Find Out More – Rigger

Course: Rigger

Trade Title: Rigger

OFO No: 651501 

Accreditation Body: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

What is a Rigger?

A Rigger is a person who specializes in the lifting and moving of extremely large or heavy objects, often with the assistance of a crane or derrick or chain hoists (chain fall).

Riggers attach loads of equipment to cranes or structures using shackles, cables and chains, clamps or straps, employing pulleys, winches, lifts or chain hoists (chain motors). Quick load calculations are necessary for each load and engineering principles are always in play. 

Riggers use various suspension techniques to get their load around obstacles on a construction site or loading dock or event site to the desired location and height.

Riggers can specialise in different areas, namely:

  • Oil Riggers
  • Marine Riggers
  • Heavy Construction Riggers
  • Rigger Ropesman
  • Theatrical Rigger
  • Tower Rigger

What does a Rigger do?

  • Maintaining drilling rig engines and motors, including the fluid system
  • Managing hydraulic and mechanical systems for the whole drilling assembly
  • Ensuring proper fluid and fuel balance and making sure pressure is always maintained at a safe level
  • Controlling and monitoring the safe movement of heavy equipment
  • Mobilizing the rig by setting it up
  • Tearing the rig down when the job is finished
  • Making sure all safety regulations are followed
  • works according to government regulations

Personal Qualities Required:

  • Interested in rigging
  • Physically fit and agile
  • Observant
  • Responsible
  • A Person with an eye for detail
  • Good with your hands
  • A Person with excellent judgement
  • Safety conscious
  • Self-motivated

How to become a Rigger?

Entry Requirements:

  • 16 years of age and 
  • Grade 10 (Standard 8) or
  • Grade 11 (Standard 9) or Matric (Standard 10) with Maths and Science would be preferred and you will need to obtain an N2 qualification.  If you have passed grade 12 with a science and maths pass rate of more than 40%, you will only need to write and pass 2 of the 4 subjects (Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification.  If you have not passed the grade 12 science and maths exam, then you would need to enrol for all 4 subjects (Maths, Engineering Science, Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification.

Training Requirements:

  • You will need to obtain institutional learning at a training institution like Artisan Training Institute, in order for all your modules to be performed in the presence of and signed off by a registered Training Officer as competent. All modules passed will be signed off in your Logbook by the Training Officer.
  • Your Phase I would typically last around 12 weeks, after which you would need to obtain experiential (on-the-job) training for a period of 9 months, working under supervision of a registered Artisan at an accredited workplace. The Artisan will sign off all the relevant workplace modules performed on the job. 
  • Your Phase II will commence thereafter for a period of 12 weeks.  Once again you would need to continue your on-the-job training as mentioned above for another period of 9 months.
  • Once all the relevant modules in both your Off-the-Job Logbook (training institute) and On-the-Job Logbook have been successfully completed and signed off, you will be able to apply to write the Trade Test. 
  • Upon the successful demonstration to the QCTO that all the requirements for writing the Trade Test have been met, will your Trade Test date be issued.
  • Your Phase III will prepare you for the Trade Test and will last for up to 8 weeks. 

Rigger Phase 1

 

This course consists of Phase 1. It counts towards a credited Rigger Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only.

The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.

Rigger Phase 2

 

This course consists of Phase 2. It counts towards a credited Rigger Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only.

The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.