Qualified Rigging & Signal Person

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Duration:  2 Hours (Awareness)  4 Hours (Qualified)

Target Audience: Riggers, signal persons, crane operators, supervisors

Regulatory Basis:

• Title 8 CCR § 1618 (Crane and Derrick Operations)
• Title 8 CCR § 5006.1 (Signals – Hand, Voice, Radio)
• Title 8 CCR § 4999–5007 (Cranes & Derricks – General Industry/Construction overlap)
• Title 8 CCR § 3203 (IIPP training requirements)

Learning Objective:
Ensure workers can safely rig loads, communicate effectively with operators, and comply with Cal/OSHA requirements to prevent struck-by, caught-in, and dropped load incidents.

• Role of riggers and signal persons
• Common causes of rigging failures and crane accidents
• Responsibilities under Cal/OSHA
• Importance of communication and teamwork

• When a qualified rigger is required:
  • Assembly/disassembly of cranes
  • Hoisting activities where employees are exposed
• When a signal person is required:
  • Operator’s view is obstructed
  • Hazardous operations
• Definitions:
  • Qualified Person
  • Competent Person

• Load dynamics:
  • Center of gravity
  • Load stability
  • Balance and control
• Working load limits (WLL)
• Safety factors
• Effects of sling angles on load tension

• Types of slings:
  • Wire rope
  • Chain
  • Synthetic (nylon/polyester)
• Hardware:
  • Shackles
  • Hooks
  • Eyebolts
  • Turnbuckles
• Identification tags and capacity markings

• Common hitches:
  • Vertical
  • Basket
  • Choker
• Proper selection based on load type
• Load protection (edge protection, padding)
• Load control techniques (tag lines)

• Pre-use sling and hardware inspections
• Removal criteria:
  • Broken wires
  • Cuts, burns, deformation
• Documentation and inspection frequency
• Responsibilities of the qualified rigger

• Pre-lift planning:
  • Load weight determination
  • Equipment selection
  • Lift path assessment
• Critical lifts (high-risk lifts)
• Environmental factors:
  • Wind
  • Weather
  • Ground conditions
• Avoiding common hazards:
  • Shock loading
  • Side loading

• Basic crane types and capabilities
• Operator limitations and blind spots
• Load charts (basic understanding)
• Communication between rigger and operator

• Standard hand signals (per Cal/OSHA/ANSI)
• Voice and radio communication protocols
• Maintaining line of sight
• Emergency stop signal (universal authority)