Overview 

This standard is about preparing, assembling and using components for rigging and de-rigging. This involves confirming an understanding of rigging designs and safely preparing, marking out and installing rigging from plans. At the end of the production it also involves de-rigging safely.

This standard is for anyone involved with rigging and de-rigging for productions.


Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. identify rigging requirements and loads to be applied to rigging or support points in line with rigging plans
  2. identify hazards that may make plans difficult to achieve, suggesting alternatives to appropriate people.
  3. identify rigging equipment and components that comply with required load capacities specified in rigging plans
  4. establish that supporting structures and fixings are suitable, obtaining advice from authorised people when required
  5. check that permissions for loading have been obtained before commencing lifting
  6. use modular structures in line with manufacturer’s instructions
  7. identify the correct rigging points or support points for rigging and de-rigging from plans, getting approval when required
  8. make sure risk assessment control measures are in use throughout rigging and de-rigging
  9. use personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing for work being carried out
  10. communicate rigging intentions, associated hazards and when particular caution is needed to the people affected on an ongoing basis
  11. use access equipment and personal fall protection systems (PFPS) in line with manufacturers’ instructions
  12. follow method statements and schedules to ensure the safety of others
  13. define work areas in line with rigging plans with sensitivity to venues and other contractors
  14. mark out work from plans in line with organisational procedures and rigging codes of practice
  15. prepare working areas on the ground and at height, in ways that contribute to safe and efficient rigging and de-rigging
  16. use information to establish safe working loads of all lifting equipment and accessories
  17. prepare and assemble lifting equipment and lifting accessories in line with procedures, method statements and codes of practice 
  18. use recognised knots and rope work
  19. check compatibility and alignment of lifting accessories before use
  20. check rigging assemblies do not create hazards when used at height
  21. inform and seek advice from authorised people about deviations from designs
  22. rig secondary suspensions when required, in line with best practice
  23. select and use techniques to rig attachment points to supporting structures
  24. select and use lifting equipment, accessories and techniques to lift, lower and transfer loads in line with requirements
  25. respond to issues that arise during preparation for and during lifting operations in line with approved procedures, seeking help and advice as required 
  26. select and use equipment to rig and de-rig assemblies, in line with lifting plans
  27. confirm rigging points are removed and that no loose equipment is left at height after de-rigging
  28. store lifting equipment and accessories in line with approved procedures after use
  29. leave worksite tidy after use
  30. complete required records in line with organisational requirements

 

Knowledge and Understanding

You must know and understand:

  1. how to interpret rigging plans and method statements and work within their parameters 
  2. the principles of scaling from rigging plans and marking out conventions
  3. the methods used to set out
  4. health and safety issues to be taken into account when following a briefing or method statement
  5. current legislation and standards you must follow including health and safety, HSE approved codes of practice.
  6. the range of rigging and safe working practices used in live performance industry rigging
  7. safe manual handling and manoeuvring techniques and requirements
  8. the personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing to wear for different rigging tasks and how to check pre-use
  9. the standard knots and ropework used in rigging and which knots to use in different applications
  10. methods of terminations and the importance of using the correct methods to make terminations in wire ropes
  11. the range of rigging and lifting equipment and accessories commonly used for rigging their advantages, disadvantages, incompatibilities and misuses
  12. the importance of pre-use checks
  13. how to determine sling tension
  14. how to interpret load tables and loading conditions
  15. the importance of safe working loads and working load limits of rigging materials and their compatibility
  16. why accurate weight information should be provided to venues and people responsible for making rigging attachments
  17. how to establish load capacities of rigging or support points in relation to their intended load
  18. how to identify load capacities of lifting equipment and how it changes with its configuration
  19. how to establish weight and distribution of proposed loadings from plans
  20. your part in the schedule of work in relation to the demands of the production
  21. how structural members in venues can be used
  22. the need for risk assessment and how to interpret a risk assessment
  23. why it is important to sign off completed work in line with organisational procedures
  24. how heat affects different rigging materials
  25. the correct use of chain hoists, chain handling and management, chain bag safety, chain hoist controllers and their power supply and distribution
  26. how rigging accessories are used in the attachment or slinging of loads
  27. the distribution of load and its effect on structures when operating hoists simultaneously
  28. when secondary suspensions are and are not necessary and best practice for rigging them
  29. why it is important not to deviate from the rigging plan without authorisation
  30. how to set up chain hoists ready to use, including the hoist controller, safe electrical distribution, running chain in and out of the hoist and securing the chain bag
  31. best practice for slinging with wire rope slings, shackles, round slings, clutch chain slings, open basket, split basket, choke hitches and in bridles
  32. how to work with modular structures including trusses and grid systems
  33. common methods used to get components to workstations including those at height
  34. the problems that may occur and how to deal with them
  35. how to deal with deviations from the designs
  36. why lifting equipment and accessories must be aligned correctly