Rigging Training for All Experience Levels
Only qualified riggers can secure cargo and equipment for crane lifting operations. OSHA requires individuals to demonstrate mastery of safety and operational standards before serving as a qualified rigger for any lift.
Build your skills and advance through three levels of rigging safety training. Start with rigging fundamentals like equipment, terminology, load calculations, inspection procedures and safe work practices that will prepare you to qualify on day one. Then build on the basics with intermediate and advanced courses.
All lessons align with the OSHA crane operation standards in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, industry best practices found in ASME B30 and NCCCO certification examinations. Each course offers an instant digital certificate upon completion.
Basic Rigging Safety Training
This basic three-hour course will introduce you to the fundamental principles behind safe rigging practices, focusing on awareness-level knowledge aligned with federal OSHA requirements and industry best practices. These topics will prepare you to recognize common hazards and understand the importance of following federal safety standards.
This course will teach you everything you need to know to serve as a qualified rigger for simple crane operations.
Intermediate Rigging Safety Training
This four-hour, intermediate-level rigging course builds on the awareness-level concepts introduced in the basic course. It focuses on how rigging decisions affect load stability, equipment stress and overall lift safety. The course also introduces the regulatory framework that governs rigging work, including OSHA requirements for slings, material handling and crane-related activities.
This course introduces the practical knowledge needed to work safely with rigging systems in more complex lifting situations.
Advanced Rigging Safety Training
This five-hour advanced course expands on the principles introduced in our basic and intermediate rigging safety courses. It covers complex lifting situations, detailed equipment considerations and the decision-making processes required for safe lift planning. In addition, the course reviews regulatory requirements and industry practices that govern advanced rigging operations. Understanding these standards helps ensure that lifts are performed safely within established capacity limits.
This course is designed for experienced riggers involved in highly complex lifting operations.
Crane Rigging Safety Training Course Details
Satisfies Training Standards for:
OSHA Standards 1926.1401, 1926.1404, 1926.1425, ASME B30.9 and ASME B30.26
Designed for:
Workers Serving as Qualified Riggers on Crane Operations
Format:
100% Online Course
Provides:
Digital Certificate of Completion
Benefits of Online Education
Benefits of our training course include:
- 100% Online
- Satisfies OSHA Training Standards for Qualified Crane Riggers
- Three Levels of Training to Match Your Needs
- 180 Days to Complete Training
- Instantly Downloadable Certificate
- Bulk Discounts Available
Who Needs Rigging Training?
Only trained individuals may serve as qualified riggers for crane lifting operations, including crane assembly and disassembly. Employers must ensure that anyone securing cargo or materials for a regulated operation is properly trained and qualified for the role. That includes familiarity with the specific equipment and tasks required for each lift.
The Basic Rigging course provides all the practical knowledge and operational training needed to satisfy OSHA training requirements and perform the duties of the job. After finishing the course, your employer or third party will evaluate your knowledge and assess your skills. If you pass the assessment, you will be qualified to serve as a rigger on your jobsite.
All training aligns with the standards of OSHA, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). While NCCCO certification is not a legal job requirement, our Intermediate Rigging and Advanced Rigging courses will prepare you to take NCCCO certification exams if your employer requires those credentials.
Testing Requirements
In all three courses, each of the 10 lessons ends with a 10-question quiz. You must score at least 80% on each quiz to progress to the next lesson.
After completing all 10 lesson modules, you must pass a 20-question, multiple-choice final exam to complete the course. Test questions are drawn from a bank of 60 items covering all topics in your chosen course. A score of at least 80% is required to receive your Certificate of Completion.
Learning Objectives
Together, all three courses build a comprehensive understanding of rigging principles for crane operations ranging from simple lifts to complex multi-crane maneuvers. The learning objectives for each level of training are listed below.
Basic
By the end of basic safety training, you will be able to:
- Explain why rigging operations are considered high-risk and high-consequence work.
