Shackles for rigging

There are many jobs a rigger performs that require the use of shackles, that you may not be aware of, so lets look at the types of shackles used.
Shackles are used to connect wires, chains and link to other devices, allowing lifting and moving with ease.
There are two types of shackles that can be used that are either closed with a screw pin or a safety pin.
Shackles come in a range of colours to be easily identified to the type of task being performed. These colours of the shackles are bright and stand out. The main colours are Blue, Green and Silver.
What are the various types of shackles available?

Blue in colour :

• Bow shackles safety pin
• Bow shackles screw pin
• Dee shackles safety pin
• Dee shackles screw pin

Silver colour:

• Dee shackle

Green in colour:

• Bow shackle safety pin
• Bow shackles screw pin
• Dee shackle safety pin
• Dee shackle screw pin
• Heavy Duty Bow
• Sling
• Super
• Wide mouth

What areas can you see a shackle being used?

1. Safety Harness – a safety harness warn by a rigger has many dee or bow shackles connected to a belt, so as the rigger can be connected to an object, or attached to a crane for safety from falling.
2. Cranes – a shackle can be a permanent fixture to the end of the crane or simply attached to move objects securely and safely
3. Pulley System – you will find a shackle attaching a rope or sling to an object to allow the ease of lifting it as it may be too heavy for manual movement.

What is involved in being a rigger?

A rigger can be a versatile career path to take if your looking at become a rigger. Whether it be in construction, mining, defence force, and many other careers that involve lifting, pulleys and cranes.

It is certainly not a job for anyone, as it involves the physical fitness and strength to lift heavy objects, and being able to withstand extreme heights to perform tasks hanging in the air.

Most jobs as a rigger involve some form of qualification as you need to be prepared and understand the many safety aspects involved in being a rigger. As like most things you need to be shown how to do a job, and learn the many skills involved before you can perform the many tasks safely.

There are many questions you may want to have answered before you indulge deeper into choosing a rigger as a career path. Here are a few to help you decide.

What is involved in being a rigger?

Riggers require upper body strength for operating ropes on a pulley system to lift heavy objects. In the case of an object being to heavy to lift manually, a rigger is the person who operates a hoist or crane to perform this type of task.

Another rigger position may use a safety harness with shackles to be attached to scaffolding or a crane to perform maintenance.

How to become a rigger?

Approaching an employer would be one option as some tend to offer an on the job training, or an apprenticeship leading to a position.

Another way is to do some research online for courses to study, in regards to a specific qualification you may require prior to employment, or for added skills.