10 Signs You’re a True Rigger at Heart (and Proud of It!)
There’s something special about being a rigger. It’s not just a job — it’s a calling. You’re part of a unique crew that understands what it means to lift heavy, work smart, and take pride in every perfectly balanced load. Whether you’re handling a single sling or coordinating a massive crane lift, rigging takes skill, patience, and a serious sense of humor.
So how do you know if you’re a true rigger at heart? Here are 10 telltale signs that prove you’ve got rigging in your blood — and you’re proud of it.
1. You See the World in Load Angles
Most people look at a piece of equipment and see a heavy chunk of metal.
You? You’re already calculating sling tension, estimating weight distribution, and thinking, “I’d need at least a 2-leg bridle for that.”
You don’t just eyeball things — you analyze them. You can spot an uneven load from across the yard and know instantly what’s off.
For a true rigger, geometry isn’t a school subject — it’s a daily survival skill.
2. You Don’t Skip the Pre-Lift Inspection — Ever
There’s no such thing as “good enough” when it comes to lifting. You know every inspection counts — whether it’s checking for sling wear, shackle cracks, or making sure that tag is still readable.
You live by the rule: If it’s not certified, it’s not getting used.
And let’s be honest — you’ve probably saved a few people from a bad day just by catching a frayed sling before it went up.
That’s what separates a rookie from a rigger.
3. You Have a Sixth Sense for Load Balance
It’s not luck — it’s experience. You just know when a lift is going to tilt before it even leaves the ground.
You’ve developed that mysterious “rigger’s intuition” — that feeling in your gut when something’s not level. It’s not written in any manual, but it comes from years of watching, learning, and perfecting the art of balance.
When it’s your lift, that hook stays right above the center of gravity, every time.
4. You Take Sling Angles Personally
A 30° sling angle? Nope. Not on your watch.
You’ve probably had more debates about sling angles than most people have about sports.
Because you know the truth: bad angles equal bad news.
You’ve explained the 60° rule more times than you can count, but you’ll keep doing it — because safety isn’t negotiable, and you’re not about to see a good sling overloaded.
5. You Speak Fluent Rigging
Eye bolts, master links, spreader bars, shackles, and snatch blocks — you can rattle off rigging hardware terminology like poetry.
And when someone says “just grab the thingy with the hook,” you cringe a little inside.
Because to you, everything has a name, a purpose, and a load limit.
It’s not overthinking — it’s professional pride.
6. You Know Gravity Is the Ultimate Boss
You respect it, you plan for it, and you never underestimate it.
While others might see gravity as a nuisance, you know it’s the unseen force that decides how every lift plays out.
You work with it — not against it. And when something goes wrong, you don’t blame luck. You blame physics.
Because when it comes to rigging, gravity doesn’t care who’s in charge.
7. You’ve Got the Best Rigging Stories
Every rigger has that one unforgettable lift — the one that almost went sideways but didn’t (because you caught the issue first).
You’ve got stories that make newcomers lean in and veterans nod knowingly. Tales of weather delays, tricky lifts, and the time a 20-ton load behaved like a feather because the rigging plan was perfect.
Your stories aren’t just about equipment — they’re about teamwork, timing, and trust.
8. You Treat Your Gear Like Gold
Your rigging gear isn’t “just equipment” — it’s your lifeline.
You know the difference between a clean, well-oiled shackle and one that’s past its prime. You keep your slings coiled, your hooks tagged, and your tools organized.
You’ve probably even given your favorite shackle a nickname (don’t worry — we all have).
Because you know your gear is what keeps everyone safe.
9. You’re Proud to Work Behind the Scenes
Riggers don’t always get the spotlight — but without you, nothing moves. Literally.
You make the impossible happen quietly, efficiently, and safely. You might not be the one on camera, but you’re the reason every heavy load ends up exactly where it needs to be.
And that’s something to be proud of — because riggers know true success doesn’t need applause. It just needs precision.
10. You Never Stop Learning
No matter how long you’ve been on the job, you know there’s always more to learn.
New gear, new safety standards, new lifting challenges — and you’re here for all of it.
You’re the first to attend a refresher course, check inspection updates, or test out new lifting gear from Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies. Because you know the second you stop learning, you stop improving — and that’s not how a true rigger rolls.
Bonus Sign: You Take Pride in Doing It Right
At the end of the day, being a rigger is about more than heavy loads and hard work — it’s about pride, precision, and people.
It’s knowing that when that load lands exactly where it should, level and safe, you made that happen. Your training, your attention to detail, your teamwork — that’s what defines a rigger.
So here’s to you — the ones who keep the cranes steady, the loads balanced, and the job sites safe. You’re not just lifting equipment — you’re lifting industries.
And at Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, we’re proud to lift with you.
🏗️ At Hercules, We Get It — Because We Lift Like You
From wire rope slings and rigging hardware to inspection services and load testing, Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies is Canada’s trusted partner in safe, reliable lifting.
Whether you’re rigging in construction, manufacturing, or marine, our experts are here to help you lift smarter, safer, and prouder — just like a true rigger would.