- List common hazards associated with suspended loads and lifting activities.
- Identify the purpose and limitations of basic rigging training.
- Describe how OSHA requirements apply to slings and material handling operations.
- Determine your unique role in supporting safe rigging practices and stop-work expectations.
Intermediate
By the end of intermediate safety training, you will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and scope of intermediate rigging training and how it differs from basic rigging awareness.
- Describe OSHA standards and safety requirements that apply to rigging and lifting operations.
- Determine how load weight, sling angles and center of gravity affect rigging safety.
- Identify appropriate sling types, hitch configurations and rigging hardware for different lifting situations.
- Recognize hazards associated with crane operations, suspended loads and changing jobsite conditions.
- Apply safe communication, inspection and decision-making practices during rigging operations.
Advanced
By the end of advanced safety training, you will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and scope of advanced rigging training and how it differs from basic and intermediate rigging levels.
- List the OSHA standards that apply to cranes, slings and lifting operations, and describe their safety requirements.
- Interpret crane load charts and determine safe lifting capacity based on lift configuration and radius.
- Analyze sling angles, hitch configurations and center of gravity to determine load stability and rigging stress.
- Identify hazards associated with complex lifts, crane operations and changing jobsite conditions.
- Apply safe communication, inspection and decision-making practices during advanced rigging operations.
Course Outline
All three courses teach core crane rigging principles through interactive, fully narrated lessons drawn from OSHA standards, ASME best practices and real-world scenarios. As you progress, you will master high-quality instruction that will prepare you to serve as a qualified rigger, pursue rigging certification and advance your career with additional responsibilities.
The topics covered in each program are listed below.
Basic
Topics covered in the basic course include:
- What Rigging Is and How It Is Used
- Core Rigging Terminology and Concepts
- Rigging Equipment Overview (Awareness Level)
- Load Weight, Balance and Center of Gravity
- Sling Angles and Load Stress (Conceptual)
- Pre-Use Inspection and Basic Rigging Checks
- Safe Work Practices Around Rigging Operations
- Rigging Communication and Signaling Awareness
- Common Rigging Hazards and Mistake Patterns
- Worker Responsibility, Stop Work and Reporting
Intermediate
Topics covered in the intermediate course include:
- Introduction, Scope and Safety Standards
- Determining Load Weight
- Sling Angles, Load Angles and Stress
- Center of Gravity and Load Stability
- Sling Hitches and Hitch Applications
- Sling Types and Rigging Hardware
- Lifting Devices and Below-the-Hook Equipment
- Communication and Hand Signals
- Safe Work Practices for Rigging and Crane Operations
- Critical Thinking, Hazard Recognition and Decision Making
Advanced
Topics covered in the advanced course include:
- OSHA Safety Standards and Why Advanced Training Matters
- Crane and Load Stability Fundamentals
- Determining Capacity with Load Charts
- Slings, Hardware and Lifting Devices
- Rigging Principles I: Sling Hitches and Load Weight
- Rigging Principles II: Angles, Stress and Center of Gravity
- Safe Rigging and Crane Operations
- Specialized Operations: Lifting Personnel and Complex Lifts
- Communication, Signaling and Operational Control
- Critical Thinking, Incident Prevention and Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a qualified rigger?
OSHA 1926.1401 defines a qualified rigger as a person who:
- Possesses a recognized credential or extensive training, knowledge and experience
- Demonstrates the ability to solve problems related to rigging loads
An employer or third-party evaluator must assess an individual's skills. Candidates who succeed on the evaluation may serve as qualified riggers.
While a rigger may also train to serve as a qualified signal person, the roles are not interchangeable. Signaling is a separate job function that helps crane operators safely guide a rigged load throughout the lift process using predetermined signs and commands. Signal person training, qualification and certification is a separate process.
Does this course provide a rigger certification?
These courses satisfy the safety and operational knowledge needed to serve as a qualified rigger as defined by 29 CFR 1926.1401. You will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of each course to document your education.
