What does a rigger do on an offshore platform?

Rigger — Offshore Platform

A Rigger on an offshore platform plans, prepares, and executes lifting and load-handling operations to move equipment and materials safely and efficiently across the installation, maintaining compliance with lifting standards and preventing dropped objects and line-of-fire incidents.

I. Core Responsibilities

• I.1 Lift execution — Sling, hook, and guide loads; attach/detach lifting gear; manage tag lines; control load path and landing.
• I.2 Signalling — Act as banksman/slinger for the crane operator using hand signals and radios; confirm clearances and blind lifts.
• I.3 Rigging plan implementation — Interpret lift plans, rigging drawings, and load charts; verify load weight, CoG, and sling angles before each lift.
• I.4 Pre-use inspection — Inspect slings, shackles, hooks, spreader bars, lifting points, pad eyes; quarantine damaged gear; verify certifications and color codes.
• I.5 Temporary lifting points — Fit/remove pad eyes, beam clamps, chain blocks/lever hoists; set up pull points and snatch blocks for mechanical advantage where required.
• I.6 Toolbox talks & permits — Run/participate in pre-lift briefings, task risk assessments, and permit-to-work; define exclusion zones and barriers.
• I.7 Load security — Apply load restraint for transport (sea fastening, cargo lashing); verify center of gravity and tie-down patterns.
• I.8 Deck logistics — Stow, stage, and backload cargo; coordinate with materials personnel; maintain clear laydown and walkways.
• I.9 Documentation — Complete lifting checklists, pre-use inspection records, rigging registers, and post-lift reports; update asset tags.
• I.10 Emergency readiness — Support crane/lifting emergency procedures (e.g., loss of crane power, weather abort, suspended loads); maintain escape routes.

II. Required Skills and Demands

II.A Technical skills

• II.A.1 Sling selection — Choose wire rope/chain/synthetic slings by WLL, mode factor, temperature/chemical compatibility, and D/d constraints.
• II.A.2 Load calculations — Compute sling tensions, angle factors, load share, CoG, and shackle sizing; read crane load charts by radius and configuration.
• II.A.3 Rigging hardware — Proficiency with shackles, hooks, master links, spreader bars, lifting beams, turnbuckles, pad eyes, swivel rings, and load cells.
• II.A.4 Signalling & communications — Standard hand signals, banksman control, radio protocols, blind-lift procedures.
• II.A.5 Inspection — Identify wear, deformation, corrosion, broken wires, UV/chemical damage on slings; gauge throat openings; check certification status.
• II.A.6 Standards & compliance — Apply offshore lifting rules, color-coding schemes, lifting categorization (routine/non-routine/critical), and dropped-object prevention.

II.B Soft skills

• II.B.1 Situational awareness — Maintain line-of-fire control, pinch-point avoidance, and weather/wind judgment.
• II.B.2 Communication — Clear, assertive coordination with crane ops and deck teams; escalation when conditions change.
• II.B.3 Teamwork — Seamless collaboration with multi-discipline crews during simultaneous operations (SIMOPS).
• II.B.4 Discipline — Adherence to procedures, stop-work authority, and permit controls.

II.C Physical demands

• II.C.1 Manual handling — Frequent lifting up to 25–35 kg; pushing/pulling rigging gear.
• II.C.2 Environment — Work in wind, rain, salt spray; potential night shifts; exposure to noise and vibration.
• II.C.3 Access — Climbing, working at heights, confined spaces (as permitted and trained).
• II.C.4 PPE — Hard hat, eye/hand protection, FR coveralls, lifejacket, fall arrest, anti-slip footwear, hearing protection.

II.D Applied formulas (field use)

• II.D.1 Sling tension (symmetrical, 2-leg) — \( T = \dfrac{W}{2 \cos \theta} \) where W = load weight, ? = sling angle from horizontal.
• II.D.2 Angle factor — \( \text{AF} = \dfrac{1}{\cos \theta} \); Required sling WLL = \( \text{AF} \times \dfrac{W}{n} \), n = number of load-bearing legs.
• II.D.3 CoG and moments — For lift point spacing L with offset x to CoG, balance moments: \( \sum M = 0 \Rightarrow R_1 L = W x \) giving reactions \( R_1, R_2 = W - R_1 \).
• II.D.4 D/d ratio (wire rope on hardware) — Estimated: \( \dfrac{D}{d} \ge 20 \) to limit bend fatigue; verify against sling manufacturer data.
• II.D.5 Load share (multi-leg) — Only legs in tension count; unequal angles increase leg tension; check worst-case leg against WLL.

III. Tools, Software, and Equipment

• III.1 Lifting gear — Wire rope/chain/synthetic slings, grommets, shackles (bow/D), hooks (safety/latched), master links, shorteners.
• III.2 Spreader/beam systems — Adjustable spreader bars, lifting beams, softeners/edge protection, sling protectors.
• III.3 Hoists and pulling — Chain blocks, lever hoists, tirfors, come-alongs, snatch blocks, sheaves.
• III.4 Measurement & monitoring — Dynamometers/load cells, inclinometers, tape/radius gauges, calipers, torque wrenches for lifting points.
• III.5 Inspection & tracking — RFID/QR-tagged rigging registers, inspection apps, color-code systems, NDT by qualified personnel when required.
• III.6 Planning tools — Lift planning/calculator apps, 2D CAD for lift sketches, basic 3D visualization for complex picks.
• III.7 Communications — Intrinsically safe radios, headsets, standard signal cards; lighting for night lifts.
• III.8 Cranes & auxiliaries — Platform/rig cranes (operated by certified crane operators), man-baskets (if authorized), tagline reels, barricades.

IV. Work Environment

• IV.1 Location — Fixed platforms, jack-ups, semisubmersibles, drillships, FPSOs; deck, cellar deck, topsides modules.
• IV.2 Schedule — 12-hour shifts; typical hitches 14/14, 21/21, or 28/28; rotation may include night shifts.
• IV.3 Conditions — Weather-dependent operations; lifts paused for high wind/sea states or poor visibility.
• IV.4 Travel — Helideck transfers; occasional crew boat; pre-mobilization inductions and medicals.
• IV.5 SIMOPS — Coordination around drilling, maintenance, and construction activities; strict exclusion zones.

V. Reporting Lines and Interfaces

• V.1 Reports to — Lifting Supervisor or Deck Foreman; functionally aligned with Offshore Installation/Construction Supervisor.
• V.2 Direct interfaces — Crane Operator, Banksman/Slinger team, Materials Coordinator, Logistics/Marine, Maintenance/Mechanical, Electrical/Instrument, Drilling/Marine crew, HSE.
• V.3 External interfaces — Third-party NDT/inspection technicians; vendor reps for specialty lifts or tools.
• V.4 Handoffs — Delivers executed lift documentation, updated rigging register entries, and status to Lifting Supervisor and Materials/Logistics.

VI. Career Ladder and Progression

• VI.1 Entry — Rigger (Stage 1/2 certification), banksman/slinger qualified, valid offshore survival, HUET, H2S awareness, work-at-height and confined-space where applicable.
• VI.2 Next roles — Lead Rigger ? Lifting Supervisor ? Deck Foreman ? Rigging Superintendent ? Offshore Construction Supervisor ? Onshore Lifting/Construction Engineer (estimated for final step).
• VI.3 To progress — Demonstrated competency in complex/non-routine lifts, critical lift planning participation, inspection competencies, incident-free performance, leadership in toolbox talks.
• VI.4 Additional credentials — Advanced rigger (Stage 3), lifting supervisor certification, rigging gear inspection qualification, crane familiarization, permit-to-work controller (as required).