Occupational Safety & Health Administration	Process: Rigging
U.S. Department of Labor

INTRODUCTION

This guidesheet is designed to highlight safety and health hazards associated with rigging work in shipyard employment. Information collected was obtained primarily from shipyard personnel and reflects actual shipyard experiences. Employers and workers are encouraged to communicate and share experiences to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all workers.

This document does not address ergonomic exposures. Extensive research on ergonomic exposures and possible solutions in shipyard employment can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/index.html.

This document does also not address exposures that occur during construction work, including construction work performed in shipyards or other maritime jobsites. For construction activity requirements, please see 29 CFR 1926.

Additional information is available from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) at:
NIOSH: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics
NSRP: http://www.nsrp.org

OSHA: 29 CFR 1915, Subpart G – Gear and Equipment for Rigging and Materials Handling.
OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/slings/nat-synth-fiber.html
ASME B30.9-Operating Practices for Slings.
ASME B30.26-Inspection Frequency of Rigging Hardware.