Mostly for trenching contractors. johnanewquist@gmail.com

1. Rigging Safety
johnanewquist@gmail.com
Draft 3 12 2020
1

2. Hard Hats
• April 4, 2010
• “chain broke and whipped back”
• “scared the heck out of me”
• “that was a BUNCH of weight
hittin me”
• “hard hat saved me”
2

3. January 2015
• One company
• Two box knife cuts
• One stripping cable
• Another cutting open a
box toward him
3

4. June 2014
• Broken toes.
• Leather work boots.
• No safety toe
• Crane dropped load as
lifted
4

5. Oct 2015
• Steel Beam dropped on
foot.
• 6000 lbs
5

6. MATERIALS STORED TO PREVENT SLIDING FALLING, OR COLLAPSE
9
9
10
17
18
251(a)(2)(i)
250(a)(1)
251(b)(1)
251(a)(1)
252(a)
Materials Handling, Storage, Use & Disposal
[1926.250 – 252]
6
GENERAL RIGGING EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION
EXTERIOR DROP CHUTES
RIGGING EQUIPMENT INSPECTION & REMOVAL FROM SERVICE
WELDED ALLOY STEEL CHAIN SLING IDENTIFICATION
SUBPARTH

7. July 2019

8. Nov 2017
• Indicator that sling is
stretched.
• Slingmax.
8

9. Mar 2018
Officials said reinforcing steel that was being
moved by a crane fell and landed on Michael
Tolman, 56, who was taken to Orlando
Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
He later died
9

10. Spreader bars
10

11. Jan 2018
How would you lift?
4 x 11 foot
300 pounds
5/8 inch
11

12. Jan 2018
Duggan Steel
12

13. Dec 2017
Beaumont TX
24 inch "incident pipe" that killed
Espinoza was more than 25 feet long
and "may have" weighed more than
4,400 pounds.
He said that the strap and hoist
connected to the pipe during the
inspection indicated it could cause the
pipe to swing or rotate.
Yesenia Espinoza, 31, was working on new
construction when the "piping that was
improperly rigged and handled" fatally hit her
in the head, the lawsuit
13

14. Dec 2017 How would you rig?
14

15. May 2018
15

16. June
2019
16

17. Aug 2017
17

18. Jan 2017
Gunnebo Johnson Swivel eye hookCrosby Shur Loc
18

19. Chart
19

20. December 2016
• Chicago IL
• Two finger amputation
20

21. Dec 2016
Kenco Barrier Lift
21

22. Nov 2016
• New York City
• Crane operator George Smith,
47, and worker Elizandro
Ramos, 43, were killed when
the I-beam plummeted onto
the top of the cab in
Briarwood Tuesday.
• Winds were gusting at close to
40 mph at the time – above
the legal city limit of 30 mph
to operate –
• The city officials said that the
rigging rope may have failed.
22

23. Apr 2016
23

24. Feb 2016
• Two workers were killed
when a generator fell on
them at a construction site
in New Jersey Thursday
morning, officials said.
• The five-ton generator fell
on the workers at the site --
a future fire station -- after
a strap on the crane
lowering it snapped,
according to officials with
the Morris County
Prosecutor's Office.
24

25. Feb 2016
25

26. July 2015
• New Jersey Scaffold
• Photo Jimmy Cuellar
26

27. April 2015
• Cheshire NY
• Crane Operator died
• Two of the men working
at the construction site
were shocked by the
electric charge.
• Investigators said the two
men were measuring the
steel beam when the
crane hit the power lines.
27

28. Basic Rigger
• Safely uses and recognizes the limitations of chain, synthetic,
metal mesh, and wire rope slings
• Safely uses and recognizes the limitations of specific rigging
hardware to include: hooks and similar attaching devices,
shackles, wire rope clips, clamps, eyebolts, softeners, and
taglines.
• Identifies common load configurations and positioning and
demonstrates specific knowledge of crane operations
including voice and radio
• Understands personal fall protection methods, emergency
procedures, and hazards and restrictions with working in
proximity to overhead electric lines and equipment
• NCCER.org
28

29. April 2015
• Lifting a piece of pine
about 5 foot long 18
inches across
• “the load made it to the
ground ok the hook of
the biner caught the
strap and held till we
lowered it down.”
29

