The world of construction is constantly changing, especially when it comes to legislative requirements. It seems that every year there is a new set of requirements and, in recent years, these changes have had significant effects on crane operators and riggers/signal persons. Crane operators now need to be certified whilst riggers/signal persons need to have formal acknowledgement of their skills and knowledge.

For riggers and signal persons, this is by undertaking either a qualification or certification program. The certification program is of a higher level and does take a little longer to complete. After completing this program you will be certified at Rigging Level One. If you complete the qualification program you will receive a qualification compliance card, the minimum standard for riggers and signal persons.

Employers have been encouraged to have their work crews trained and either qualified or certified in groups. At ATS, we deliver training to work groups, either in our training school or at an employer’s work place – whichever is best suited to individual employers. We can also design our rigger/signalpersons training to include workplace-specific skills whilst still covering the standards set by the relevant authorities.

If you are not either certified or qualified, then you shouldn’t now be working as either a rigger or signalperson. The onus is on employers to ensure that their workers meet all the requirements set down by OSHA – failure to do so can lead to huge fines. If you don’t meet these requirements, or you’re an employer who has workers who don’t meet these requirements, contact us to discuss the best training options available.

One of the more important jobs on a construction site is that of the rigger. A rigger does a lot of work that reduces the risk of injury to others working on that construction site. Riggers also work closely with crane operators to ensure the safe movement of materials by that crane. Because safety has become an important issue in all workplaces, steps were taken to ensure that all riggers meet a minimum standard of training and knowledge. To comply with these regulations, riggers are now required to complete a training program, or at least demonstrate their skills and knowledge and to be issued with a compliance card that verifies their skills and knowledge.

That is the very minimum requirement. Some employers look for a wider range of skills and knowledge, preferring to employ those who have become certified riggers. Certification is a longer, more in depth training program and is often the minimum requirement for those in positions of authority.

The ATS OSHA rigger training programs are designed to meet these minimum standards. You can either go through the certification program or opt for the shorter compliance card program, depending on your requirements. For employers, group training has many cost benefits, especially if undertaken in the workplace. Downtime is reduced, and all employees receive the same training – and that includes any modifications that may be required to suit your workplace.

If your employees do not meet the minimum requirements under OSHA regulations, then you can be fined. If someone is hurt or killed in a workplace incident and your workers don’t meet these regulations, then the cost could be much higher than a simple fine.

There are times when ‘just good enough’ is not going to be good enough. Under current workplace regulations, all riggers and signalpersons require qualification. This is a basic standard that ensures workers follow the OSHA guidelines when working as either riggers or signalpersons.

After basic rigger training, your workers will receive a qualification compliance card. Whilst that means your workers meet OSHA guidelines, is it really enough for your workplace. Those who are in a leadership role generally need more in-depth training that covers a wider range of topics. Our qualification training program can be completed in as little as eight hours – our certification program requires at least 32 hours of training and assessment. Furthermore, on completion, graduates are issued both the NCCCO Rigging Level One and the NCCCO Signalperson Certification.

Our rigger/signalperson training program exceeds the OSHA qualification standards and prepares participants well for busy workplaces, especially as team leaders. The aims of both programs are to make workers more safety conscious, to increase their skills, and to increase their knowledge of rigging. For employers, we can offer training in our classrooms, or at your workplace, whichever is most convenient.

Associated Training Services (ATS) delivers training though highly trained and respected rigger and signal training instructors. ATS has almost fifty years of training experience in areas of heavy equipment operations, crane operations and truck driving. We have developed a good reputation for producing well-trained graduates – if you need to ensure your workers are OSHA-compliant, then talk to us – we can discuss your needs and organize training programs to fit in with your workers’ buys schedules.

Under OSHA regulations, all riggers must now have, as a minimum, a qualification compliance card. Whilst this is the minimum standard, many workplaces are now preferring riggers that have rigger certification, which is the next level up. Qualification compliance cards are issued once a rigger has demonstrated the skills, knowledge and safety consciousness required to work as a rigger.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools deliver training and assessment of both riggers and signal persons. The training and assessment program meets the OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signalpersons. The program takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on number of candidates and includes written and practical training and testing. A qualification compliance card is then issued to verify the successful completion of the training program.