By the end of the Basic Rigging course, you will be prepared to take a skills evaluation with your employer or a third party. Pass the evaluation to satisfy OSHA requirements and serve as a qualified rigger for routine lifting operations.
OSHA does not approve training courses or certify individuals. There is no federal rigging certification. However, competent third-party evaluators, like NCCCO, offer voluntary certification examinations for skilled riggers. The Basic and Intermediate Rigging courses cover key knowledge areas of the NCCCO Rigger Level I certification exam, while the Advanced Rigging course closely follows topics relevant to the NCCCO Rigger Level II certification.
NCCCO certification is not a legal requirement under OSHA regulations. Employers must designate riggers as qualified, though they may accept third-party credentials as evidence of qualification.
What are the steps to becoming a qualified crane rigger?
Qualifying as a crane operation rigger requires an understanding of rigging principles, including how to safely secure and release a load, select appropriate rigging equipment and inspect equipment before use. Qualification also requires an evaluation during which you will demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
You can gain the required knowledge by completing a formal classroom program, a professional education or high-quality online training course. Our Basic Rigging Safety Training course teaches everything you need to know and provides a Certificate of Completion you can submit to your employer.
Before you can serve as a rigger, you must demonstrate your abilities to your employer or earn a recognized credential from a third-party evaluator (like NCCCO). You may need to complete multiple evaluations for different types of lifting operations or equipment.
How long is this course?
Each course contains 10 lesson modules, but the depth of content grows as you build on your expertise. Completing all lessons, quizzes and the final exam will take approximately:
- Three hours for the basic course
- Four hours for the intermediate course
- Five hours for the advanced course
Work through the lessons at your own pace. Progress is saved automatically, so you can pick up where you left off after each study session. You have 180 days to finish your training.
Can one person act as both rigger and signal person?
Yes. If a single person is separately qualified to act as a rigger and a signal person, that individual may perform both duties during the same operation.
Federal crane safety regulations may require the use of multiple qualified persons for complex or dangerous operations or during multi-crane lifts.
When is a qualified rigger required?
Qualified riggers must assist in all lifts that meet any of these conditions:
- During any assembly or disassembly work for a crane or derrick
- During the initial connection of a load to any component or structure
- Whenever workers are present in the fall zone and a load is being hooked up, unhooked or guided
For all such operations, having a qualified person on site isn't enough. All materials must be rigged only by a qualified individual.
What standards apply to rigging?
OSHA standards for the use of cranes and derricks in construction, including rigging requirements, can be found in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.
Equivalent standards for other industries can be found in 29 CFR 1910.179 and 1910.184.
ASME is an industry-leading organization that provides best practices and safety standards. While ASME cannot create or enforce workplace safety laws, its expertise is often referenced by federal regulations.
ASME B30.9 and ASME B30.26 cover rigging equipment in depth, including everything from inspection, testing and manufacturing guidance to protocols for use, attachment and maintenance. Covered materials include:
- Rigging blocks
- Load indicating devices
- Rope clips
- Shackles
- Rings and swivels
- Synthetic webbing and fiber rope
- Metal mesh
- Wire rope
- Steel chain
- And more
The NCCCO is a respected third-party evaluator. NCCCO offers two levels of rigger certification examination. While NCCCO certification is widely recognized, it is not an OSHA-approved credential.
When does my training expire?
Your Certificate of Completion will not expire. OSHA does not require renewal training by law. You should periodically complete refresher training to sharpen your skills and update your knowledge. Your employer may also require you to complete refresher training following an accident or near miss.
If you change jobs, you may need to complete a higher level of rigger safety training to effectively perform the duties of your new role.
Related Courses
- Signal Person Training
- Crane Safety in Industrial and Construction Environments
- Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators and Conveyors
- Rigging Safety
- Rigging and Material Handling
- Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Operator Certification
- National Flagger Certification