30. May 2014
• Providence RI
• 8 hurt in fall
• The US Occupational Safety and
Health Administration said the
rigging used put excessive weight
on a carabiner, causing the metal
loop to fail, and the acrobats, who
were hanging by their hair, to fall
15 to 20 feet to t
• According to OSHA, circus staff
violated both industry practice and
the manufacturer’s instructions for
using the carabiner by attaching it
so it was pulled in three directions,
rather than two.
30

31. Key Changes in Z359.1
• Section 3.2.1.4
• Gate face strength
requirements have
changed from 220 lbs.
(1kN) (old Standard) to
3,600 lbs. (16kN) (new
Standard).
31

32. April 2015
• Lifting a stump
grinder.
32

33. April 2015
• Schulyer OH
• The victim, whose name is
being withheld pending
family notification, was
driving a front end loader
while attempting to free a
cement truck that got stuck
by pulling the vehicle with a
chain.
• The chain snapped and
struck the victim.
• He was pronounced dead at
the scene.
How could you free this truck?
33

34. January 2015
• “This is how I read a
manual looking straight
up” – Ryan Ferguson
• “ i don't need to read a
book to know how it
works” – Caleb Pate
34

35. December 2014
• Rigging to move an
aerial lift
• Every lift aerial has
four designated pick
points.
35

36. November 2014
• What issues would a
rigger need to know?
36

37. September
2014
Germany
Lifting a trailer of scaffold
tubes
37

38. August 2014
• $15
• Sold as ½ inch alloy steel
• Supposed to lift 70,000
pounds
• Specifications
• 1) we are factory
2) from 3/8" to 1 3/8"
3) galvanized / red
painted
4) 40Cr steel / stainless
steel
5)mini order accepted
38

39. Nov 2015
39

40. July 2014
• 100,000
pound
transformer
• Each sling is
Kevlar
$90,000
40

41. Storage
• 1926.250(b)(1)
• Material stored inside
buildings under
construction shall not
be placed within 6 feet
of any hoistway or
inside floor openings,
nor within 10 feet of
an exterior wall which
does not extend above
the top of the material
stored
41

42. June 2013
• Officials canceled
work on the St.
Charles County
bridge after a 55-
gallon drum being
lifted by a crane fell
on 51-year-old
Jerseyville IL man.
• He was pronounced
dead at the scene.
42

43. Drums 2015
43

44. Drums 2015
44

45. Drums 2015
45

46. Mar 2018
Engineering debris boxes.
2500 pounds capacity.
Proof Tested.
Photo by Lee Jensen sales
46

47. Issues?
47

48. Hit by Pulley
• Event Date: 07/27/2010
• Inspection: 314807090
• Employee #1 was struck in the head by a metal
pulley when the nylon sling to which it was
connected broke.
• The pulley was being used to drag felled trees.
• When the rigging was put under tension, the
nylon sling broke, releasing the pulley, hitting the
employee in the head.
• 50 M
48

49. Jan 2018
• An employee was checking the
rigging on a rig.
• His hand was on a sling that was
lifting a piece of pipe when his right
hand was caught between the sling
and the pipe.
• His right little finger had to be
surgically amputated.
49

50. Pipe Fell
• Event Date: 04/29/2010
• Inspection: 314409277
• An employee was struck on the
head by a drilling pipe which
resulted in fatal injuries.
• The employee rigged a 20 foot
section of pipe and as it was
being lifted by the operator, the
pipe came loose from the rigging
and fell approximately 10 to 15
feet onto the head of the
employee.
• The employee died as a result of
his injuries.
• 50 M Fatality
•
50

51. Definitions
Birdcage damage

52. Definitions
Name Description Visual
Hitch “Basket” Loading with the sling
passed under the load
and both ends on the
hook or a single master
link.
Hitch “Choker” Loading with the sling
passed through one eye
and suspended by the
other.
Hitch “Vertical” Loading with the load
suspended vertically on
a single part or leg of
the sling.

53. Definitions
Master link – a steel link or ring used to support all
legs of a chain or wire rope sling.
Must have identifiers such as:
Grade: 800
Working Load Limit: 3,600 lbs
Size: 13/32"

54. Definitions
• Kinked Sling
54

55. Definitions
Rated capacity – the maximum allowable working load.

56. Definitions
Mechanical Splice 56

57. Definitions
Hand Tucked Eye Splice
57

58. Definitions
Swaged Forged Eye 58

59. Definitions
Wire rope – consists of many individual wires laid
into a number of strands which are in turn, laid
around a center core.

60. Definitions
• One wire rope lay
60

61. 10 Rules for Rigging Safety #1
• Know the weight of the load
• Concrete slab
• Steel Beam
• Concrete form
• Tree
61

62. Bulk Density
• Building material Unit weight
– Aluminum: 171 pounds per cubic foot
– Cast Iron: 450 pounds per cubic foot
– Cement: 94 pounds per cubic foot
– Concrete: 150 pounds per cubic foot
– Crushed Stone: 2,500 pounds per cubic yard
– Gravel: 2,700 pounds per cubic yard
62

63. Bulk Density
• Steel plate thickness is
One inch to 40#/square
foot
• What would this plate
weigh?
63

64. 64

65. Volume & Area Formulas

66. 2013
• The NRC has now concluded that
Entergy "approved a design for
the temporary hoisting assembly
that was not supported by
detailed drawings, specifications,
evaluations and/or certifications.“
• In addition, Entergy failed to
review associated calculations to
ensure that the assembly was
designed to support the
projected load.
• It also failed to carry out a load
test on the lifting assembly in all
configurations for which it would
be used.
The stator weighed 525
tons.
66

67. 10 Rules for Rigging Safety #2
• Know the center of
gravity of the load.
67

68. Center of Gravity
A load is stable when:
– The hook is directly above the center of gravity of the
load
Estimate the center of gravity
Lift the load just enough to clear the ground
If the hook is not over the center of gravity the hook
will travel to the center of gravity
CG?
68

69. Center of Gravity
If necessary, set the load down and adjust the
rigging
If the load tips more than 3°, the rigging should be
adjusted
The longer the sling legs, the more stable the load
will be
The longer set of sling
legs (B) will improve load
stability
B
A
69

70. In this situation, before raising the section, all
personnel are kept clear of the section and the
section is first raised a few inches to determine
whether it tips when raised (if it did tip,
it would indicate it is not rigged over the
center of gravity). If this occurs, the hoist line is
repositioned and the procedure repeated (with
employees kept clear of the section while it is
raised) until the A/D director determines that
it is rigged over the center of gravity and can
be moved into place without dangerous
movement. App C of Crane Std
70

71. May 2015
Issues?
71

72. May 2015
• Amesbury MA bridge
72

73. How Would You Rig This?
Would it matter if
the tank were full
or empty?
How would you rig
this?

74. Rules for Rigging Safety
• Know the rated capacity
of slings and hardware.
74

75. Rules for Rigging Safety
• Inspect all rigging
before use.
1926.251(a)(6) shall be
inspected for damage or
defects by a competent
person every shift (CHST)
75

76. Crosby
76

77. June 2016
Photo Mike Parnell 77

78. November 2014
• Crane next to sheeting
• 8 foot x 8 foot pads
with max load of
125,000 pounds per
pad
• 164,000 pounds max
load per chart
• What information is
needed?
78

79. Rigging equipment for material handling
• Synthetic webbing (nylon, polyester, and
polypropylene)
• Remove from service immediately if:
– Acid or caustic burns
– Melting or charring of any
part of the sling surface
– Snags, punctures, tears
or cuts
– Broken or worn stitches
– Distortion of fittings
79

80. Synthetic Slings
Sling capacity varies from manufacturer to
manufacturer.
Competent person must look at Individual Sling
Capacity Tag to determine Safe Lifting Capacity of
that sling.
If the Tag is not readable or is missing, Do not
use it!
Inspect sling before each days use, and as often
as necessary during the day to assure safety of
sling!
Sharp edges can slice a sling in two without
warning as the load is tensioned. Use softeners or
padding on corners.
“If you see red, the sling is dead.”

