Before a load ever leaves the ground, a series of decisions can determine whether a lifting operation ends safely or turns into an accident.

The most important moment of a lift is not always when the load is suspended.

In many cases, the safety of the entire operation is determined before the first sling is even connected.

That is why a professional rigger does not simply start attaching lifting accessories. First, they observe, assess, verify, and plan.

But what exactly should a rigger check before lifting a load?

What Is a Rigger?

A rigger, also known as a load handler or rigging professional, is responsible for preparing and connecting a load to lifting equipment using the appropriate rigging equipment and methods for the operation.

Depending on the job, a rigger may work with:

• Slings.
• Shackles.
• Hooks.
• Chains.
• Wire rope.
• Spreader beams or lifting beams.
• Lifting eyes and designated lifting points.
• Pulleys.
• Other lifting accessories.

The job is not simply to “tie down” or “attach” a load.

A rigger must understand how the load will behave once it is suspended, how forces will be distributed, and what conditions could affect the safety of the lift.

1. Know the Load Before Lifting It

The first step is to correctly identify the load.

Whenever the information is available, the rigger should know:

• Load weight.
• Dimensions.
• Shape.
• Center of gravity.
• Lifting points.
• Condition of the load.
• Any loose or moving components.

The weight should come from reliable information such as technical documentation, engineering drawings, identification plates, or information provided by the person responsible for the operation.

Never guess the weight of a load.

A significant difference between the actual weight and an estimated weight can completely change the equipment and rigging requirements.

2. Identify the Center of Gravity

Knowing the weight is not enough.

The rigger must also determine where the center of gravity is located.

Why does this matter?

Because a suspended load will naturally move in relation to its center of gravity.

If the connection points are incorrectly positioned, the load may:

• Tilt.
• Rotate.
• Shift.
• Become unstable.

Before lifting, the rigger must understand how the load is expected to behave once it leaves the ground.

3. Inspect the Rigging Equipment

All rigging equipment should be inspected before use.

This includes:

Slings

Check for cuts, tears, abrasion, burns, contamination, deformation, and damaged stitching.

Shackles

Inspect the body and pin for deformation, excessive wear, corrosion, and proper identification.

Hooks

Check for deformation, cracks, excessive wear, or other damage.

Chains

Inspect links for deformation, excessive wear, corrosion, or other damage.

Wire Rope

Look for signs of wear, corrosion, broken wires, kinking, crushing, or other conditions that could affect its integrity.

If a rigging component has a condition that raises doubts about its safety, do not use it.

4. Verify the Rated Capacity

A lifting accessory should never be selected simply because it “looks strong.”

The rigger must verify its rated capacity according to the manufacturer’s specifications and make sure it is appropriate for the configuration being used.

The capacity of a rigging component can be affected by factors such as:

• Sling angles.
• Connection method.
• Rigging configuration.
• Load geometry.
• Weight distribution.

For example, in a multiple-leg sling configuration, the tension in each leg depends on the configuration and the angles involved.

That is why the rated capacity of a sling should never be considered in isolation.

5. Select the Correct Rigging Method

There is no single way to rig every load.

Depending on the load’s shape and characteristics, different configurations may be appropriate, provided they comply with applicable procedures and manufacturer instructions.

The rigger should evaluate:

• Number of connection points.
• Location of lifting points.
• Sling type.
• Sling angles.
• Need for edge protection.
• Need for shackles.
• Need for a spreader beam or lifting beam.
• Possibility of load movement.

The objective is to create a stable connection that allows the load to remain controlled throughout the lifting operation.

6. Protect Slings and Rigging Components

Sharp edges are one of the major hazards for synthetic slings.

When a sling comes into contact with a corner or edge that could damage it, appropriate protection should be used when required.

The rigger should always ask:

What will happen to the sling once the load starts moving?

An edge that appears harmless while the load is on the ground can become a cutting or abrasion point once tension is applied.

