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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a rigger. Feel free to use our rigger job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a rigger.

 

Who is a Rigger?

A rigger is a professional or individual that is an entity and has mastered the process of rigging. Riggers use ropes to hoist sails in ships and other vessels. Also, rigging involves using cranes and mechanical haulage to move heavy material and equipment from one place to another. The art of rigging is common in the entertainment and telecommunication industries. However, rigging is mostly employed during the manufacturing or production of goods and the construction of bridges, houses, and other structures. Rigging also encompasses the manipulation, balancing, and movement of heavy loads using appropriate efforts. In this article, the definition and scope of riggers will be provided, the specific duties and responsibilities of a rigger will be enumerated, the qualifications and requirements for riggers will be discussed, and the basic rigger skills will be analyzed. Other sections of the article will focus on how to become a rigger, the major employers of riggers, and riggers’ salary scale.

 

Riggers are defined as professionally and meticulously skilled workers that help to lift and move heavy equipment and machinery from one place to another. They work indoors and outdoors and possess physical stamina and fitness. They work and adhere to the occupation and employer’s best practices and safety standards. A rigger uses both motorized devices like cranes or capstan winches and manual devices like pulleys or blocks while working. They use these devices and effort to attach the load, lift, and move heavy machinery as required. He or she might also scaffold, assemble pre-cast facades, and use principles of engineering to move materials on a construction site.

Furthermore, these experts beat obstacles and move the load to the destination or height by using suspension and other techniques. While working, riggers determine the appropriate height or base to safely move these objects; a rigger also ensures the worksite is free and safe from debris and other hazardous substances. In a film set or ship, a rigger aligns and anchors the equipment, attaches the load, controls the motion of materials, and ensures everything is safe for the operation. Relatively, they help create action scenes by hoisting and moving actors to make them fly or fall. In the oil and gas sector, a rigger experiences isolation, crispness, and harsh atmospheric conditions.

Additionally, a rigger works contrasting schedules. They may work 40 hours or more a week in some settings. Weekend and overtime work are also applicable. Sometimes, they travel to several locations or worksites to get the job done. Riggers in telecommunication receive calls and maneuver equipment and devices to communicate and respond to emergencies.

                               

Rigger Job Description

Below are the rigger job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a rigger job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The duties and responsibilities of a rigger include the following:

• Determine the appropriate load of materials or equipment to select the right tools to use for movement.
• Fasten relevant tools and slings to the load for lifting.
• Work in accordance with industry and occupational best practices.
• Ensure lifting, movement, and adjustments are done based on recommended safety and health standards.
• Monitor, maintain, repair, and inspect tools, equipment, and materials to avoid friction and damage.
• Build cables, install ropes, and operate pulleys and other materials necessary for lifting and movement.
• Know the exact or correct hitch to connect to ropes and attach appropriate cables that can support them.
• Detect and combat possible dangers and threats allied to the movement and lifting of materials and equipment.
• Maintain the stability of operation by determining the center of gravity.
• Ensure overhead power grids and lines are avoided by tilting, dipping, and turning loads and suspensions.
• Maintain and ensure a clean and tidy workstation by storing hoisting and lifting tools appropriately.
• Prepare the load, set the lifting grid, and align the beams before an operation.
• Wear the recommended protective equipment and safety gear while working.
• Cooperate and liaise with the team and other site workers always.
• Prepare and maintain beams, pulleys, clamps, and bolts.
• Maneuver loads using heavy equipment and by hand

 

Qualifications

An individual can step up his or her pursuit of a professional endeavor in rigging immediately after secondary education. Such aspiring candidates will provide evidence of passing a drug test; adherence to laid down policies and ethics are paramount for recruitment in this field. Of course, there are additional requirements that must be fulfilled and presented to be employable as a rigger. Organizations and firms insist on these qualifications because the profession requires competency, hard work, commitment, and durability. Without further ado, the major requirements for a career in rigging include;

• Training and experience requirements: A level of experience is required to pursue a career in the rigging. The aspiring rigger must present evidence of at least one year of experience in a similar or related role to be hired. An individual can work as a laborer on a construction site to gain relevant experience. Also, the prospective rigger can shadow and learn from an experienced rigger in the field to accumulate experience as well. Thirdly, the individual can work as an apprentice in an organization or firm that practices the art of rigging. The apprenticeship usually lasts for a year or more depending on the contractual agreement. Training is mostly on-the-job; however, individuals can be trained on how to use the equipment for rigging through an internship for instance.
• Knowledge of Equipment: Familiarity with important machinery and equipment for rigging is a bonus. During an interview, the panel or interviewers ask specific questions relating to heavy machinery and tools used for rigging. Candidates with basic knowledge of such machinery, their compositions, and their functions have an added advantage. Sometimes, applicants are asked to demonstrate knowledge of such equipment in a practical exercise.
• Hearing and vision: Hearing and vision go hand in hand in the rigging. The ideal rigger must have an outstanding vision to see clearly. Similarly, good hearing abilities are also essential and mandatory for rigging. Hearing and vision form part of the general physical fitness. Excellent physical fitness is needed to lift and move heavy machinery on the worksite.
• Rigger’s education requirement: A role as a rigger requires a minimum of secondary school education with an emphasis on physical and health education. Since employers rarely require an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, a good high school certificate is enough to fulfill the educational requirements. While in secondary school, focus on physics, mathematics, and other technical subjects to learn the basics of measurement and lifting of loads.
• Rigger’s certification: Being certified is important and necessary for employment as a rigger in most settings. There are certain terms, policies, best practices, and standards that must be understood and learned to work effectively as a rigger. Also, several associations and organizations provide certification courses to aspiring riggers that may span three to eight hours. The major certifications for riggers are;