81. Synthetic Slings
Holes, tears, cuts or snags
81

82. Synthetic Slings
Knots
82

83. Synthetic Slings
Cuts
83

84. Inspection
• Wire rope and synthetic slings
addressed in the B30.9 ASME
standard require:
• 1. Documented periodic
inspection at least annually, but
condition of individual slings not
required..
• 2. Periodic inspection at least
annually but written records not
required
• 3. Visual Inspection minimum of
weekly
• 4. None of the above
• 9-6.9.3 Periodic Inspection
• (d) Documentation that the most
recent periodic inspection was
performed and shall be maintained.
• (e) Inspection records of individual
slings are not required.
84

85. Rigging Safety
• Allow for D/d ratio on all wire rope slings.
85

86. Rigging equipment for material handling
D
d
D/d Ratio
D - is diameter around
which sling is bent.
d - is diameter of the
sling.
86

87. D/d Ratio
Some wire rope sling manufacturers require a D/d ratio of
25 for a basket hitch.
87

88. D/d ratio hooks
• What D/d ratio would
you use?
88

89. D/d Ratio Snatch Blocks
The minimum D/d ratio
for snatch blocks per
ASME B30.26 is:
• 1. 6 to 1
• 2. 8 to 1
• 3. 10 to 1.
• 4. 15 to 1
89

90. Wire Rope Sling Choker Adjustments
90

91. Thimbles
• Can be ordered
91

92. Rigging
• Protect sling from sharp surfaces
• Dekalb accident 1997
• Employees were positioning a 22,000 pound
generator with the use of a truck-mounted
crane and four synthetic web slings.
• While the employees were moving the
generator, the slings contacted a steel purlin
and were cut.
• The generator fell and rolled onto the
employees.
• Employee #1 suffered fatal internal injuries.
• Employee #2 suffered back injuries and was
hospitalized.
• Photo is an example
92

93. Rigging Safety
• Know the proper crane signals
• A signal person is required
when:
• The point of operation is not in
full view of the operator
(1926.1419(a)).
• The operator’s view is
obstructed in the direction the
equipment is traveling.
• Either the operator or the
person handling the load
determines that a signal
person is needed because of
site-specific safety concerns.
93

94. Rigging Protection From
Cutting or Slipping
Softeners, padding or use of blocking..

95. Softeners
95

96. Note: A good operating practice is to keep sling angles from
going below 60 degrees
1000 LBS 1000 LBS 1000 LBS 1000 LBS
500LBS
500LBS
1000 LBS 1000 LBS
90 60° 45° 30°
Rigging Safety
Proper calculation of increased tension caused by
sling angles (on all rigging components!).
96

97. Loss Factor
97

98. Rigging Safety
• Keep personnel clear
from lift area.
• 1926.953(d) requires
taglines on any load
“where hazards to
employees exist” in
order to keep the loads
under control
98

99. Rigging Safety
• Calculate reductions
when using choker hitch
99

100. Bridle Slings
As a general industry practice,
a four-legged wire rope or
synthetic bridle assembly is
usually tagged with the
capacity based on:
• 1. Three of the four legs
carrying the load
• 2. Two of the four legs
carrying the load
• 3. All four legs carrying the
load…
• 4. None of the above
100

101. Bridle Slings
• Four-legged chain sling
bridle assemblies
generally have a capacity
on their tag based on:
• 1. Three of the four legs
carrying the load..
• 2. Two of the four legs
carrying the load
• 3. All four legs carrying
the load
• 4. None of the above
101

102. Chain Slings
Only Grade 8 or better Alloy Chain can be used for overhead lifting
purposes! All chain is not rated the same!
Chain must have a capacity tag attached to it.
Chains will withstand more rough handling and abuse, but a chain
with the same rated lifting capacity of wire rope will be much
larger in diameter and heavier in weight

103. Chain Slings 2015
103

104. Chain Slings
• Four grades:
– Grade 28 General Utility Chain
– Grade 43 High Test Chain
– Grade 70 Binding Chain
– Grade 80 Alloy Steel Chain: The only one used for overhead
lifting
G 80
104

105. Chain Minimum Thickness
• Table H-1 in
1926.251
• Use Mfr if
available.
105

106. Alloy Steel Chain Slings
• All Slings
Permanently affixed durable
identification stating
• Size
• Grade
• Rated capacity
• Sling manufacturer
• Table H-1 for wear
106

107. Wire Rope
107

108. Wire Rope
• 1926.251(c)(4)(iv)
• Wire rope shall not be
used if, in any length of
eight diameters, the
total number of visible
broken wires exceeds 10
percent of the total
number of wires, or if
the rope shows other
signs of excessive wear,
corrosion, or defect.
108

