The Benefits Of Crane Riggers

Posted on: 10 March 2022

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If you happen to hire a crane, the rental company could ask you to consider the services of a crane rigger. However, many contractors and home builders presume that the crane operator is the only professional needed to operate the crane. So, why would one require a crane rigger? The extract below details the benefits of crane riggers. 

Crane Setup

You need to conduct thorough assessments before bringing or installing a crane at your construction site. For example, you must identify the risks, an appropriate installation location and a suitable type of crane. Given that you are not experienced in crane operations, it could be challenging for you to conduct these assessments. A crane rigger visits your site a few days before the crane arrives. Typically, they examine the soil conditions and terrain to determine where best to erect the crane. Besides, they look out for risks such as high winds, power lines and nearby installations. Finally, they check how you intend to use the crane. For example, what will you lift? How high will you raise the loads? This analysis will help the rigger determine which crane suits your site operations. 

Crane Inspections

Minor crane defects can cause accidents. Once the crane is installed at the site, the rigger conducts regular inspections and documents the condition of the crane. It helps the rigger detect problems at an early stage. For instance, a wire rope with signs of corrosion might not be a red flag at first. However, the rigger regularly examines the diameter of the rope to establish wear. If it exceeds a specified diameter, the rigger will ask the rental company to replace the rope since it could easily give in when under load. 

Crane Safety 

In most cases, your employees at the site, such as truck drivers, bricklayers, plumbers and electricians, may not have a clue about crane operation. However, they will continue with their daily operations as the crane works. The crane rigger acquaints them with the basics of crane operations to ensure their safety while the crane is in use. For example, they will inform them about the crane's swing angle and how to know when the crane is in use. Besides, the rigger prohibits dangerous behaviour such as walking under a moving crane or towards the boom's swing angle. Moreover, the rigger educates employees on how to signal the crane operator if they identify a crane defect.  

Crane riggers aid in crane setup, inspections and promote crane safety. When hiring a rigger, assess their experience and licencing to ensure they can rig the crane at the site. 

Contact a rigging service to learn more about crane riggers.