Lifting & Rigging

Lifting and rigging work carries some of the highest-risk hazards on any construction or industrial site, and most incidents happen when loads are misjudged, hardware is worn, or communication breaks down.

Sling & Hardware Inspection

Checks slings, shackles, and hooks for wear, damage, and proper working load limits before every lift.

Rigging gear fails when it’s worn, overloaded, or used past its service life. Every lift starts with inspecting slings, shackles, hooks, and hardware for cuts, kinks, corrosion, damaged tags, or stretched components. If a tag is missing, the sling is out of service, no exceptions.

Hardware must match the working load limit (WLL) for the lift, and questionable gear should be removed immediately. ASME B30.9 and OSHA guidelines offer clear inspection criteria that prevent catastrophic failure on the job.

Load Weight, Center of Gravity & Lift Planning

Ensures crews understand load weight, balance, and angle forces before lifting to prevent tipping or shifting.

Most dropped loads happen because crews misjudge weight or fail to account for the center of gravity (COG). A lift should never begin until workers understand load weight, balance points, lifting angles, rigging configuration, and how the load will behave once tension is applied.

Even simple lifts require a quick plan; complex lifts demand documented lift plans, barricades, and spotters. OSHA, ASME, and manufacturer charts provide accurate weight and angle calculations that eliminate guesswork.

Taglines, Spotters & Load Control

Uses taglines and spotters to guide suspended loads safely and keep workers out of danger zones.

Controlling the load is just as important as lifting it. Taglines help guide suspended loads, prevent spinning, and keep workers out of the fall zone. Spotters maintain clear communication with the operator and control the movement path.

No one should ever walk under or beside a suspended load, and only designated spotters should be within the immediate lift area. Proper load control prevents pinches, impacts, and unexpected swings.

Hand Signals, Communication & Operator Awareness

Poor communication is one of the leading causes of lifting incidents. Operators rely on clear, standardized hand signals, consistent radio commands, and one designated signal person. Mixed instructions or multiple people yelling directions guarantee mistakes. Crews must use ASME standard signals, maintain eye contact when possible, and stop the lift immediately if communication is lost. A lift only moves as safely as the people communicating around it.

Uses standardized signals and clear communication to keep lifts controlled, predictable, and safe.