GUIDELINES FOR THE RIGGER:

Guidelines for the Rigger Type of Hitch determines choice of sling

What follows are some useful tips to help Before you select a sling for a specific lift,
riggers do their jobs more efficiently and determine the most effective hitch to do the
safely. Prevailing work rules and government job, protect the load and protect the sling.
regulations place full responsibility for proper
performance upon the rigger, so it is his/her The type of hitch you select may determine
duty to be familiar with the condition and the type of sling that will best do the job, as
capability of all tools and equipment used, as well as the length of sling that will be needed.
well as techniques employed. One basic rule Lifting height, overhead clearance and hook
always applies: Always know, never guess. travel will affect the hitch selection and sling
length.
Each lift may be divided into three parts,
providing a convenient plan for successful Select slings that will best support the load
rigging: while providing adequate rated capacity. The
proper choice will provide:
1. The Lifting Device: Know its capability,
limitations 1. Lifting capacity needed.
and condition. When was the lifting device last 2. Proper D/d Ratio.
inspected? If in doubt about capacity, check 3. Handling characteristics needed for rigging.
the placard or other appropriate records. 4. Minimal damage to the sling.
2. The Hitch: Here is where the rigger can 5. Minimal damage to the load.
exercise ingenuity, but it is also the easiest
place to make a mistake.
3. The Load: The weight must be known. You
must also protect the load from possible
damage by the slings and protect the slings
from damage by the load.

Is the lifting device

adequate?
Check the placard on the crane or hoist, and
then answer three questions:
1. Is capacity adequate for this lift?
2. Will it lift high enough?
3. Is the horizontal reach adequate?
Check hooks & reeving
1. Are sheaves properly rigged? If multi-part
reeving,
will it support the load?
2. Is the hook the right size so sling eyes won’t
be
distorted when placed over the hook?
3. Check for cracks in bowl of the hook and
for
evidence of point loading or bending.

Further Guidelines for the Rigger

Protect slings during the lift with blocking or

padding that is adequate to prevent sling or
When lifting a bundled load, a choke is more
load damage.
effective than a basket hitch to provide control
and prevent slipping of the load in the sling.
Odd numbers of rounded objects will nestle as
even numbers tend to slide out. If practical use
more than one sling and employ a double
wrap choke hitch. Please Note: One sling is
 depicted for illustration
purposes only.

Use a spreader bar between sling legs to

prevent excessive side pressure on the load
Use a double wrap choke hitch around the
from sling contact during the lift. One sling in
load for 360° load contact, to prevent load
is depicted for illustration purposes only.
slippage. Please Note: One sling is depicted
for illustration
purposes only.

When attaching slings to eye bolts, always pull

in line with the bolt axis. A side pull may
break the eye bolts. Eye bolts without Use blocking or padding to protect hollow
shoulders cannot be used for angular lifting. vessels, loose bundles and fragile items from
scuffing and bending. Remember, blocking
becomes part of the load and must be added to
the total load weight. Please Note: One sling
is depicted for illustration purposes only.

Use a shackle in sling eyes during a choke to

protect sling body against excessive distortion.
Always put shackle pin through sling eye,
rather than against the sling body. If the
shackle is installed incorrectly the sliding
movement of the sling body could rotate and When lifting crates or wooden boxes in a
disengage the shackle pin. basket hitch, be sure the load can withstand
A sliding hook choker is superior to a shackle side pressure as sling tension is applied. Use
or unprotected eye, since it provides a greater spreader bars and sling protection to prevent
bending radius for the sling body. damage.
You can improve the angle of a choke with Two slings rigged in a basket hitch provide
blocking between the hitch and the load. The better balance for loads. Be sure that slings
angle of choke increases, improving sling cannot slide along the load when the lift is
efficiency. Please Note: One sling is depicted made and use extreme caution.
for illustration purposes only.

Hand-spliced slings should not be

used in lifts where slings may rotate and cause
the wire rope to unlay.
An equalizing bar with two slings rigged in a
basket hitch reduces the tendency of slings to Use taglines to prevent load rotation. The
slide and keeps the load level. By adjusting the further from the load’s center of gravity the
lifting point and using a Lever Hoist to support tag line is placed, the greater degree of control
the heavy end, the load can be kept level with less effort is realized.
during the lift.

When rigging two or more slings as a bridle,

select identical sling constructions and lengths
with identical previous loading experience.
Sling stretch must be the same for paired
slings to avoid overloading individual legs and
to provide load control.

To locate the approximate Center of Gravity

 of an irregularly shaped article, visualize it
enclosed by a rectangle. Where diagonals
from opposite corners intersect will usually
indicate a location for a lift point near the
Center of Gravity.
The
Center of Gravity for rectangular objects with
homogeneous characteristics will usually be
below the junction of lines drawn diagonally
from opposite corners. When a rectangular
object has weight concentrated at one end, the
Center of Gravity will be situated toward that
end – away from the intersection of diagonal
lines. To avoid an unbalanced lift, the lifting
hook must be rigged directly above the Center
of Gravity.

To turn or reposition a load, either one or two

lifting devices may be employed. Always use
a choker hitch. Never attempt to turn a load
with a basket, since the load will slide against
the sling body, resulting in damage to both the
sling and load.
One Hook Turning Two Hook Turning
Two-hook turning is employed when it is
desired to turn the load in the air. Main and
auxiliary hoists of a crane can be used, if
permitted or two cranes can be used.

To turn a load with one hook, attach the sling

directly to the load ABOVE the Center of
Gravity. The lifting hook must be able to
To turn from side (A) to (B) in 1 & 2 above,
move, or travel, in the direction of the turn to
 attach to side (B) above the Center of Gravity
and to side (D) at the Center of Gravity, then
lift both hoists equally until load is suspended.
Lower until turn is completed.

prevent sliding of the load’s pivot edge as the

load leaves the ground. It may be necessary to
lift the load again to reposition it after the turn
is completed. Irregular shapes sometimes will
require blocking for support during and after
the turn.
To turn from side (B) to (C) in 3 & 4 above,
lift balanced load at (D) directly above the
Center of Gravity; then auxiliary at (B) to
desired position. Lower both hooks
simultaneously until side (C) is in desired
position.

Lifting unbalanced loads when exact length

slings are not available can be accomplished
by rigging an adjustable hitch on the heavy
end. Sling length can be adjusted before
weight is applied, but once sling loading
occurs, the hitch is locked in position for the
lift. Turning with a double choker gives good
control. To rig, place both eyes on top of load,
pointing opposite the direction of turn. Body
of sling is then passed under load, through
both eyes and over lifting hook. Blocking
should be used under the load to protect sling
and facilitate removal.