109. Wire Rope Slings Industry
• For 6-strand wire rope
slings, 10 randomly
distributed broken
wires in one rope lay, or
five broken wires in one
strand of one rope lay
• ASME B30.9
Many are going lower for broken
wire!!!
6 is a removal criteria for some.
109

110. Wire Rope
• 1926.251(c)(2) Protruding ends of strands in
splices on slings and bridles shall be covered
or blunted
110

111. Wire Rope
• 1926.251(c)(4)(iii) Eyes
in wire rope bridles,
slings, or bull wires shall
not be formed by wire
rope clips or knots
111

112. Wire Rope
• 1926.251(c)(16)
• Wire rope slings shall
have permanently affixed,
legible identification
markings stating size,
rated capacity for the
type(s) of hitch(es) used
and the angle upon which
it is based, and the
number of legs if more
than one.
112

113. Hooks
Check for
Cracks and
Twisting
Check for Wear and Cracks
Check for Wear and
Deformation
Signs of
“Opening Up”
Check that
Hook is Not
Twisted
15% 10º
113

114. Shackles
Never replace a shackle
pin with a bolt.
The load will bend the
bolt. 114

115. Shackles
How tight do you tighten a
screw pin shackle?
• 1. Hand tight and back
off ¼ turn
• 2. Hand tight and back
off ½ turn
• 3. Minimum of hand
tight with pin fully
engaged…
• 4. None of the above
115

116. Shackles
Check wear
Check cracks,
bending and
twisting
Check wear and
straightness
Pin always seated
Check opening
width
116

117. Shackles
117

118. Shackles Pins
118

119. Rigging equipment for material handling
Bad Good
Avoid eccentric
loads.
GoodBad
Proper chocking of
shackles.
119

120. Shackles
• In rigging applications,
the maximum included
angle at the top, if a
shackle is used would
be:
• 1. 90 Degrees
• 2. 120 Degrees
• 3. 180 Degrees
• 4. 360 Degrees
120

121. TAGLINES?
1926.953(d)
• Tag line. Where hazards to employees exist
tag lines or other suitable devices shall be
used to control loads being handled by
hoisting equipment.
• Windy conditions.
• To keep long materials from swinging into
the crane booms.
• To keep loads/materials from swinging into
power lines.
• Maneuvering loads through or around tight
spaces.
• Anytime when working around traffic and
pedestrians.
• When performing steel erection.
• When hoisting close to or onto scaffolds.
• When hoisting suspended personnel
platforms, if appropriate.
• Tag lines are particularly
important on large objects
that can catch a lot of wind
and cause the load to rotate.
• When a rotation of the load
would be hazardous.
• When working on any site
when MSHA rules apply (tag
lines on all loads). 121

122. Taglines
TYPES OF MATERIALS USED AS
TAGLINES:
• Nonconductive line: dry
polypropylene rope only (when
used around power lines).
• Do not use electrical extension
cords, wire, air hoses or lanyards
used for fall protection.
• No loops, hooks or knots on the
ends of taglines (they tend to
catch on items).
LENGTH OF TAGLINES:
• Short enough so as not to get
tangled on items being lifted over.
• Long enough to handle
bulky/long loads from the ground
(100% control).
• Long enough to control a load
when landing.
•Never work under the load. Stay clear
until the load is at work level
Do not wrap the tagline around your
hands, arms or body
122

123. Taglines
• Never wrap tagline
around your wrist
123

124. Spreader Bars
• Capacity marked
• Designed for 3x the
marked capacity.
• Proof tested at 125% of
marked capacity.
124

125. IDOT
• The erection plan will also
describe the rigging
attachment points and pre-
attached elements such as
cross frames, diaphragms,
or splice plates.
• The approximate center of
gravity location points
should be provided.
• The type, configuration,
weight, capacity, and
arrangement of all rigging
components should be
described.
• This includes slings, chains,
beam clamps, lifting hooks
and spreader, lifting beams,
or frames.
• Lifting beams when
required should be clearly
detailed, including limiting
angles for cables or slings.
125

