Qualified Rigger Requirements

A rigger connects the load to the crane. If the rigging is wrong, the load can slip, spin, tip or fall. OSHA’s crane standard for construction requires a qualified rigger for certain tasks. Knowing when you need one, and what “qualified” means, helps prevent the accidents that happen under the hook.

• Construction
• Cranes
• Riggers

What OSHA says

Subpart CC of 29 CFR 1926 covers cranes and derricks in construction. It defines a qualified rigger as a rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person (1926.1401). A qualified person is someone who:

• has a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or has extensive knowledge, training and experience, and
• can successfully demonstrate the ability to solve problems related to the subject, the work or the project.

Whether someone is a qualified rigger depends on the nature of the load, the lift and the equipment used to hoist it, along with the person’s knowledge and experience. A person who is qualified for simple loads may not be qualified for a complex lift.

When a qualified rigger is required

• Assembly and disassembly of cranes: rigging for hoisting during assembly or disassembly of a crane must be done by a qualified rigger (1926.1404(r)). See Crane Setup.
• Hooking, unhooking or guiding a load, or doing the initial connection of a load to a structure, when workers are in the fall zone: the load must be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement, hooks with self-closing latches or the equivalent must be used, and the material must be rigged by a qualified rigger (1926.1425(c)). See Blind Lifts and Crane Basics.
• Other rules also call for qualified or competent people for certain tasks. Check the standard and your employer’s program.

The fall zone is the area in which a load could fall if it came loose. Keep people out of it whenever the load is moving or suspended, except for those who must be there for the tasks above.

What a qualified rigger knows and does

• Knows the load. Estimates or finds the weight and the center of gravity, and knows how the load will behave when lifted. See Estimating Load Weight.
• Chooses the right gear. Selects slings, shackles, hooks, spreader bars and lifting devices rated for the load and the angle. See Rigging Basics, Sling Hitches and Shackles.
• Inspects the gear before use and removes damaged items. See Sling Inspection and Wire Rope.
• Calculates sling angles and capacities, since lower angles greatly increase tension. See Synthetic Slings and Chain Slings.
• Protects slings from sharp edges and sets hitches correctly.
• Plans the lift with the crane operator and the lift director: route, signals, landing area, clearances and hazards such as power lines. See Lift Planning and Cranes & Power Lines.
• Keeps the load stable: uses tag lines where needed, never lets the load pass over people, and stops the lift if something looks wrong. See Below-the-Hook Devices.
• Works with a qualified signal person and communicates clearly. See Crane Hand Signals and Signal Person Qualification.

Qualified is not the same as certified

• Certification from an accredited organization, such as the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) rigger programs, is one way to show knowledge. OSHA doesn’t require a specific card for riggers.
• Employers decide who is a qualified rigger based on training, experience and a demonstration of skill, and they may use certification as part of that decision. A card alone doesn’t make someone qualified for every lift.
• The employer is responsible for making sure riggers are qualified for each job. Document training and evaluations.

See Safety Certifications and Competent vs. Qualified Person.

Rigger duties for safe hooking and guiding

• Use hooks with self-closing safety latches or the equivalent, and make sure they are closed on the load.
• Rig the load so it can’t slip or shift, with the hook over the center of gravity.
• Stay out from under the load, and out of pinch points between the load and fixed objects.
• Use tag lines or other methods to guide loads from a safe distance. Don’t hold a load with your hands near the hook.
• Wait for the operator’s signal before approaching a stopped load, and stay clear when it moves.
• Don’t ride a load or the hook, and don’t remove a sling from under a load that is still bearing weight.

Employer duties

• Identify the tasks that require a qualified rigger, and assign only people who meet the requirements.
• Train workers who help with rigging, such as laborers and ground crew, on the hazards of the fall zone and the signals.
• Provide proper, rated rigging gear, and an inspection and replacement program.
• Make sure the crane operator, signal person and rigger work as a team, and stop the lift when conditions change. See Crane Inspections.

Rigger checklist

• I know the load weight, center of gravity and sling angles
• Rigging gear is rated for the load and inspected
• Hooks have self-closing latches and are closed on the load
• Slings are protected from sharp edges; tag lines are in use
• No one stands in the fall zone except those who must, and only when the load is stopped
• Signals and the lift plan are agreed with the operator

Last updated: October 4, 2026