Ensuring a safe and successful lift is one of the biggest priorities in crane operations. Unfortunately, crane accidents are inevitable—and when it comes to liability, we often face ambiguity.
One of the biggest realms of uncertainty is rigger responsibility.
For a long time, our industry lacked a clear definition of the rigger’s role and duties. We look to two principal sources of information to provide rigger responsibilities and equipment requirements:
Together, they provide a holistic perspective on the jobsite responsibilities of riggers, as well as equipment inspection standards. Crane operations are never one-size-fits-all, but by knowing the official rigger responsibilities, your company can better navigate liability in the event of a crane incident.
At a glance
A closer look
This OSHA standard outlines inspection criteria for material-handling rigging equipment. The standard states:
Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each lift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it is safe. Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service.
Though the standard addresses everything from minimum sling lengths to safe operating temperatures, it doesn’t provide clear answers to the question of rigger responsibility.
At a glance
B30.5 is one of ASME’s most-requested standards. Companies in the building, construction, and crane industries are constantly reviewing B30.5 because it provides widespread clarification on crane operation crews’ roles and responsibilities.
A Closer Look
In 2018, ASME published its latest version of the B30.5 standards, including a section on rigger responsibilities.
Chapter 5-3 of ASME B30.5 states that riggers at a load-handling activity are, at a minimum, responsible for the following:
For those of us who cultivate on-site cultures of safety and incident prevention among crane operator crews, these new standards provide a significant step towards guidance and clarity. By knowing ASME B30.5 and OSHA Standard 1926.251 inside and out, you and your team can work towards better, safer, and more thorough risk management.