Rigging 101: What Every New Rigger Should Know Before the First Lift

Starting a career in rigging is exciting — you’re stepping into a trade built on skill, precision, teamwork, and the satisfaction of seeing massive jobs come together safely. Whether you're working in construction, marine, industrial, or offshore environments, one thing is constant: your role matters. Every lift, every connection, every signal is part of a larger system where safety and communication keep crews protected and operations running smoothly.

If you’re new to the trade, welcome — and here’s your essential crash course. Consider this your beginner-friendly guide to rigging fundamentals, with insights from the experts at Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, proudly supporting Canadian industry for decades.

1. Safety Always Comes First

Before you even touch a sling, hook, or shackle, the first rule new riggers learn is simple:
Everything we do starts with safety.

Rigging involves heavy loads, dynamic environments, and equipment under tension — one oversight can lead to serious injuries or costly damage. That’s why professional riggers follow strict safety practices, including:

• Wearing the right PPE: hard hats, gloves, safety boots, high-vis gear, and fall protection when required.

• Inspecting equipment before every use.

• Understanding load ratings and equipment limitations.

• Keeping clear of the load’s danger zone.

At Hercules, our teams emphasize proactive safety — catching issues before they happen. That mindset is what keeps crews confident and protected.

2. Know Your Rigging Gear — And What It Can Handle

New riggers quickly learn that rigging isn’t “just hooking something up.” Every component in a lift has a purpose and performance limit. Some essentials you’ll handle early on include:

Slings

• Wire rope slings – tough, durable, great for heavy-duty lifting.

• Synthetic web or round slings – lightweight, flexible, ideal for delicate or irregular loads.

• Chain slings – extremely strong, adjustable, and excellent for harsh environments.

Understanding the working load limit (WLL) of each sling — and how angles, hitch types, and load distribution affect capacity — is crucial.

Hardware

Shackles, hooks, master links, turnbuckles — these are the “connective tissue” of a lift. Each must match the rated load and condition requirements of the job.

Hoisting & Lifting Gear

Depending on your worksite, you might use manual hoists, electric chain hoists, cranes, spreader bars, or gantries.

Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies provides high-quality, certified equipment and inspection services, helping new riggers start their careers with confidence in their tools.

3. Understanding Load Weight and Center of Gravity

One of the first technical skills riggers learn is determining how heavy the load is and where its weight is balanced.

If the center of gravity isn’t controlled, the lift can tilt, rotate, or swing — all of which create dangerous conditions.

Key steps include:

• Reviewing drawings or documentation (weights, dimensions).

• Identifying uneven or shifting loads.

• Positioning slings to maintain balance.

• Making adjustments during test lifts.

As you gain experience, determining the center of gravity becomes second nature — but in the beginning, always double-check with an experienced rigger or supervisor.

4. Master the Core Hitch Types

Every new rigger should know the three foundational sling hitches:

Vertical Hitch

A straight, simple lift — but all the weight is carried by one sling leg.

Choker Hitch

Useful for gripping a load, but reduces sling capacity.

Basket Hitch

Doubles the lifting capacity and provides stability, making it one of the most common hitches used.

Learning when (and when not) to use each hitch is a cornerstone of rigging competency.

5. Communication Can Make or Break a Lift

Rigging is a team sport, and one of your most valuable tools isn’t physical — it’s communication.

You’ll use:

• Hand signals

• Radio communication

• Taglines and lift plans

• Spotting and direct coordination with crane operators

Clear, confident communication prevents confusion and keeps everyone aligned. When in doubt, stop the lift and clarify — hesitation is better than miscommunication when heavy loads are in motion.

6. Inspect Everything — Every Time

Before any lift, you must inspect:

• Slings for cuts, kinks, abrasion, broken wires, or excessive wear

• Hooks for deformation or latch failure

• Shackles for bent pins or thread damage

• Tags for missing capacity markings

• Hoists and lifting equipment per manufacturer specifications

Hercules provides certified inspection and testing services, including pull testing and break testing, giving crews assurance that their equipment meets safety standards and regulatory requirements.

As a new rigger, developing the habit of thorough inspections will make you invaluable on the job site.

7. Understand Rigging Angles

If a sling is at an angle, the tension increases — sometimes dramatically. A horizontal angle under 30° can push the sling far beyond its rated capacity.

New riggers must learn how to:

• Read and use angle charts

• Calculate sling tension

• Adjust rigging to maintain safe angles

This is one of the most common learning curves for beginners, but once you master it, you gain a deeper understanding of load handling mechanics.

8. Never Stop Learning (Seriously!)

Rigging is a skilled trade with continuous learning built in. Technology changes, standards evolve, and new equipment enters the market.

At Hercules Crane & Lifting Supplies, we believe ongoing education is one of the best investments a rigger can make. Through our Training Academy, we encourage all riggers — new and experienced — to stay curious, take courses, and build their knowledge.

9. Start Small, Ask Questions, and Build Confidence

Every expert rigger started where you are now. Ask questions. Seek mentorship. Watch how experienced riggers plan, communicate, and troubleshoot.

Your confidence will grow with every safe, well-executed lift.

And remember:
You’re joining a community built on trust, precision, and teamwork — and Hercules is here to support that journey every step of the way.