognised the importance of a well-prepared rigging
plan and has even established its own training
centre where crane supervisors learn the basics of
how a rigging plan should be prepared. The centre is part of the larger SBW facility, which covers
all kinds of infrastructure construction.
Of course today there are several software
packages available where rigging studies can be
easily prepared and tailored precisely to the specific crane model being used on the job. There is
no doubt that these programs are of great help
to the industry. However, they should not be
relied on solely. In the field a computer is not
always available and if a crane supervisor is to
understand a rigging plan, then he/she must be
able to prepare a simple rigging plan with a sheet
of paper, a ruler and a pencil.
Whilst it is true that a simple lifting job does
not require a lifting plan, it is hard to say exactly
what constitutes a simple job. A small lift from a
narrow position at a long radius can be just as
March 2002 International Cranes 35
complicated as a large lift at a short radius with
no surrounding obstacles.
For many people in the industry this article is
simply about writing down information that is
already known. It is for people that want to
increase the safety levels of operations by helping
them prepare a detailed rigging plan which can
help operators and supervisors set the crane in
the correct position.
The principles described here below apply
equally to a simple rigging study carried out by
hand or a detailed study prepared using sophisticated CAD software or other modern techniques. But before we start drawing we must
think of what we are going to put on paper and
in what format we are going to lay it out. In
other words, how do we layout a rigging study?
Should the overhead (plan) view and the side
view (elevation) fit on the same piece of paper?
What scale should be used? Should the paper be
used in the portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) position? Where should we place the
logo/information box, in which we identify the
drawing number as well as describing the project
being drawn as well as the scale in which it is
being drawn. So before even one line is put on
the paper you must: Think, Think and Think
again.
SAFEview
The layout of the drawing will depend greatly
on the project being represented. Personally, I
am a great believer in a rigging plan that has all
the relevant information on one sheet of paper.
To make things easier for those preparing a rigging plan I have compiled the following list of all
the things that should be considered:
1. Layout
Logo/information box should be in the
bottom right hand corner if possible.
The Side View (elevation) and Top View
(plan) should be on the same sheet of paper if
possible.
Think carefully about what scale drawings
should be done.
Where can you place all the lifting
information?
2. Logo/Information box
The logo should ideally be in the bottom right
hand corner and give information on the
following points:
Name of the contractor
that carries out the job.
Name of the client and
also the project.
Scale:
Date:
Drawn by:
Checked by:
Drawing No.:
Revision:
Of course a lot of other things
could be mentioned in the
Logo/Information box, but
the most important points are
listed above.
5. Information about the load
Specify in detail:
Weight of the load in metric tonnes, pounds
or short tons.
Overall dimensions of load.
Location and dimensions of transport
saddles/support points in relation to the centre
of gravity (COG).
Location of loads COG in relation to the
lifting points/support points.
Dimensions and location of lifting points in
relation to the COG.
6. Information about the job site
Dimensions may be given in
either the International Metric
System (SI) or in the Imperial
System. In the metric system all
drawing dimensions are given in
millimetres (mm) as standard, without ever
specifically stating the units. Remember that
1000 mm = 1 m. If other units are being used
then this must be mentioned (for more
information on units see my previous Safe View
articles in IC September 2001 and November
2001). In any Rigging Plan it is essential that, at
the very least, the following dimensions are
given:
Radius and lifting capacity for each crane
(both main and tail) at the point where the load
is picked.
Radius and lifting capacity for each crane at
the point where the load is set.
The outrigger/crawler base of the crane(s).
Radius of the counterweight (or Superlift
tray, or radius of the A-frame).
Position of each crane in relation to
foundations or other landmarks.
Type, model or make of crane that is used.
Offset of top sheave, boom length, boom
width etc.
36 International Cranes March 2002
Dimensions and Elevation of foundation(s).
Size and location of foundation bolts and
shim plates.
Location and dimensions of obstacles which
include (but are not limited to):
Drainage and sewer pipes under ground.
Light and telephone poles.
High tension lines.
Pipe racks and underground pipelines.
Allowable ground pressure.
Surrounding structures etc.
3. Dimensions
Centre lines of loads, foundations, crane(s)
etc.
Dimensions and locations of obstacles which
could interfere with the lifting of the load
Dimensions and details of load spreading
mats.
4. Lifting information
Specify in detail:
Radius and capacity of main crane at load
pick-up and set down points.
Radius and capacity of tailing crane at load
pick-up and set down points.
Length and WLL (Work Load Limit) of
slings used for both main crane(s) as well as tail
crane(s).
WLL of shackles used on the project.
Lifting lug details (hole diameter, trunion
size etc) in relation to shackle and sling
dimensions.
Dimensions and WLL of spreader and lifting
beams.
Richard Krabbendam
is heavy lift consultant
with the Jumbo group
of companies, based
in The Netherlands.
He has a Masters
Degree in Mechanical
Engineering from the
Technical University of
Delft and was project manager with
Van Seumeren Holland (now
Mammoet) until 1989. He has been in
the heavy lift and transportation
industry since 1973.
