If you’re considering a career in the rigging industry, you can count on hands-on work experience and numerous employment opportunities in manufacturing, mining, logistics, construction and a wide range of other industries.
As a rigger, you’ll work with machinery and equipment to move heavy loads, materials, and supplies.
Let’s explore rigging as a career and discover what skills and licenses you require to start.
What does rigging involve?
Rigging refers to securing, moving, and setting down a load using the right mechanical equipment.
A rigger’s primary function involves lifting, moving, and placing heavy or oversized loads, equipment, or machinery. They use machinery such as winch systems and chain blocks or equipment such as:
- Trucks
- Hydraulic jacks
- Dollies
- Pulleys, and
- Cranes to move loads
You’ll need a comprehensive understanding of factors surrounding load movement and safety procedures before, during, and after the process.
What are the tasks and responsibilities of a rigger?
Rigging work covers multiple sectors, but the tasks are often similar. They include:
1. Equipment Selection
Riggers select the appropriate equipment depending on the specific task and inspect it to ensure safety and proper functionality. This requires evaluating loads depending on the size, weight, and shape to determine the best lifting method.
2. Inspection and Testing of Machinery and Equipment
A crucial part of rigging work is conducting tests and inspections on the rigging hardware and equipment for safety purposes.
3. Operating Rigging Equipment
A rigger attaches sling equipment on a load, operates machinery such as pulleys once the load is secure, and moves it to the preferred location.
4. Building Temporary Structures
Riggers are responsible for setting up cranes and booms, and they help to adjust the height on tower cranes. When building scaffolding, they also help to lift, position and bolt the pre-fabricated parts.
5. Compliance with Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Procedures
A career in rigging calls for a high level of responsibility due to the risk of severe damage or injury. As a rigger, you must know how to safely prepare loads for movement, and also understand how to dismantle any equipment that poses a safety risk.
What licenses do I need for rigging work?
In Australia, riggers need a license or certification to work. If you’re starting out in the industry, you’ll need to attend the industry-standard course called CPCCLDG3001 Licence to perform Rigging Basic Level (RB) at a registered training organisation (RTO) such as Kallibr Training (RTO 32365) to get the license.
The course covers basic rigging tasks, and there is a pathway to further learning with our intermediate and advanced training courses.
The basic course covers:
- Dogging work
- Structural steel erection
- Particular hoists
- Placement of precast concrete members
- Rigging safety nets and static lines
- Mast climbers
- Perimeter safety screens and shutters
- Cantilevered crane loading platforms
Note that the dogging course is a prerequisite for Basic Rigging.
How long is the rigging course?
Most people studying rigging have previous background or experience that helps fast track the training process. The course itself runs for 5 days, at our Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane training centres.
The best part is that you can also study while gaining the right hands-on experience from work – most employers are willing to accommodate ambitious employees through traineeships.
How do I get a license?
After completing the training course, the next step is to pass an assessment that demonstrates your ability to perform rigging tasks safely.
Once you’ve successfully passed the assessment, you can apply to get your high-risk work license from your local WHS authority.
Conclusion
A successful career in rigging is easily achievable due to the numerous growth opportunities. It’s best to have the right qualifications to give you an edge in the competitive job market.
Starting with a basic rigging course jump-starts your career since you can advance your education level over time, adding on intermediate and advanced skills as you move up the ranks in your job. You’ll be well-experienced to switch to a different industry or a better, more complex role.
Kallibr Training is a Registered Training Organisation with some of the best fully equipped facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to ensure realistic worksite training.
Get in touch today for more details regarding the course dates, and prices and be on your way to success as a certified rigger.
