Sling and Rigging Training Programs

Rigger and Sling Training Classes

If you are truly interested in making a difference in the lives of those you are tasked with protecting, you must realize that effective training not only transfers information, but also delivers the course material in such a way that the combination of information and delivery facilitates student retention as well an ability to properly use the lessons learned.

Our regular training courses or customized training programs can be presented at your location. You may also register to attend regularly scheduled events at the Lift-It® Learning Center, a state of the art training facility in Pomona, CA.

Consider the many benefits of attending the complete five day, modular training program Sling and Rigging (16 Hour), Sling & Rigging Hardware Inspection I (Pre-Use - 8 hour) and Train-the-Trainer (16 hour).  You also have the option of hosting a private, corporate event at the Lift-It Learning Center.

Our list of corporate clients is virtually endless, and we have been told on more than one occasion that not only safety consciousness, but morale was dramatically increased as a result of our training. We had never considered ourselves to be motivational speakers or team builders and don’t charge extra for these invaluable spin off benefits!

One of our training clients who has requested multiple presentations over many years remarked,  “What I really like about your training, is that you don’t just teach about slings and rigging, you provide my people with a safety mentality for life. They are actually safer on the weekends, at home because of your message”.

Comprehensive safety training for your sling and rigging workers is not an option, but a regulatory requirement. Without proper training you're exposing your company and operations to an increased risk of accidents, compliance issues and unnecessary legal liability for the personnel and employer.

With over four decades of rigging training, Lift-It® Manufacturing has established itself as a leader in sling, crane and rigging safety education that combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical exercises, ensuring students are educated on both theoretical concepts and real-world applications. 

For over four decades, Lift-It® Sling and Rigging training has emphasized a focus on accident prevention through comprehensive education training that goes far beyond regulatory compliance to create lasting behavioral change in the minds of workers, keeping safe and complaint operating practices top of mind. 

When training is conducted at our state-of-the-art Lift-It® Learning Center in Pomona, California we include a plant tour, offering students increased knowledge of fabrication techniques. After manufacturing we perform destruction-testing demos of web and Roundslings, showing the qualification process. Sling manufacturers must adhere to OSHA 1910.184, OSHA 1926.251, ASME B30.9 and Web Sling and Tiedown Association (WSTDA) WSTDA-WS-1, WSTDA-RS-1 and WSTDA-RS-1HP standards. These applicable governing standards require a 5/1 design factor (sometimes referred to as a “safety factor”) for new products. “Sling police” do not exist, as a responsible manufacture of rigging products we must be able to demonstrate 5/1 design factors repeatedly.

Many of our courses are accredited by Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) as well as Nationally accredited courses taught by certified trainers for National Commission for the
Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Our Rigger training classes are designed to be more than just learning about safety standards. If you have specialized requirements, just let us know as we will tailor the training program to meet your specific needs.

As one long-term client noted, "What I really like about your training is that you don't just teach about slings and rigging, you provide my people with a safety mentality for life"

Foundational Sling and Rigging Programs

Sling & Rigging (16 Hours)

The foundation of Lift-It's curriculum is our Sling & Rigging course, which covers basic to intermediate load handling activities. Students learn benefits and limitations of different sling designs, proper use techniques, load weight calculations, methods to determine center of gravity, and other important load handling considerations. 

This training equips your workers with essential rigging skills, environmental considerations, sling protection and inspection techniques with an emphasis on pre-use inspections, including hands-on exercises that reinforce classroom learning and train Qualified Personnel.. Successful completion of written and practical exams results in LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) certification and riggers who understand both the how and why behind safe practices.

Sling & Rigging Hardware Inspection I (Pre-Use) - 8 Hours

Expanding on our foundation Sling & Rigging (16 hours) course is the Sling & Rigging Hardware Inspection series. Level I prepares students for frequent inspections of web, roundsling, synthetic rope, wire rope, and chain slings, plus rigging hardware including hooks, eye bolts, shackles, master links, swivel hoist rings, and turnbuckles. 

Your attendees receive a thorough understanding of ASME, DOL-OSHA, and WSTDA standards, as well as their application to the criteria for removing equipment from service.