For those looking to gain a certification, the ATS training program more than meets the OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signalperson. The training program takes between 32 to 36 hours (depending on number of candidates) and includes both written and practical training and testing. On completion, participants are eligible to receive certification – this is issued by the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Participants will be certified as either NCCCO Rigging Level One or NCCCO Signal Person Certifications.

Training is available for both individuals or for employer groups. Training can be undertaken in our training rooms, or in the workplace for employer groups. If your employees do not have the minimum qualification standard, then you could be liable for severe penalties under the OSHA regulations. Contact us for more information if your employees require training and/or assessment to meet the minimum requirements.

The construction industry has gone through considerable change over the last five years. A lot of changes have been forced through legislation that now mandates employers in respect to safety training, compliance, and the certification of many occupations. Crane operators were amongst the first to feel the effect of these changes, and in recent years riggers and signal persons have felt its effects.

To be employed on a construction site as a rigger, you now need some form of recognition of your skills and safety knowledge. This is generally achieved through training and certification. Many heavy equipment operators have been in the construction industry for years and have managed to seek certification (or qualification) based on that experience and the currency of their knowledge. Those who are now looking to take up positions as riggers (or signal persons) need the appropriate training and assessment in order to formally receive certification.

Training and certification is not a long process (three to four days depending on experience and knowledge) and can be completed as part of a group training exercise onsite, or as part of a class at a training school. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools has been certified to deliver both the training and certification of riggers and signal persons. Certification is a nationally recognized award, which means successful individuals can work in any state without further training or assessment.

If you require OSHA-compliant rigger certification, then you (or your employer) should contact us for details on our training programs. If OSHA inspectors determine that employees have not met the minimum requirements to work as riggers, then that employer could be liable to large fines. The construction industry is constantly changing and the emphasis now is only making these workplaces safer for all. Rigger and signal person training is one of those areas that was targeted for change – are you OSHA compliant?

In heavy equipment, there is a huge need for people to hoist, lift, push, and pull heavy objects. There is special equipment for these large tasks and riggers are the people who operate that equipment. In order to secure advanced employment in the heavy equipment field as a rigger, you’ll need to be trained on this equipment.

ATS has a special training course just for riggers.

When you enroll in the ATS rigger course you’ll be trained according to the standards established by OSHA. There are two programs that will qualify you for work as a rigger on a heavy equipment operations team.

• Rigger Qualification Program – This training program includes written and practical training and testing. It includes 8 to 12 hours of training, and once you complete training ATS will issue you a rigger qualification compliance card.
• Rigger Certification Program – The ATS Rigger Certification Program consists of 32 to 36 hours of training and it also includes a written and practical training and testing portion during the course. ATS is not authorized to certify riggers so you’ll get your final certification certificate from the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

Both of these courses will train you and qualify you to work as a rigger and as a signalperson on a heavy equipment operations team. Once you receive your qualifications you can start work immediately upon finding an employer. You are just a few short hours of being a qualified or certified heavy equipment rigger.

To the untrained eye, a construction site often looks quite a bit like controlled chaos. Dump trucks driving all over the construction site and cranes moving loads from one location to another. It truly seems as though every worker has his own agenda to complete his own task. In reality, there is a lot more going on than this, especially in regards to the cranes and their proper operation. For each crane, there is a highly trained Rigger and a Signalperson involved in every movement they are making to ensure safety and proper execution.

At first glance, the crane operator seems to be the person with the most responsibility on a work site, and in fact, they are accountable for the safety of the entire work site. But, the Rigger is just as responsible for the safety of the crane operations. This includes the proper rigging of loads prior to them being lifted. To perform this properly, weight charts must be read and the proper rigging equipment used. This is an essential piece of the site’s overall safety as some of these loads can be extremely heavy and dangerous to coworkers.

Once the load is appropriately secured, it is then the Signalperson’s duty to safely guide the crane operator to perform the proper movement of the load from the rigging location to its final resting spot. Much like the director of an orchestra, the Signal person has to keep the flow of work moving to ensure the job is completed, but even more importantly, he must make certain that all crane activities are performed safely. This is performed using hand signals that must become second nature to the Signal person and the crane operator.

