COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Accident Prevention Strategies in Rigging & Hoisting Activities course. This training will provide you with the knowledge and practical techniques required to prevent accidents and injuries during rigging and hoisting operations.
In the high-risk environment of lifting activities, incidents can result in severe consequences including fatalities, equipment damage, and operational delays. Preventing these outcomes requires a proactive safety mindset, detailed planning, and disciplined execution.
The course begins by reinforcing the importance of accident prevention in rigging and hoisting tasks. Participants will examine the most common types of accidents—such as dropped loads, equipment failures, and crush injuries—and consider the legal and ethical duties of all workers and PCBUs to prevent harm through vigilance, planning, and safe systems of work.
Understanding risk factors is essential for preventing incidents. This section explores how site-specific hazards, environmental conditions, and human factors—such as fatigue, poor communication, or complacency—can combine to create unsafe conditions. Equipment-related risks, such as unstable loads or incorrect rigging setups, will also be examined.
Every safe lift begins with proper planning. This section teaches participants how to conduct pre-lift planning, classify lift types (routine, complex, or critical), and develop risk assessments that cover all foreseeable hazards. Comprehensive planning allows for early identification of controls and avoids last-minute improvisation.
A legally compliant lift requires documentation. This section provides guidance on preparing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for high-risk rigging work, including task breakdowns, hazard identification, and control measures. The importance of briefing the crew and gaining consultation and sign-off is emphasised.
Pre-lift inspections are a frontline defence against accidents. This section details how to verify site conditions, check for access and weather suitability, and inspect cranes, rigging gear, and lifting accessories prior to every lift. Participants will learn how to complete and sign pre-lift checklists to confirm readiness.
Rigging gear selection and inspection are critical to safe outcomes. Participants will be guided through selecting appropriate slings, shackles, spreaders, and hooks based on load characteristics, and how to identify damage, wear, or missing tags during inspections. Procedures for quarantining unsafe gear are also covered.
Load stability is essential to prevent dynamic movement and dropped loads. This section explains how to assess load shape, centre of gravity, and appropriate lift points. Participants will learn to use tag lines, control swing and rotation, and maintain load balance throughout the lift.
Exclusion zones protect people from uncontrolled movement. This section shows how to calculate safe fall zones, establish barriers and signage, and assign spotters to monitor boundaries. Clear visual control of the lift area prevents unauthorised entry and improves safety for all workers.
Correct lifting techniques are key to safe load handling. This section outlines how to avoid shock loading, maintain vertical lift paths, and coordinate movement with doggers and crane operators to ensure gradual tensioning and stable positioning of the load.
Preventing crane and equipment failure is a shared responsibility. This section focuses on correct crane selection based on load charts, radius, and capacity, and monitoring for overloading, instability, or signs of mechanical malfunction. Participants will also review the importance of maintenance, servicing, and logbook verification.
Communication must be clear and consistent during all hoisting activities. Participants will learn to use standardised hand signals, maintain disciplined verbal communication, and implement emergency stop protocols. Two-way radios and escalation chains will be discussed for complex lifts.
Environmental conditions can dramatically affect rigging safety. This section explores how to manage lifting during high winds, rain, or lightning, and how to modify rigging approaches when working in low visibility or extreme temperatures. Strategies for securing gear during inclement weather are also included.
Manual handling injuries are common but preventable. Participants will learn safe lifting techniques for chains, slings, and gear; how to use mechanical aids; and how to work in teams to minimise strain and awkward postures during rigging equipment setup and relocation.
Emergency preparedness ensures teams can respond effectively when things go wrong. This section focuses on developing emergency response plans, locating and using first aid kits and rescue equipment, and conducting site drills to prepare for entrapment, dropped loads, or mechanical failures.
Active supervision ensures safety systems are followed. This section explains how to monitor safe work behaviour, intervene early when hazards are observed, and support new workers through mentoring and coaching. Supervisors will be reminded of their duty to set the tone for safety on site.
Finally, learning from incidents is essential to preventing recurrence. Participants will be trained in reporting and investigating near misses, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions. Accurate documentation and transparent communication help to close safety gaps and drive continuous improvement.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the awareness, procedures, and practical strategies required to prevent accidents in rigging and hoisting work—ensuring safe operations, regulatory compliance, and a strong culture of safety leadership on every lift.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Accident Prevention in Rigging and Hoisting
- Importance of proactive safety in high-risk lifting activities
- Common types of accidents: dropped loads, equipment failure, crush injuries
- Legal and ethical responsibilities under WHS legislation
2. Understanding Risk Factors in Rigging and Hoisting Work
- Site-specific hazards and environmental risks
- Human factors: fatigue, miscommunication, complacency
- Equipment and load-related variables that increase risk
3. Planning Safe Rigging and Hoisting Operations
- Importance of lift planning and risk assessments
- Determining lift categories: routine, complex, or critical
- Ensuring pre-job planning includes all hazard controls
4. Developing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- Legal requirement for high-risk rigging work
- Including task steps, hazards, and risk controls in SWMS
- Consulting and briefing the crew on SWMS content
5. Conducting Pre-Lift Safety Inspections
- Verifying ground conditions, access, and weather suitability
- Checking rigging gear, cranes, and lifting accessories
- Confirming pre-lift checklists are completed and signed
6. Selecting and Inspecting Rigging Equipment
- Choosing the right slings, shackles, spreaders, and hooks
- Pre-use inspection criteria: damage, wear, corrosion, rating tags
- Managing defective or uncertified equipment appropriately
7. Ensuring Load Stability and Centre of Gravity Control
- Identifying load shape, balance, and lift points
- Using tag lines and appropriate rigging configurations
- Preventing rotation, swing, and shifting during the lift
8. Establishing Exclusion Zones and Spotter Control
- Calculating safe working distances and fall zones
- Controlling unauthorised access with barriers and signage
- Assigning spotters to maintain area security and visibility
9. Using Correct Lifting Techniques and Load Handling Practices
- Avoiding side-loading, shock loading, and sudden movements
- Maintaining vertical lift paths and gradual tensioning
- Coordinating movement with doggers and operators in sync
10. Preventing Crane and Equipment Failures
- Ensuring correct crane selection based on load charts and radius
- Monitoring for overloading, instability, or mechanical issues
- Conducting regular servicing and logbook checks
11. Communication Protocols During Hoisting Activities
- Using standard hand signals and verbal commands
- Managing communication via two-way radios or headsets
- Implementing emergency stop signals and escalation protocols
12. Managing Environmental and Weather Hazards
- Suspending work during high winds, rain, or lightning
- Adjusting rigging setups based on surface conditions
- Securing equipment and loads during poor visibility or temperature extremes
13. Preventing Manual Handling and Ergonomic Incidents
- Using lifting aids or team lifts for rigging gear setup
- Avoiding awkward postures and excessive force
- Training in safe handling of chains, slings, and hardware
14. Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response
- Planning for dropped loads, rigging failure, or entrapment
- Ensuring first aid kits, rescue gear, and emergency contacts are accessible
- Conducting drills and reviewing emergency procedures
15. Supervision and Safe Behaviour Enforcement
- Monitoring work practices and correcting unsafe behaviour
- Providing mentoring and support for apprentices or new workers
- Leading by example and encouraging hazard reporting
16. Incident Reporting, Investigation, and Prevention Measures
- Documenting near misses, hazards, and incidents accurately
- Analysing root causes and systemic failures
- Applying corrective actions to prevent recurrence
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.