126. High Wind
• A wind of such velocity that one
or more of the following hazards
would be present:
• The wind could blow an
employee from an elevated
location,
• The wind could cause an
employee or equipment handling
material to lose control of the
material, or
• The wind would expose an
employee to other hazards not
controlled by the standard
involved.
• Note to the definition of "high
wind": The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration
normally considers winds
exceeding 64.4 kilometers per
hour (40 miles per hour), or 48.3
kilometers per hour (30 miles per
hour) if the work involves
material handling, as meeting this
criteria, unless the employer
takes precautions to protect
employees from the hazardous
effects of the wind.
126

127. Slab Lifting Devices
• Hazards?
127

128. Inspection
• 1926.251(a)(1)
• Rigging equipment for
material handling shall
be inspected prior to
use on each shift and as
necessary during its use
to ensure that it is safe.
• Defective rigging
equipment shall be
removed from service
128

129. Eyebolts
• Eyebolts with shoulder
can be used for vertical
lifts as well as angular lifts
up to 45°.
• However, angular lifts
significantly reduce the
work load.
• For angular lifts,
recommend using
hoist rings.
• Eyebolts without shoulder
are for vertical lifts only.
Sample strength of eyebolt w
shoulder from manufacturer
1/2" 2,400 lbs
A= 1 3/16" B = 1 1/2"
1/2" 2,600 lbs
A = 1 3/16" B = 2 1/2"
129

130. Hoist Rings
• Used when lifting in
several directions.
130

131. Eyebolts
In order to use lift the load in a
two legged rigging triangle
application at 75 degrees, which
of the following would be a true
statement?
• 1. Can use eye bolts if angle is
45 degrees or better.
• 2. All eyebolts must have the
proper capacity
• 3. Use of Hoist Rings is
required.
• 4. Can use shouldered eye
bolts.
131

132. ANSI standards
• ASME non-inspection standards
• ASME B30.5: Mobile and Locomotive Crane
• ASME B30.9: Slings
• ASME B30.10: Hooks
• ASME B30.20: Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices
• ASME B30.26: Rigging Hardware
132

133. Quick Disconnect
• Bucket has no quick
disconnect that locks
• No hard hats worn
despite being only
inches away from the
bucket.

134. Quick Disconnect
• Buckets are falling onto
employees
• Must have a pinned
connection if hydraulic
fails that prevents the
bucket from falling.
134

135. Excavator Lifting
Must follow mfr manual chart 135

136. 1999
136

137. Multiple Lifts
• 1926.753
• Maximum of 5 pieces
• Similar pieces (no
deck bundles)
• Trained rigger
• Crane manufacturer
must not prohibit it
• 7 foot spacing

138. Wrong
138

139. Mar 2014
• Cedar Rapids IA
• Jacob B. "Jake"
Harper, 28, died
Friday after steel
pipes slipped off of a
trailer, struck him
and caused fatal
injuries

140. CERTIFIED RIGGER LEVEL I
• NCCCO.org identified the following job duties for Rigger Level I
certification. A Certified Rigger Level I can perform simple,
repetitive rigging tasks when the load weight, center of gravity, the
rigging, and rigging configuration are provided or known by the
rigger through experience or on-the-job training prior to the rigging
activities. Specifically, Level I Riggers should be able to demonstrate
or have knowledge of how to:
• Inspect rigging before use
• Identify and attach rigging with basic knowledge of hitch
configurations, capacities, and basic knots
• Recognize associated hazards
• Signal operations
• Use various types of rigging equipment and basic hitches and their
applications
140

141. Knots
• Candidates must
demonstrate the
following basic knots:
• Sheet bend
• Clove hitch
• Inside bowline
• Square/reef
• Two half hitches
Two half hitches
141

142. 142

143. November 2014
143

144. Oct 2013
• Oct 2006 incident
• Carriedo was asked to load
materials onto a crane, which was
lifting concrete forms.
• The crane lifted two loads of the
concrete form, which were
stacked one on top of the other.
When the top load was 25 feet
into the air, material from the
load fell off of the crane,
striking Carriedo.
• He sustained injuries to his head
and stomach, as well as other
injuries.
• After four days of trial, the parties
agreed to a settlement of $13
million
Concrete forms in a stack.
144

145. How Many Load Carrying
Components?
145

146. Questions?
146