Posts

Civil Rigging: Determining Weight: The Key to a Safe and Successful Lift

Determining Weight: The Key to a Safe and Successful Lift | Civil Rigging

,

Determining Weight for Civil Rigging

Civil Rigging: Determining Weight: The Key to a Safe and Successful Lift

One of the rigger’s most important tasks is determining weight for civil rigging, specifically the weight of the load. This is the first critical step in planning a successful and safe lift.

Do you know the three basic ways that riggers determine weight?

According to Ralf Notheis, Manager of Bigfoot Crane Academy, only the third way requires math skills. “Sometimes the weight of loads is already supplied to the rigger,” says Notheis, “either marked on the load itself or in the paperwork, such as blueprints, spec sheets, or manuals.”

However, every rigger must have the skill to measure a load by simple math, whether in cubic feet (Ft3), square feet (Ft2), or linear feet (Lf).

Of course, different materials, such as concrete, steel, or wood, are weighted differently and must be calculated accordingly.

Calculating the weight of unique objects such as concrete pipes provides a unique challenge, which emphasizes that the well trained rigger must be fluent in the necessary equations.

As with all civil rigging training, the emphasis is on being practical and staying safe. Everything a rigger needs to learn about determining weight is provided in a way that makes sense on the job. The trainers help to create a good environment for learning so that the rigger can grow in confidence and be ready for the challenges of their work.

To learn more about how determining weight for civil rigging, so that you can confidently lift them, enroll in our Civil Rigging Course by clicking the button below.

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by
Civil Rigging: Hand Signals - Communication on Job Sites

Hand Signals: Clear Communication on Job Sites | Civil Rigging

,

Hand Signals - Communication on Job Sites Civil Rigging

Crane Hand Signals

Clear Communication on Job Sites – Civil Rigging

Why are crane hand signals for clear communication on job sites so important for Civil Rigging?

Knowing the correct crane hand signals and how to properly communicate them can mean the difference between safety and injury on the job.

According to Ralf Notheis, Manager of Bigfoot Crane Academy, “Miscommunication is dangerous and has been the root cause of countless accidents on jobsites. But with proper training, many of these costly and dangerous mistakes can be avoided.”

Anyone who has been on a busy and noisy worksite knows the essential importance of hand signals. For the safety of everyone on site, riggers need to be able to communicate clearly with the equipment operators in a way that ensures understanding. Both parties need to be proficient in a common language and they need to give each other their careful attention as they go about their work. Effective communication between riggers and operators using recognized signals is crucial.

Notheis emphasizes that clarity is critical, which means that an operator must never move equipment based on an unclear signal.

“There are some very practical ways to help ensure clear communication through hand signals,” says Notheis, “such as wearing tight-fitting gloves and positioning hands so they are more visible to the operator.”

No matter what kind of heavy machinery you’re working with, learning how to effectively use correct hand signals is essential.

To learn more about how to communicate clearly on a job site, check out our Civil Rigging Course by clicking the link below.

 

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by
Two men helping lower shoring with an excavator into a hole.

Terminology & Speaking the Same Language | Civil Rigging

,

Civil Rigging Terminology

Why is it so important to understand terminology for Civil Rigging?

Because every piece of equipment serves a special purpose and contributes to a safer and more efficient work environment.

Ralf Notheis, Manager of Bigfoot Crane Academy explains, “When a qualified rigger asks for a shouldered eye bolt and another worker hands them a shoulder-less eye bolt, they can tell the difference and insist on the right hardware to complete the lift safely.”

In civil rigging, there are many different types of hooks, clutches, slings, and shackles that are commonly used on job sites. Do you know the difference between a grab hook with a cradle and a regular grab hook?

In addition to hardware, there are several types of underhook attachments, each related to very specific tasks. Are you familiar with the safety factor your underhook attachments must have?

To maintain the safe usage of underhook attachments, each piece of equipment must display at least five items of technical information related to their identity and performance. Do you know what those five items are?

Beyond hardware and underhook attachments, slings are the third main area that require a good understanding of terminology. There are four common types of slings, which again, all have their own unique functions. Whether they’re made of chain, wire rope, or synthetic material, each of these sling types can be depended upon to do the job that they were designed to do when used correctly.

“That’s one of the primary goals of this course,” says Notheis, “to train riggers to a level where they know the terminology and they properly understand their equipment.”

To learn the language of civil rigging terminology, so that you and your crews can go home safely every night, enroll in our Civil Rigging Course by clicking the button below.

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by
Civil Rigging: An Introduction to Safety and Certification Close up of crane hook

An Introduction to Safety and Certification | Civil Rigging

,

An Introduction to Civil Rigging

Why is the Bigfoot Crane Academy offering an Introduction to Civil Rigging Course? Just ask Ralf Notheis, Manager of the Academy.

“There is a huge need for this,” says Notheis, who speaks with passion. “There are way too many workers out there who are inadequately trained to do what they’re doing. They’re taking unnecessary risks with their lives every day.”

When talking to this professional, it doesn’t take long to figure out that he is very dedicated to one thing: safety.

Bigfoot’s Civil Rigging Course offers essential safety training for any construction worker or civil worker whose job involves lifting loads.

Notheis is thrilled that more and more riggers are becoming qualified through Bigfoot’s training, but he also knows that very soon qualification will not be enough. According to Notheis and other industry authorities, the time is quickly coming that every rigger will need to be certified.

“When that requirement comes,” Notheis projects, “we’re not talking about hundreds of people that will need training, but thousands, maybe even tens of thousands.”

This course gives owners and managers an opportunity to become industry leaders, it gives safety officers an opportunity to create the best work environment possible, and it gives workers the opportunity to do their job confidently and go home safe every night.

To stay ahead of the curve on safety and certification, learn more about our Civil Rigging Course by clicking the button below.

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by
Safety Officer wearing a safety vest and writing on a clip board.

Our Course is Tested, Tried, and True

,

Bigfoot Academy Courses are Tried, Tested, and True.

bigfoot academy courses instructor writing on clipboard

 

During the past two years, Bigfoot Academy Courses’ have been tried, tested, and found true in major cities in Canada with specialized rigging training for all of their civil workers. In the process of training hundreds of workers, Bigfoot has garnered valuable feedback from participants and improved critical aspects of the course.

Today, the course is being offered as a one-day (eight-hour) training experience, which is always a mixture of classroom learning and onsite coaching. Bigfoot’s Academy is providing some of the best training experiences in the industry.

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by
Basics of Civil Rigging

The Basics of Civil Rigging

,

The goal of Bigfoot’s Civil Rigging Course is to educate the untrained worker. The course focuses on the proper use of equipment, on lifting practices, and on the potential hazards of the work environment. Eighty percent of rigging failures are…

Read more
/by
Civil Rigging - Our training is practical

Bigfoot’s Training is Practical

,

Our training is well known for being practical, helpful and engaging. Our instructors have years of on-the-job experience and they combine their knowledge with a passion for teaching, which comes out clearly in the format of the training.

“We teach theory and practical,” says Ralf Notheis, Manager of Bigfoot’s Academy, “so that means we spend some time in the classroom, then we get out on the job, in the rain and in the mud with our gloves on, to make sure it works in real life. We don’t just tell people what they need to know, we show them why they need to know it.”

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by
A row of construction managers stand looking off towards their construction site at mid-day.

Civil Rigging Training Benefits Managers and Owners

,

A row of construction managers stand looking off towards their construction site at mid-day.

Civil workers are not the only ones who benefit from better training in civil rigging.

Effective training not only prevents accidents and ensures safety for workers, but it also relieves the legal and corporate pressures of negligence on the part of managers and owners.

Whether it’s safety risks, damage risks, legal liabilities, or loss of work, the cost of accidents is enormous.

Untrained and unqualified managers can be a major liability to construction companies and city work crews.

Bigfoot’s Civil Rigging Course is for supervisors and foremen as well as workers. Everyone needs to understand the value of this training.

 

Sign Up Now

 

/by

10 Best Practices for Working at Height in Winter

, ,

Top Takeaway: Working at height in the winter can be dangerous, but you can reduce the risks by planning ahead, dressing appropriately, and monitoring yourself and others for signs of cold stress. Winter is the most challenging season for any outdoor job-site, but…

Read more
/by
Working at Height Summer

5 Rules for Working at Height in Summer

, , , , ,

Top Takeaway: Heat stress and the risk of falling are both serious hazards when working at height in the summer. Combined they can be deadly, so stay cool and plan ahead to keep everyone safe this season.

 

Summer is synonymous with construction. Its consistent weather and sunny days make working outside significantly easier and safer than harsher seasons. The heat, however, is not always your friend.

 

Heat stress is a major problem on jobsites throughout the warmer months and can complicate already hazardous jobs, such as working at height. Here are five rules that must be followed if your site involves working at height this summer.

 

1. Watch the weather.

Summer weather is typically reliable. It’s hot, maybe humid, and has significantly less precipitation to worry about. While this reduces the risk of slipping, summer brings its own hazards, like heat stress and lightning storms. Keep an eye on the weather and make sure your site is prepared for anything the season can throw at you.

 

2. Cover up.

Heat stress occurs when your body warms up faster than it can cool down. Although it feels nice to lose the layers, exposing your skin to the sunlight increases the rate at which your body heats up. Instead of going sleeveless, wear light, loose clothing with long sleeves and legs, UV-blocking sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the worst of the sun’s rays.

 

3. Stay hydrated.

Staying hydrated is the most important factor in preventing heat-related illness. Keep a water bottle close at hand throughout the day, refilling it every time you empty it. Drinking water will cool you down and keep you alert, and refilling your bottle will give you regular opportunities to step out of the sun.

 

4. Use appropriate fall protection and prevention.

Drier weather reduces the likelihood of slipping, but it’s still crucial to utilize the appropriate fall prevention and protection equipment for the height you’re at (WorkSafeBC has a simple guide here). Take time to lay out a fall prevention and rescue plan, making sure everyone on site is familiar with it. When you’re not wearing your PPE, store it in a cool, dry place to prevent any damage from the sun or heat.

 

5. Don’t wait to get help.

Getting dizzy or passing out while still at height could put yourself and others in extreme danger as they try to rescue you. Heatstroke can progress quickly, so if you start to feel symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, or you’ve stopped sweating, get back to the ground as quickly and safely as possible to get treatment.

 

Worried about how heat stress will affect your jobsite? Learn more about what it is and how to prevent it in our Summer Jobsite Safety article.

/by

Portfolio Items