7. Inspect the Lifting Equipment

The inspection does not stop with the rigging accessories.

The equipment performing the lift must also be checked.

Depending on the operation, this may include:

• Mobile cranes.
• Overhead cranes.
• Tower cranes.
• Hoists.
• Chain falls.
• Other lifting equipment.

The equipment’s rated capacity and configuration must be appropriate for the planned lift.

For mobile cranes, factors such as configuration, operating radius, and ground conditions must also be considered.

8. Inspect the Work Area

A load can be properly rigged and the operation can still be unsafe because of hazards around it.

Before lifting, the rigger should participate in identifying:

• Obstacles.
• Nearby structures.
• Equipment.
• Vehicles.
• Personnel.
• Power lines.
• Uneven ground.
• Restricted spaces.
• Other hazards in the work area.

A load does not move in isolation.

The surrounding environment is part of the lift.

9. Define the Load Travel Path

Before lifting, the team should know where the load will travel.

The path should be analyzed from:

Pick-up point → travel path → set-down point.

During this assessment, identify potential obstacles and areas where the load could contact structures, equipment, or other objects.

Whenever possible, the travel path should be clear and controlled.

10. Establish an Exclusion Zone

One of the fundamental rules of any lifting operation is keeping people away from suspended loads.

The work area should be controlled according to the hazards associated with the operation.

Personnel who are not directly involved in the lift should not remain within the hazard area.

And one rule should never be forgotten:

Never stand or allow anyone to stand beneath a suspended load.

11. Coordinate With the Operator and Signal Person

A safe lift requires communication.

The rigger should coordinate with the operator and, when applicable, the signal person before the operation begins.

Everyone should understand:

• The signals being used.
• The communication method.
• The load travel path.
• The set-down location.
• The conditions under which the operation must stop.

A clearly designated signal person should direct the operator whenever the operation requires one.

If communication is lost or a signal is unclear, stop the operation until safe communication is restored.

12. Perform a Test Lift

Before fully raising the load, a test lift should be performed when required by the lifting procedure.

The load is raised slightly to verify:

• Balance.
• Stability.
• Sling behavior.
• Center-of-gravity position.
• Security of the connections.

If the load begins to tilt or move unexpectedly, lower it and correct the rigging configuration before continuing.

It is much easier to correct a load while it is close to the ground than when it is fully suspended.

13. Stop the Lift if Conditions Change

A carefully planned lifting operation can still change.

A vehicle may enter the area, environmental conditions may change, an obstacle may appear, or a problem may be discovered with a rigging component.

The rigger must be prepared to stop the operation whenever conditions are no longer safe.

Stopping a lift does not mean the operation has failed.

It means someone identified a hazard before it became an accident.

Basic Rigger Checklist Before a Lift

Before starting the operation, the rigger should be able to answer:

Do I know the load’s actual weight?

Do I know its center of gravity?

Are the lifting points suitable?

Has the rigging equipment been inspected?

Are the rated capacities appropriate for the configuration?

Are the slings protected against damaging edges?

Is the lifting equipment suitable for the operation?

Is the travel path clear?

Has an exclusion zone been established?

Do the operator and signal person understand the lifting plan?

Has communication been established?

Can the load be lifted in a stable manner?

Is there a procedure for stopping the operation if conditions change?

If any answer is “no” or “I’m not sure,” the operation should stop until the issue is resolved.

Conclusion: A Good Rigger Thinks Before Lifting

A professional rigger does not measure their work only by how quickly a load can be prepared.

The real job begins long before the lift.

Observe. Identify. Inspect. Calculate. Communicate. Verify.

A properly rigged load is not simply a load that can be lifted. It is a load whose stability, connections, travel path, and operating conditions have been evaluated before it is put into motion.

Because there is one rule in lifting operations that never loses its importance:

Plan first. Verify everything. Then lift.

The experience of a good rigger is not demonstrated when everything happens to go according to plan.