1. 1. Level one rigger’s certificate: Pioneered and adopted in the early 90s, a level one rigger’s certificate enables an individual to carry out basic rigging operations.
   2. Level two rigger’s certificate: This is slightly more advanced than the level one certificate. It is a continuation of the level one training and enables the individual to perform tasks like selecting components, determining capacity, and making measurements.
   3. Drill-rig certificate: An individual can embark on earning a drill rig certificate after completing the level one and two certifications respectively. This certification teaches the aspiring rigger techniques and strategies on how to utilize heavy machinery for digging, depositing, or extracting materials.

 

Essential Skills

A rigger uses knowledge, strength, techniques, and effort to move a load in a construction or manufacturing arena. They do this for ships, aircraft, buildings, and so on. To successfully use cranes, pulleys, blocks, and hoists, a rigger needs certain skills and expertise. Most of the skills can be acquired during training, while others can be honed when pursuing secondary education in schools. Regardless, they are crucial for growth and progression in the rigging. Thus, an individual must possess the following skills to work as a rigger;

• Adaptability: The rigging profession often involves working in harsh atmospheric conditions. Hence, an individual must have adaptive skills to successfully perform their tasks. Adaptation is necessary to cope with the changing and demanding nature of the job. The rigger must have the ability to work outdoors or indoors when required as well as to deal with fluctuating and inconsistent schedules.
• Mathematical skills: Knowledge of the various aspects of mathematics is essential in the rigging. The rigger should be conversant with algebra, trigonometry, factorization, geometry, statistics, measurement, and other relevant branches of mathematics to succeed in the role. This skill can be honed, learned, or developed during high or secondary school education
• Critical thinking and active listening: Often a rigger is expected to think critically while performing his or her duties especially when problems arise. Sometimes, there may be discord on the work or construction site, a rigger must use their critical thinking skills to find quick solutions. Relatively, active listening is required to move loads to the appropriate location.
• Quality control: Testing the efficiency of an operation or equipment is an important role of a rigger. Thus, the need for excellent quality control and analysis skills. These professionals need this skill to conduct routine checks and tests on the durability or capability of cranes and pulleys to move heavy machinery. Also, quality control involves inspecting products and the entire process to determine efficiency or accuracy.
• Maintenance skills: Equipment and tools must always be in good shape at a construction or work site. Therefore, the rigger must possess excellent maintenance skills. They must regularly check equipment for wear or tear and ensure that friction is prevented where necessary. Maintenance also includes ensuring the work area is clean and tidy.
• Monitoring skills: This skill is needed to monitor and control the daily operations on the site. It can help the rigger to detect errors in operations and correct them immediately.
• Management skills: A rigger needs management skills to oversee human and material resources. This is mostly needed by senior riggers; it enables them to delegate duties and tasks to junior personnel on the worksite.

                                   

How to Become a Rigger

An apprenticeship, internship, or volunteer works are simple ways of gaining the necessary experience for rigging. Similarly, applying to certification bodies and agencies is another way of meeting the requirements for a career in rigging as well as completing relevant education and training. Thus, an individual can use the steps below to begin and enjoy a rigger career;

• Obtain a secondary school certificate: Employers demand some level of education from aspiring riggers. The minimum is a high school certificate or equivalent. An undergraduate degree isn’t compulsory; hence, enroll in secondary education in an accredited school to prepare for a career in the sector.
• Gain relevant rigging experience: This field requires experience; at least one year of work or related experience is demanded by hiring managers. Therefore, enroll and apply for internships, apprenticeships, and laborers roles in rigging or related sectors to get work experience.
• Become a certified rigger: After gaining experience, apply for certification in the rigging. The process of becoming a certified rigger may vary from one jurisdiction to another. However, you will need to present an educational certificate, take an examination, and meet the pass mark or above to be certified.
• Pass a background and drug test: A thorough background check is often conducted for prospective riggers. Employers aim to hire the best mental, physical, and psychological fit for rigger positions. Also, candidates are screened for drugs and alcohol usage. Hence, stay off crime, illicit drugs, and excessive alcohol intake to pass these checks.

          

Where to Work as a Rigger

A rigging professional or expert can work for various institutions, organizations, or sectors. Due to the nature of the job, they can be hired by industries and companies that focus on telecommunication, manufacturing of products, or construction of structures. Other employers of riggers are oil and gas companies, movies and entertainment companies, and mining companies. Some riggers find work in ships, boats, yachts, aircraft, and transportation firms as well.

 

Rigger Salary Scale

A rigger earns an approximate average annual salary of $50,806. They enjoy paid holidays, vision insurance, dental bonuses, health insurance, occupational hazard insurance, and life insurance among other perks and benefits.

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