Rigging Specialist

A Rigging Specialist at a Thermal Power Plant construction site plays a vital role in ensuring safe and efficient lifting, moving, and positioning of heavy components such as turbines, generators, boilers, and structural assemblies. Given the high-risk nature of rigging operations, their responsibilities focus heavily on safety, compliance, and precision.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Lifting Plan Development

• Develop and review rigging and lifting plans for critical and non-critical lifts.
• Identify load weights, centers of gravity, lifting points, and rigging configurations.
• Coordinate with crane operators, engineers, and safety teams to approve plans before execution.
• Ensure compliance with lifting standards such as ASME B30.9, B30.10, and OSHA regulations.
  

2. Safety Risk Assessment & Compliance

• Conduct Job Safety Analyses (JSA) and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA) prior to each rigging activity.
• Identify site-specific hazards (overhead power lines, high winds, confined spaces).
• Enforce lockout/tagout (LOTO) and exclusion zones during lifting operations.
• Ensure that rigging and lifting activities are carried out within legal and company safety parameters.
  

3. Inspection & Certification

• Inspect rigging equipment (slings, shackles, hooks, spreader bars, lifting beams, etc.) for wear, damage, or defects.
• Ensure that all lifting tools and machines are certified and load-tested.
• Maintain inspection records, certificates, and logs.
• Perform pre-lift inspections and toolbox talks with lifting crews.
  

4. Supervision of Lifting Activities

• Supervise and direct all rigging activities on-site, especially during critical lifts or work near sensitive equipment.
• Communicate with signalmen, riggers, and crane operators using standardized hand signals and radios.
• Confirm that all load paths are clear, load charts are followed, and weather conditions are acceptable.
  

5. Crew Training & Competency Management

• Train riggers and lifting personnel on safe rigging practices, sling angles, lifting techniques, and emergency procedures.
• Validate that all rigging staff have proper licenses and certifications (e.g., Rigger Level I/II/III).
• Conduct regular refresher training and practical demonstrations.
  

6. Coordination with Other Disciplines

• Work closely with construction engineers, scaffold experts, structural teams, and project planners.
• Advise on proper lifting points and sequencing during equipment installation (e.g., setting HRSGs, condensers, ESPs).
  

7. Emergency Preparedness

• Prepare contingency plans for lifting failures, dropped loads, or equipment malfunctions.
• Ensure lifting teams are trained in emergency response and rescue procedures.
  

8. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain rigging logs, lifting permits, daily activity reports, and incident reports.
• Participate in incident investigations, providing root cause analysis and corrective actions related to rigging failures.
  

9. Regulatory and Standards Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
  
• OSHA 1926 Subpart CC (Cranes and Derricks in Construction)
• ASME/ANSI B30 series
• ISO 23813 (Crane Operator and Rigger Training)
• Local regulatory authority requirements
  

10. Continuous Improvement & Safety Culture

• Promote a strong safety culture within the rigging crew and across other construction teams.
• Recommend improvements to existing procedures and participate in safety audits and review meetings.