Rigging, Crane & Hoisting Training

If you sling loads, give signals to a crane operator, or run a crane or hoist, provincial rules set out what you need to know.

• Alberta: a lifting device may only be run by a competent worker the employer has authorized. The operator must be able to show they know load charts and the code of hoisting signals. Hand signals must come from a competent signaller the employer designates.
• British Columbia: rigging and slinging must be done by qualified workers, or under their direct supervision. Slings and attachments are checked visually before use on each shift.
• Ontario construction projects (O. Reg. 213/91): a signaller must be a competent worker who gets oral training and written instructions, and does no other work while signalling.

Rigging (Basic) covers pre-lift hazard assessments, safe working load limits, rope and sling inspections, hitches, sling capacity charts, D/d ratios, centre of gravity, and crane and hoist signals. Rigging and Slinging (Advanced) adds wire rope construction, hoist line installation and rigging hardware. You need 80% to pass either course, and you can retry if you fall short.

• New to slinging loads: Rigging (Basic), about 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Lead hand or experienced rigger: Rigging (Intermediate), about 3 to 3.5 hours, or Rigging and Slinging (Advanced), about 4 to 4.5 hours.
• Signaller for mobile or tower cranes: Crane Hand Signaling, about 60 minutes. Covers hand and voice signals.
• Bridge or gantry crane operator: Overhead Crane Safety, about 2 hours, on crane types and parts, pre-work inspections and safe lifts, with a competency document for your employer. To cover rigging in the same course, take Overhead Crane and Rigging Safety, about 4 hours.
• Mobile crane or boom truck operator, rigger or supervisor: Crane Load Chart Reading and Calculations, about 4 hours.

• These courses teach theory. Alberta defines competent as trained and also experienced, so expect your employer to check your skills on the job.
• A rigging course does not qualify you to run a mobile crane. BC requires a certificate for mobile cranes, tower cranes and boom trucks, and Ontario requires a certificate of qualification for larger mobile cranes and tower cranes.