Students are presented with a Lift-It certificate upon successfully completing written and practical exams.

Sling & Rigging Hardware Inspection II (Periodic) - 16 Hours

Level II advances to the more involved mandatory periodic inspections with emphasis on consideration for repair, proof testing, and certification and their regulatory requirements, ensuring that you have Qualified Personnel. We cover advanced sling and hardware assessment, as required by a Qualified Person per ASME, plus comparative advantages and limitations of varieties of rigging hardware and sling types, emphasizing how to mitigate damage from the perspective of cause-and-effect and proper rigging / protection recommendations to minimize excessive wear and/or damage.

Your riggers will build on their understanding of standards and criteria for preventing damage and confidently knowing when it is necessary to remove equipment from service, both from a standards and manufacturer's perspective. Instruction is focused on proper sling & hardware inspection methods and stages, together with how proper use and damage avoidance can prolong sling life and mitigate risk.

The course includes both written and practical exams with a certificate of achievement from Lift-It upon passing.

Train-the-Trainer Program (40 Hours)

The Train-the-Trainer Professional Development Program enables safety professionals to effectively develop lesson plans to train and communicate knowledge on any subject, not just rigging safety. This comprehensive program includes the prerequisite Sling and Rigging plus Hardware Inspection Level 1 training as part of the package.

We focus on teaching effective training methods, including adult learning principles, lesson plan development, and presentation methodologies, as well as behavior modification techniques. This is where you, as a trainer, learn HOW to train so your students achieve the goal of communicating proper safety practices and techniques in a way that will make a lasting impression on workers.

All students receive recordings and critiques of their presentations, plus a $1,700 Inspector Trainer Kit on completion along with a certificate issued by LEEA.

NCCCO Certification Preparation

Lift-It offers extensive classroom and hands on preparatory training for National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certifications. 

NCCCO Rigger Level 1 & Level 2 Certification Preparatory Training

Our Rigger Level I & II program (32 - 40 hours with practical) prepares students for both certification levels, covering symmetrical and asymmetrical load calculations, sling hitches, and load control techniques.

Attendees take part in classroom sessions and hands-on workshops covering slings, rigging hardware, sling angles, tension calculations, center of gravity for non-symmetrical loads, sling protection, knot tying, and signalperson responsibilities. They'll also learn load drifting and rotation methods.

Lift-It administered practice tests with detailed reviews prepare your team for third-party testing while building the knowledge needed for real-world Level I & II rigger duties. 

NCCCO administers written exams, which your workers can take at approved Computer Based Testing (CBT) centers within 12 months of training. Lift-It consultants conduct the proctored practical exams onsite after the training phase, ensuring your riggers earn legitimate certifications that demonstrate competency to your clients and reduce your operational risks.

Crane Operator Certification

Along with our NCCCO Rigger I & II program, we offer prep courses for Crane Operator certification which include in-depth programs for Mobile Crane Operators covering all terrain, truck, crawler, and carry deck types, Overhead Crane Operators for bridge, gantry, pedestal configurations, Articulating Boom Crane Operators, Digger Derrick Operators, and Signalpersons. 

Each 40-hour program (24 hours for Signalperson training) provides comprehensive preparation for both written and practical NCCCO examinations, leading to 5-year certification.

Specialized and Advanced Training

Beyond standard certifications, Lift-It offers several specialized programs that address specific industry needs and advanced operational requirements, including: 

Helicopter Cargo Rigging (8 Hours)

This aerial transport training covers the unique circumstances associated with rotorcraft rigging scenarios; flight characteristics that affect rigging, secure attachment points, multi-part loads, quick-release mechanisms and considerations for varying weather conditions and preferred materials.

Equipment & Vehicle Recovery Training (8 Hour)

Covering vehicle recovery techniques and methods together with equipment selection and setup, this training also focuses on safety considerations and procedures.

Additional Training Services

We also have additional training services available such as:

• Crane Inspector Training
• Lift Director & Lift Planning
• On-site inspection
• Basic Safety Awareness presentations

Training Delivery and Logistics

Lift-It provides flexible training delivery options, including on-site instruction at your locations worldwide and regularly scheduled events at our state-of-the-art Learning Center at 1603 West 2nd Street, Pomona, CA  91766. 

