OSHA/C-DAC
Requirements for Riggers &
Signal Persons
What you need to do to be in
compliance with the new rules
“Qualified Riggers”
 A qualified rigger is required during hoisting
activities & whenever workers are in the fall
zone.
 A qualified rigger must “possess a recognized
degree, certificate, or professional standing,
or has extensive knowledge, training,&
experience, and can successfully
demonstrate the ability to solve problems
related to rigging loads.”
Who determines if a rigger is
“qualified”?
 OSHA says that the EMPLOYER has the
responsibility to determine if a rigger is
qualified.
 “Employers must determine whether a person
is qualified to perform specific rigging tasks.”
 Qualification is limited to the individuals
experience, knowledge and training. For
example, a person who is qualified to rig
structural steel, may not be qualified to rig
mechanical equipment.
What steps can you take to achieve
compliance?
 Do an assessment of your employees to
determine who has a rigging background, and
to what degree are they qualified.
 Determine who in each work group you are
comfortable with as one of YOUR “qualified
riggers”.
 If that person/those people have not received
formal rigging training, or cannot certify that
training, arrange for a class.
What do you look for when arranging
a rigging training class?
 Always look for a trainer who will sit down and
discuss your company & what you do.
 Discuss your concerns based on your
experiences. Tell the trainer about any
situations/problems that have occurred in the
past.
 Be sure to make the trainer aware of all
company policies that relate to rigging. For
example, some companies do not use
synthetic slings, while others may not use
chains.
How long is a training class, & where
should they be done?
 A good rigging training class should last 4-5
hours. Asking a reputable trainer to cut that
down to 2 hours is like telling your doctor to
speed up that by-pass surgery.
 Classes should be done in a “classroom like”
environment. Job trailers with telephones
ringing & people coming in and out are not
the best situation for training.
Signal Person qualification
requirement
 A signal person is required when “the point of
operation is not in full view of the operator,
&/or the operators view is obstructed in the
direction the equipment is traveling , &/or
either the operator or the person handling the
load determines that a signal person is
needed.”
 The employer must take steps to ensure that
the signal person is qualified.
What must a “qualified signal person”
know?
 The person must know the standard hand & voice
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signals.
The person must demonstrate their competence in
using the standard hand & voice signals.
They must understand the characteristics and
limitations of the hoisting equipment.
They must understand the newest standards for
working with hoisting equipment near power lines.
The person must pass either an oral or written test &
a practical test.
What is required for qualification as a
“signal person”?
 Employers must use a “Third Party qualified
evaluator” or they may use their own “qualified
evaluator”. An “in house” evaluation is acceptable
to OSHA, but may not be accepted by other
employers.
 The person must receive training, be tested on
the material, & be tested in the practical
application of the material.
 OSHA says that the EMPLOYER has the
responsibility to determine if a signal person is
qualified.
Requirement of proof for the qualified
signal person
 “Employers must make the documentation of
the signal person’s qualifications available at
the worksite.”
 Each qualified signal person should carry a
card that acts as proof of their qualifications.
 Persons who cannot supply proof of their
qualification as a signal person, cannot
perform signaling and are subject to fines if
they do attempt to signal.