Rigging Basics Flashcards
Types of riggers, roles and responsibilities, what it means to be a competent worker, and 4K's
What is Rigging?
Rigging is the means of supporting, suspending or moving equipment, material or people in the air.
What a rigger does
completes the rigging hang or rigging requirements by
- Using their knowledge and training on the system
- Working within the systems safe working limits
Working safely within venue Specific Operating Procedures
- Following local and provincial regulations
Riggers quite often work from plans provided by an engineer or work in a space that has engineered points and structure to work from.
Riggers are not _________
an Engineer
Ground / Down Rigger
- Maintains safe perimeters underneath high work being done.
- Maintains safe path and perimeter around aerial work platforms
- Monitors the movement of aerial work platforms
- Builds points for the high work
- Reads drawings and floor markings
- Moves rigging points and laser plumbs accordingly
- Rigs motors, assembles and checks motor control systems and makes attachments to lift frame, lighting, trusses, audio, video and scenery for hoisting and flying.
- Does visual and mechanical safety inspections
- Must know the rescue plan
Grid Rigger
- Has all the skills aand responsibilities of a ground rigger and must be able to identify suitable structure and attachments for rigging
- Grid walking and access. Focus, balance, comfort with heights.
- Usually heavy lifting involved, must have advanced rope skills, be able to apply rope mechanical advantages, as well as knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods and proper applications of different rigging systems.
- Must have valid working at Heights training (WAH)
- Must know the rescue plan
Bucket / Aerial Rigger
- Has all the skills and responsibilities of a Grid Rigger with the ability to operate aerial work platforms
- Must have valid aerial work platform license and WAH
- Must know the rescue plan
High / Up Rigger
Almost identical to Grid Rigger, but they work while standing, sitting on or hanging from an exposed structural member. Must know the rescue plan.
Climbing / Rope Access Rigger
Almost identical to High / Up Rigger, but also must have exceptional rope skills. They must be physically fit and able to pull their own body weight up into structural ceilings on belay while applying personal fall protection as they go. They must be proficient with harness positioning systems and advanced rope friction and hauling systems.
Must know the rescue plan.
Fly Crew
- A fly person operates counterweight rigging systems from a locking rail during a show. Raising and lowering suspended scenery during a performance on cue.
- Their responsibilities include loading and unloading scenery and counterweights, maintaining and repairing equipment, operating mechanical components of the stage, storing and setting up scenery, operating pulleys and ropes to control movement of scenery and operating mechanical systems.
- Knowing the working limits of the system. Inspecting the system annually as well as daily inspections on changed or used components before each show.
- Knowing the building and house rules or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Head Rigger
Authority on how things are rigged and positions.
- Generates rig list and plot for rigging points.
- Marks out floor positions. Performs calculations on load limits and bridles.
- leads rigging crew in installation of rigging structures and points.
- Ensures all rigging falls within engineering limits.
This responsibility can fall onto the most senior member of a team or any person or supervisor delegating rigging instructions (MOL definition of supervisor)
Qualities / Characteristics of a good rigger
- Someone who’s competent
- Honest about capabilities
- Takes responsibility ( for what you know and don’t know)
- Comply with pertinent regulations, standards & best practices
- Teamwork skills
- Communicate clearly
- Demonstrate problem solving skills
- Phsyically able to safaely perform their role and task
- Meets deadlines (The show starts at 8)
Competency
A competent person as defined by OHSA: a ‘competent’ person means a person who:
1. Is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance
2. Is familiar with the Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and….
3. Has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace.
Engineers vs Riggers
Where does a rigger get their information?
Engineer —–> Engineered Components —–> Head Rigger
- A structural engineer is a P. Eng. Licensed to practice engineering in Ontario
- A rigger is an entertainment technician who is competent to install and operate rigging equipment.
The Four K’s
Know the rigging system you are working with
Keep the equipment in safe working order
Know how to use it
Keep your concentration
