Who is the rigger?

The word rigger dates back to the time when the people responsible for maintaining and setting sails were known as riggers (the name comes from the rigging used to control and support the sails). Riggers had a number of special skills that were later also used on land.  

Nowadays a rigger This is a person who, depending on the industry where he or she works, can do many different things. The position of rigger can be found in many sectors: 

rigger at the parachutes

Military sector 

In this sector, the parachute rigger packs the parachutes and has control over them. Such a person is required to undergo intensive training and must look carefully at all details (hazards must be recognised before such a parachute is distributed and used). Also, the military in all military departments uses riggers (also for installations).  

Entertainment sector 

Various heavy equipment is used in the entertainment sector. Riggers take care of the installation and movements when moving elements and actors on stage. Riggers can be part of this team.  

Industrial sector 

In the industrial sector, this is a person whose job is to move heavy loads and to deploy heavy machinery, such as cranes or overhead cranes. An employee called a rigger works on construction sites and installs heavy and specialised equipment. Outside construction sites - MRI machines and others. A high level of physical fitness and a high level of co-operative ability is required here.  

A Rigger, therefore, is someone who prepares and configures equipment for use, carries out safety checks and makes sure everything is where it should be.  

Hook 

hook rigger at crane

A hookman (a.k.a. signalman or load handler) is a person who directs transport work and uses, for example, cranes for this purpose. He or she suspends the load on the hook of a crane, crane, overhead crane, etc. No additional qualifications are needed for the worker, which are required when operating cranes or overhead cranes. However, because of what he performs and the safety of himself and other workers, he should have such a qualification. On a construction site, the hookman's tasks also include cooperating and communicating with the crane operator. 

A hooksman must have the knowledge and skills to move and suspend loads correctly, or to use slings correctly. A hooksman must be at least 18 years of age, completed health and safety training and position instruction.  

The UDT (Office of Technical Inspection) - CRT offers a voluntary certificate for employees performing the duties of signalman - hookman. This certificate is for those performing the following duties: 

  • Use of proper lifting machinery and equipment; 
  • Emitting a signal to the crane operator; 
  • Detachment and load suspension; 
  • Initiation of the intended movement of the load and the crane. 

Hook Rigger 

A hook rigger is a person whose tasks include, for example, controlling complex loads using manual lifting equipment, seconding a crane, safe installation or carrying out minor maintenance work. A person who is at least 18 years old and who passes a course for this position (often in practical and theoretical form) can obtain a certificate which is recognised throughout the European Union.