The Rigger and Signalperson have a great deal of responsibility to ensure the crew on the work site is safe, while at the same time, ensuring the job is correctly completed. Due to this responsibility and the importance of this position, it is mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that Rigger and Signalperson training must be performed, and a worker must be qualified or certified prior to performing this duty.

To be employed as a rigger or a signal person, you need to meet OSHA crane mandated qualifications. Riggers and signal persons have demanding jobs that come with a lot of responsibility. While a crane operator may be controlling the load, it is the rigger/signal person who is directing the crane operator – the two work hand in hand as a close team. In fact, in most cases, neither can operate without the other.

Meeting the minimum mandated qualifications need not be costly, nor should it impact on a business’s ability to operate. Winter is often the quiet time for many construction companies, so it is the perfect time to consider training options, especially for those individuals who may only perform certain tasks (like signal person) occasionally. Having several workers trained and qualified creates a flexible team of employees that makes allocating work tasks much easier.

ATS (Associated Training Services) has one of the most affordable OSHA compliant rigger/signalperson training programs available. Training can be adapted to workplaces when required ensuring there is minimal disruption to a business’s productivity. Our rigger and signal person certification program:

• Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal persons.
• Includes written and practical training and testing.
• 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.
• Certification issued by National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
• NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signal Person Certifications.

Being able to undertake training and certification through the one training organization helps to ensure that minimal disruption. ATS has over 40 years training experience and we have developed a solid reputation amongst employers for delivery training that is appropriate while meeting national standards.

If you are looking to become a certified rigger or signal person, or if you’re an employer that could benefit through the certification of employees, then contact us for more information on rigger and signal person training and certification.

Construction sites rely on people working together in teams. Crane operators rely on those on the ground around them to provide directions, however, the only way a crane operator can understand those directions is if everyone is talking the same language. On a construction site, verbal communication can be difficult, so a special set of signals has been created that operators and those designed as signal persons learn. In today’s workplace, riggers and signal-persons need to trained and they must be able to prove they are competent before they can work in those areas. To be OSHA compliant, riggers and signal-persons need to be certified as competent, this may include training followed by an assessment of a person’s skills and knowledge.

Employers are responsible for ensuring their workers are all OSHA compliant. This includes arranging training and assessments of employees to achieve certification. ATS has developed OSHA Certified Crane Rigging training that is both affordable and accessible. Most importantly, it’s not taxing when it comes to time away from the workplace.

Our Rigger and Signal-Person Certification program:

• Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal persons.
• Includes written and practical training and testing.
• 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.
• Certification issued by National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
• NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signal Person Certifications.

If your employees are experienced, then they may only require assessment and certification, which makes the process even quicker. If you’re an employer who employs people in the positions of rigger and/or signal-person, and you need to have them certified, then contact one of our enrollment officers. They will be able to advise you on the best training options available, and provide you with a competitive quote.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has, over the last few years, introduced mandatory requirements for many industries. These requirements cover general employment as well as specific occupations; for example, crane operators must now be certified and construction workers must all receive OSHA construction training. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that all employees have been through this training and to organize training for those who have not. One of the latest groups to come under the scrutiny of OSHA are riggers and signal persons.

Riggers and signal persons must now be assessed as qualified before they can be employed on any site. Qualification can be achieved in a number of ways, however, the easiest is through a Rigging/Signal Person Qualification Program. This program is undertaken over 8-12 hours and includes required training and written and practical assessments. Once participants have completed the required components, they are issued with a qualification compliance card.

If you want more rigorous training, then the Rigging/Signal Person Certification Program is available. Participants who complete this program will receive certification through the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Whilst the NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signal Person Certifications are above the minimum requirements for OSHA, they provide an extra level of safety further reducing accidents and expensive down time.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that all workers have undertaken the minimum level of training required. You are obliged to keep accurate records of the training that each employee has received. Employing individuals who are not trained to those minimum requirements can lead to heavy fines, and listing by OSHA as an unsafe employer. If your employees are not fully trained, talk to ATS – we can organize group training either in our training rooms, or at your site.