A Detailed Guide to Rigging Certification and Its Training Requirements
Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser
Many industries move heavy loads using cranes, derricks and other lifting equipment. Before any lift, however, operators must ensure loads are safely secured and properly balanced. That’s what certified, qualified riggers do.
Improper rigging practices can lead to significant damage to goods and workplace accidents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports about 42 deaths per year in crane-related accidents and hundreds of injuries due to improper safety protocols.
This article will help you understand the training you need to get started in a career as a qualified or certified rigger.
What Is Rigging?
Rigging is the art of safely securing a load to prepare it for transit by a crane or other lifting device. Correctly rigging cargo requires the use of specialized tools, such as slings, hooks, shackles and chains. Typical tasks include:
Securing loads: Properly fastening equipment and materials to lifting devices.
Selecting hardware: Choosing slings and rig components that can safely handle the load.
Inspecting equipment: Ensuring tools and lifting gear are in good condition and meet safety standards.
Precision is critical in preparing loads. Riggers must be well-trained and familiar with safety protocols to handle and move loads safely and effectively.
The Difference Between Qualified and Certified Riggers
Riggers may be qualified and/or certified. While both imply a level of professionalism and training, there is a difference.
OSHA defines a qualified rigger as someone who possesses the combination of training, knowledge and experience to safely perform necessary tasks. Qualification is determined by the employer and varies depending on the specific duties of each job.
Qualified riggers are required for work that falls under any of OSHA’s rigging standards, including 29 CFR 1926.251. Work may include operating within fall zones, hooking, unhooking or guiding loads or doing the initial connection of a load.
To meet the requirements for a qualified rigger, workers need:
Formal training and/or on-the-job instruction.
An understanding of how to safely rig loads.
Demonstrated skills and proof of ability to perform tasks safely and efficiently.
While OSHA doesn’t mandate formal certification for riggers, it does require employers to ensure that personnel are qualified to handle the job's complex and stressful nature. For more advanced and hazardous tasks, certified riggers may be preferred to meet higher safety and competency standards.
A certified rigger is a person who has been trained and certified to handle and move loads according to industry standards. Unlike qualification, certification is granted by an accredited organization, such as the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). The NCCCO is the gold standard for crane operator, rigger and signal person certification.
Why Certification Matters
Certified riggers are highly trained, specialized professionals. Certification comes with many benefits, including:
Standardized training and testing: A rigorous national standard ensures that individuals meet a consistent level of competency.
Improved safety: Certified riggers are less likely to make errors that could lead to accidents thanks to their additional education.
Enhanced job opportunities: A certificate can boost a career by making the holder a more attractive candidate for employers.
NCCCO offers exams for beginner, intermediate and advanced rigging students, including:
Rigger Level I: For individuals who can safely perform basic tasks under supervision. This includes choosing equipment, hitches and knots and preparing loads for lifting.
Rigger Level II: For more experienced riggers who can handle complex tasks, supervise teams and develop plans. This level also requires a functional understanding of winches, jacks, hoisting equipment and other related tools.
To maintain certification, professionals must complete periodic renewals and continuing education courses to stay up to date on standards and best practices.
Understanding Key Safety Standards
OSHA establishes standards to reduce the risks associated with rigging and crane operation. These standards include:
Inspection procedures: Equipment must be inspected before each use to ensure it is free of damage or defects.
Safe load handling: Workers must determine load weights and ensure that components are rated for the load. Properly balanced and secured loads are critical.
Signal person protocols: Effective communication between riggers and crane operators is vital. Riggers understand and use proper hand signals and radio protocols to communicate with certified signal persons.
Pre-planning: Every operation should be carefully coordinated to identify risks and determine the safest approach before work begins.
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Riggers should wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves, hard hats, safety glasses and steel-toed boots to protect against hazards.
Rigging Training Requirements
Proper training is critical for riggers to ensure safe operation, efficiency and compliance in their operations. Education programs cover a wide range of topics, each essential for building the skills and knowledge needed for this high-responsibility role.
Rigging Equipment
One of the key focal points of education is teaching riggers how to inspect and properly use equipment.
Riggers must understand the different types of equipment, their load capacities and their specific applications. Coursework includes identifying potential equipment defects — such as frayed slings or bent hardware — that might compromise safe operations. Riggers also learn how to properly store and maintain equipment to extend its lifespan and ensure reliability.
Load Management
This critical skill ensures loads are prepared, lifted and lowered safely. A quality education focuses on teaching workers how to accurately calculate load weights and verify that components are rated to handle the cargo.
Riggers also learn how to properly balance and secure loads to prevent shifting during motion. By understanding the principles of weight distribution and load dynamics, riggers can reduce the risk of accidents.
Protective Equipment
PPE is essential for minimizing the risk of injury. It includes gloves to prevent hand injuries, hard hats to guard against falling objects, protective glasses to protect eyes from debris and steel-toed boots to safeguard feet from heavy loads.
Riggers are trained to select PPE appropriate for specific jobsite conditions and to inspect their gear regularly for wear and tear.
Communication Protocols
Effective communication between riggers and crane operators is vital to ensuring the safety of everyone on the jobsite. Rigger education includes instruction on the use of standard hand signals, radio communication and other protocols to coordinate operations.
Riggers are also taught to work with signal persons — who act as intermediaries between riggers and crane operators — to facilitate clear and precise communication.
Safe Work Practices
Developing safe work habits is a fundamental aspect of rigger training. Students are trained to double-check all components, inspect equipment before use and avoid cutting corners during operations.
They also learn to identify potential hazards on the jobsite — such as overhead power lines or unstable ground — and to take appropriate precautions to mitigate risks. By prioritizing safety in every aspect of their work, these professionals can prevent accidents and ensure smooth lifts.
OSHA Rigger Training Paths
Becoming a fully capable rigger requires extensive education, practice and preparation. OSHA Education Center can help you take the first steps on your professional journey with our introductory rigging awareness courses and material handling training programs.
All our classes are available 100% online and can be completed on any internet-connected device. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can log in, study and log out at any time without having to repeat lesson material.
Rigging Safety Certificate Course
Preparing heavy cargo and working around huge lifting machines is inherently dangerous. Reduce the risk of injury with this safety training course. Students learn how to:
Understand the role riggers play in preventing accidents and injuries during crane operation.
Identify and use proper protective equipment and procedures when handling loads.
Engage in safe work practices when raising, moving and lowering a crane’s load.
Rigging and Material Handling
This course explains the basics of material handling as defined in OSHA standard 1926.251, including training on:
Stacking
Storing
Lifting
Best practices
Equipment
Safe working loads
Inspections
You can complete this course in one hour and receive an official Certificate of Completion.
Safe Lifting and Carrying
Learn safe lifting and carrying techniques to prevent injuries under OSHA guidelines, including:
Load assessment
Proper lifting and body mechanisms
Team lifting protocols
Equipment use
Great for more than just riggers, this course is widely useful for any worker who regularly lifts or carries anything heavier than a stapler.
OSHA Education Center also offers a catalog of other safety and certification courses for those in general industry, construction and more.
Start Your Journey Today
Becoming a certified rigger is crucial for anyone seeking a long-term crane or lifting career. With in-depth safety training, hands-on practice and recognized credentials, you'll prevent accidents and move heavy loads safely.
By enrolling in OSHA Education Center’s courses, you gain the expertise and confidence to excel in rigging and help keep worksites safe. The right certification opens doors to greater opportunity and success.
Start your journey toward comprehensive rigging programs today with OSHA Education Center’s basic rigging safety courses.