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.