Crane operators generally don’t work alone. In many instances, it’s impossible for a crane operator to work alone, they simply can’t get a clear vision of the load, any obstacles, or people moving around them. When it comes to lower a load into a precise position, it’s impossible to do it alone. Crane operators spend most of their working lives as a part of a team, and their best friend in that team is the signalperson.

These days, it’s not uncommon for a construction site to have several people who can work as signalpersons. They will have other duties such as heavy equipment operations that they will normally work at, only switching to a signalperson when required. A signalperson’s job is one of precision and clear communication. The crane operator relies on that signalperson to tell them when to raise and lower the load, and when it is safe to swing the load sideways – if the signalperson gets it all wrong, then there is the potential for a serious accident.

What is most important is that the crane operator and signalperson are both talking the same language. If the signalperson signals up slowly, the crane operator clearly understands and complies; likewise, when the signalperson signals a stop, the crane operator stops. This means the crane operator is keeping a very close eye on the signalperson whilst watching everything else.

Rigger and signalperson training and qualification is now a requirement for those working in these positions. Fortunately, the training and assessment is not too onerous. A construction company have the entire crew trained and qualified (with a compliance card issued for each worker) in eight to twelve hours. Certification can take up to 36 hours, however, it is a more comprehensive training program that leads to certification of riggers and signalpersons.

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.

New OSHA Crane Mandates now make it compulsory for all rigging and signal person personnel to meet certifying or qualification standards. For many workers, this involves training and assessment to ensure they meet these standards – and that may include workers who have been in the job for many years. This is a direct effort to increase safety awareness in workplaces, and to ensure there is a minimum standard across all workplaces in the United States where cranes are in use.

Associated Training Services (ATS) has two training programs that are designed to meet these standards. These training programs are:

Rigging / Signalperson – Qualification Program

• Meets OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal person.
• Includes written and practical training and testing.
• 8 to 12 hours depending on number of candidates

Rigging / Signalperson – Certification Program

• Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal person.
• Includes written and practical training and testing.
• 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.

The ATS training programs are flexible and designed to be delivered in the workplace. We come to your site where we deliver a combination of classroom/written subject matter and testing, along with practical instruction and testing relevant to the training programs requested. Upon completion of the rigging/signalperson training program, participants who have successfully completed the required components will receive either a Qualification Compliance Card issued by Associated Training Services (Qualification Program) or NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signalperson Certifications issued by the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (Certification Program).

If you have any doubts as to whether or not your employees currently meet the new OSHA Crane Mandate, contact us. We can assess your situation and determine what training your employees require to comply with these mandates.

Riggers and Signal Persons are required to be qualified under OSHA regulations. Becoming qualified is certainly not difficult and at the very least it should be affordable. Associated Training Services take it one step further offering affordable training and testing as either a qualified or certified rigger/signalperson. The question then is which is your best option – being qualified or certified?

The minimum requirement for a rigger/signalperson is holding a qualification compliance card. However, from an employment perspective, being certified by the National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certainly holds more weight. Employers are always looking to hire the best credentialed workers possible, especially when it comes to safety issues. We also don’t know what the future holds for rigger/signalpersons. The law is constantly changing when it comes to workplace safety and the time may come when all rigger/signalpersons will require certification. We have already seen this with crane operators.

Associated Training Services has a comprehensive certification program for rigger/signalpersons. This program:

1. Exceeds OSHA qualification standard for rigging and signal persons.
2. Includes written and practical training and testing.
3. 32 to 36 hours (4 days) depending on number of candidates.
4. Certification issued by National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).
5. NCCCO Rigging Level One and NCCCO Signal Person Certifications.

Being certified is an important step when looking at your qualifications. Why stop at meeting the minimum requirements when, with just a little more effort, you can gain certification that reflects your knowledge and skills. If you are looking for affordable NCCCO certification, or a qualification compliance card, contact Associated Training Services – we’re leaders in the field of rigger/signalperson training and testing.