Where possible, we keep class sizes small for a more interactive learning experience that encourages student interaction. When training is performed at our facility, we offer plant tours with demonstrations of fabrication and destruction testing. This provides students with an awareness of equipment performance and failure modes that strongly reinforce the learning experience.

Our registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and snacks, course materials, and certification, but remember that courses require minimum enrollment numbers, so please check with us before making travel plans. 

If you're travelling by air, the best option is to fly into Ontario International Airport (ONT). For accommodation, we thoroughly recommend booking rooms at the nearby DoubleTree Pomona or Claremont hotels. 

Please note - that's Ontario, California, not Ontario, Canada!

Key Takeaways

Training is Mandatory: Remember that, according to the ASME B30 Standards, as incorporated by reference in OSHA 1910.184 & 1926.251 regulations, all workers handling loads are required to receive sling and rigger training.

Invest in Quality Training: Lift-It's LEEA-accredited programs offer excellent value compared to non-accredited and/or generic training. Proper training from a reputable source gives riggers confidence, resulting in better safety practices.

Match Training to Your Needs: Training should cover your operational needs, whether that's foundational rigging skills, NCCCO certifications, or tailored programs.

Train Your Trainers: To reduce long-term training costs while ensuring high-quality learning across your organization, consider sending some trusted staff to our Train-the-Trainer program.

Certification Demonstrates Competency: Certifications from the NCCCO and LEEA prove to your clients and insurers that your workers have the necessary skills and safety awareness to reduce risk.

Flexible Delivery Options: Our Learning Center offers a unique training experience, while on-site training minimizes your downtime and travel costs.

Contact Lift-It at 909.469.2251 or info@lift-it.com now to discuss how our proven training programs can address your specific safety challenges.

We personally guarantee that our training will be the best you have ever experienced.

Training FAQ's

How many course hours do your classes run?

A: Our classes consist of 1–4 hour awareness presentations with our most popular course being the Sling & Rigging 2 day - 16 hour course.  

Do you offer courses offsite, away from the Lift-It training facility?

A: Yes, the majority of our courses are taught “onsite” at the customers locations around the world.

Are the courses accredited?

A: Yes, all of the Lift-It curriculum as well as the NCCCO course are accredited.

Do your courses cover angular stress also referred to as sling tension?

A: Yes. This is a very important factor that must be taken into account when rigging any load. In some cases a 30-degree horizontal sling angle results in 200% increased tension, meaning your sling need to be twice the capacity or rating. Not knowing these factors can result in injury or worse, death.

Do your courses discuss how to control a load?

A: Yes. Load control is imperative, identifying the correct style of sling to use can have a dramatic affect on load control. For instance, wire rope or chain on a metal pole will be very difficult to ensure that proper sling and load engagement is achieved. Another example would be webbing or roundslings on an I beam, they may provide enough coefficient of friction to control the load although any movement could result in cutting and consequent sling failure; sling protection must be a consideration and part of the lifting plan.

Do your courses discuss share of load?

A: Yes. If the center of gravity is not equidistant from the pick points, the load will be unbalanced and change leg loading ratings. Rigging to the center of gravity is imperative for proper ratings and load control.

Do I need training to rig loads?

A: OSHA 1910.184, ASME B30.9 and WSTDA require the individual performing any/all rigging functions to be trained, this is not optional. 

Is the employer responsible for providing the training?

A: Yes, in all cases you cannot perform rigging functions without being trained per OSHA 1910.184

Do you limit class size?

A: For some courses such as the NCCCO course we must limit to 12 people. For Lift-It curriculum we like groups of 20-30 although can accommodate more. Remember, as the class size grows the participant’s involvement decreases.

What type of rigging is discussed in the courses?

A: Web, round, chain, wire and rope slings.

Do you discuss any type of rigging hardware?

A: Yes, our rigging hardware topics include; shackles, hooks, master links, turnbuckles and hoist rings.