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Riggers

SOC 49-9096.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers rigging practice in construction, industrial, and specialty environments including load attachment, hoisting operations, confined-space maneuvering, crew coordination, and safety management across entry through principal career levels.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Basic rigging terminology and equipment names — identify and define under direct supervisor guidance on an active job site.
  2. Pre-use inspection checklists — apply to cables, slings, and hooks following established protocols before each lift.
  3. Hand signals and verbal communication cues — recognize and respond to when directed by an experienced rigger during load movements.
  4. Simple load attachment points — identify and use hand tools to secure basic loads to rigging hardware under close supervision.
  5. Standard gear selection charts — read and reference to match cable or pulley ratings to given load weights with supervisor confirmation.
  6. Personal protective equipment requirements — follow and demonstrate correct use in a construction or industrial rigging environment.
  7. Rigging equipment storage procedures — assist with dismantling and organizing gear after use according to site protocols.
  8. Basic hoist and pulley operation — observe and perform simple tasks under direction to support material movement on a job site.
  9. Work order documents and rigging plans — read and interpret basic written instructions to prepare for assigned tasks.
  10. Safety hazard recognition — identify common rigging dangers such as overloaded lines or improper angles and report them to a supervisor.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Rigging safety tests — conduct pre-lift checks on assembled rigging systems with reduced oversight to confirm load integrity.
  2. Worker coordination signals — issue clear hand and verbal signals to hoist operators and ground crew during routine lifting operations.
  3. Load attachment techniques — apply slings, shackles, and chains to varied load shapes using appropriate hitches in a production environment.
  4. Gear selection decisions — evaluate load weights, dimensions, and facility constraints to choose cables, pulleys, and winches independently for standard lifts.
  5. Multi-point suspension setups — rig and balance loads at multiple attachment points to enable controlled tilting and turning around common obstacles.
  6. Chainfall and gin pole operation — use manually operated equipment to move moderately heavy loads through tight or confined spaces.
  7. Rigging hardware maintenance — inspect, clean, and store equipment after each job and flag worn or damaged components for replacement.
  8. Rigging drawings and load charts — read and apply standard documentation to plan and execute assigned lifts without step-by-step supervision.
  9. Time and task coordination — organize sequence of rigging activities to meet project schedules in a construction or industrial setting.
  10. Incident and near-miss documentation — record and communicate observations using site reporting forms and email software to support safety programs.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex rigging system integrity — design, assemble, and independently test full rigging setups for heavy or non-standard loads across varied industrial environments.
  2. Non-routine lift planning — analyze load geometry, weight distribution, and site restrictions to develop rigging strategies for unusual or high-risk moves.
  3. Confined-space load control — operate chainfalls, gallows frames, and specialized pulling gear to maneuver oversized equipment through narrow or restricted passages.
  4. Advanced suspension maneuvering — execute multi-point rigging techniques to tilt, dip, and rotate suspended loads safely over, under, and around complex obstacles.
  5. Critical gear assessment — evaluate condition and suitability of cables, winches, and blocks for high-consequence lifts using mechanical knowledge and load calculations.
  6. Crew safety oversight — monitor all workers engaged in hoisting operations in real time and intervene immediately when unsafe conditions arise.
  7. Theatrical and specialized rigging — manipulate rigging lines and hoists to position heavy sets or industrial structures with precision in performance or specialty environments.
  8. Rigging problem resolution — apply critical thinking and field experience to diagnose and correct equipment or technique failures during active lifting operations.
  9. Cross-functional coordination — communicate technical rigging requirements clearly to engineers, project managers, and site crews to align on safe lift execution.
  10. CAD and spreadsheet tools — use computer-aided design and calculation software to review rigging diagrams and verify load capacity figures for planned lifts.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational rigging standards — develop, implement, and maintain site-wide rigging procedures and safety protocols aligned with industry codes and regulatory requirements.
  2. Workforce development — mentor and train apprentice and journeyman riggers in equipment use, lift planning, and safety culture across multiple project teams.
  3. High-consequence lift authorization — review, approve, and take ownership of engineered lift plans for critical or exceptionally heavy loads in complex environments.
  4. Program-level safety leadership — lead investigations into rigging incidents and near-misses and drive systemic corrective actions across the organization.
  5. Resource and equipment strategy — direct procurement, inspection cycles, and retirement decisions for the organization's full inventory of rigging hardware and machinery.
  6. Cross-discipline project coordination — partner with structural engineers, project managers, and clients to integrate rigging requirements into overall construction or installation schedules.
  7. Advanced problem-solving governance — establish decision frameworks that enable field crews to resolve non-routine rigging challenges safely and consistently without executive escalation.
  8. Performance metrics and reporting — design and maintain spreadsheet-based tracking systems to measure lift efficiency, equipment utilization, and safety compliance at organizational scale.
  9. Industry knowledge transfer — represent the organization at trade forums, contribute to standards bodies, and translate regulatory updates into actionable internal training.
  10. Emerging technology adoption — evaluate new rigging technologies, software tools, and lifting equipment and lead phased integration into standard field operations.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors51 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Rigger · Acrobatic Rigger · Boat Rigger · Certified Rigger · Crane Rigger · Fly Rail Operator · Gantry Rigger · Gear Repairer · Grip · Hand Rigger · Heavy Lift Rigger · High Rigger
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0128 · Rigger
O*NET skills
Operation and ControlCritical ThinkingMonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningOperations MonitoringComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementSpeaking
Knowledge domains
MechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementDesignEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingEngineering and TechnologyBuilding and ConstructionMathematics
Abilities
Problem SensitivityControl PrecisionMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionDepth PerceptionTrunk StrengthInformation OrderingFar VisionOral ComprehensionSpeech Recognition
Work styles
DependabilityCautiousnessAttention to DetailStress ToleranceIntegrityPerseverance
Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
  2. Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
  3. Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
  4. Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
  5. Select gear, such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.
  6. Dismantle and store rigging equipment after use.
  7. Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools.
  8. Manipulate rigging lines, hoists, and pulling gear to move or support materials, such as heavy equipment, ships, or theatrical sets.
CIP education codes
46.030146.030347.000047.060047.061747.0618

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.