July 1, 2021

Material Equipment Handling

Figure 1: Illustration of general working conditions on vessel with the gear and equipment for rigging and materials handling. Cranes, hoisting apparatus, (such as chain falls, winches, and marine railways) and their accompanying rigging gear, are used to move and lift materials and equipment during shipyard operations. Moving heavy loads in congested areas increases risk of injury.

Rigging methods and equipment are used to attach heavy loads to lifting devices such as cranes, derricks, or chain falls. Rigging equipment may include: rope, chains, or synthetic webbing slings, which connect the loads to lifting machinery by means of hooks or shackles. Inadequate rigging methods or components may result in the load detaching and injuring workers.

Serious injuries may result from: