B-4 Use Rigging, Hoisting, Lifting and Positioning Equipment
Rigging, hoisting, lifting, and positioning are important skills in the plumbing and pipe trades, where workers often need to move heavy materials, tools, and equipment safely on construction sites. Understanding how loads behave, selecting the correct lifting equipment, and communicating clearly during lifting operations are critical for preventing injuries and damage. In this section, you will learn the basic principles of lifting and hoisting, become familiar with common hoisting, lifting, and rigging equipment, and understand the communication practices used during lifting operations. You will also learn how to select appropriate slings, tie common knots, bends, and hitches, and safely use rigging equipment when lifting and positioning loads, including when working with cranes.
Learning Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to:
- Describe the principles of lifting and hoisting.
- Describe hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment.
- Describe lifting and hoisting communication.
- Select slings and tie knots, bends, and hitches.
- Using hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment.
- Using rigging loads for cranes.
You will be required to reference publications and videos available online at WorkSafeBC.
Supplementary Video Series: Trades Access Common Core — Tools and Equipment
To support your learning in this section, you may find the following video series helpful. These short instructional videos were developed by Camosun College and shared through BCcampus as part of the Trades Access Common Core learning resources.
1. Knots and Hitches – BCcampus
2. Truckers Hitch – BCcampus
3. How to Whip the End of a Rope – BCcampus
Terminology
The following terms will be used throughout this section. A complete list of terms for this section can be found in the Glossary.
- boom truck: Frequently used on construction sites to lift and position pipe, equipment, and materials at height. Plumbers often work directly with boom truck operators during installations. (Section B-4.2)
- boom radius: Also referred to as the operating radius, this is the horizontal distance from the centre of rotation to the hook and is a function of boom angle and length. This concept is crucial to understanding safe crane capacity. (Section B-4.6)
- centre of gravity: The point in an object where its weight is balanced. (Section B-4.1)
- chain hoist (chain fall): Commonly used in mechanical rooms, shops, and construction sites to lift and position heavy pipe, pumps, or mechanical equipment. (Section B-4.2)
- come-along (puller): A very common hand tool used by plumbers to pull pipe into alignment, tension materials, or position equipment before fastening or welding. (Section B-4.2)
- dog everything: A safety instruction used in lifting and hoisting operations that means to secure or lock all controls and equipment so that no movement can occur. It ensures the load and machinery remain safely in place before workers approach or handle the load. (Section B-4.3)
- drop stops: Safety devices installed on lifting equipment, such as trolleys or hoists, that prevent the load or trolley from accidentally falling or running off the end of a beam or track. (Section B-4.2)
- effort (input force): The force a person applies to move or lift an object. (Section B-4.1)
- lift plan: A written or discussed plan that explains how a load will be safely lifted and moved. It includes details such as the weight of the load, the equipment being used, the lifting path, possible hazards, and how workers will communicate during the lift. (Section B-4.1)
- lifting point: The place on a load where the lifting equipment is attached. (Section B-4.1)
- load integrity: The condition in which a lifted load remains secure, stable, and properly contained so that individual items do not shift, separate, or fall during lifting, moving, or positioning operations. (Section B-4.1)
- mechanical advantage (MA): How much a machine increases the force you put into it to make work easier. (Section B-4.1)
- outrigger: A support member that projects beyond the natural outline of a crane to provide additional support and to prevent toppling. (Section B-4.6)
- pallet jack (manual forklift): Widely used in warehouses, shops, and job sites to move skids of pipe, fittings, and equipment. (Section B-4.2)
- peening: Damage that occurs when wire rope repeatedly strikes or rubs against a hard surface, causing the wires or strands to flatten, distort, and become brittle over time. (Section B-4.5)
- pick and carry: A lifting operation in which a crane or lifting machine raises a load and then moves it horizontally to another location while the load remains suspended, usually carried low to the ground for safety. (Section B-4.1)
- pulley: A wheel with a rope or cable that helps lift or move heavy loads. (Section B-4.1)
- resistance (load force): The force that must be overcome to move or lift a load. (Section B-4.1)
- rigging: The equipment and methods used to attach and lift loads safely with cranes or hoists. (Section B-4.1)
- safety factor: A margin of safety used to ensure equipment can handle more than the expected load. (Section B-4.1)
- signal person: A trained worker who gives hand signals or radio instructions to a crane operator during lifting operations. (Section B-4.1)
- sling: A strong strap, rope, or chain used to lift heavy objects. (Section B-4.1)
- snatch block: Important for rigging setups because it allows workers to change the direction of a pull or increase pulling power when moving heavy materials. (Section B-4.2)
- snub line: A rope or line attached to a load to help control its movement and prevent it from swinging while it is being lifted or moved by a crane. (Section B-4.1)
- tag line: A rope attached to a suspended load that workers hold to guide and steady the load, helping control its direction and rotation during lifting or positioning. (Section B-4.1)
- thimble: A metal fitting placed inside the eye (loop) of a wire rope or fibre rope to protect it from wear and crushing. The thimble helps the rope keep its shape and prevents damage when the rope is attached to hooks, shackles, or other rigging hardware. (Section B-4.4)
- unstable load: A load that shifts, tilts, or moves unexpectedly when lifted. (Section B-4.1)
- whipping: A method of tightly wrapping twine or wire around the end of a rope to prevent it from fraying or unraveling. (Section B-4.4)
- working load limit (WLL): The maximum weight a piece of lifting equipment can safely carry. (Section B-4.1)
