Rigger

Offshore Rigger

The Offshore Rigger is responsible for safely performing rigging, lifting, material-handling, and load-control activities associated with offshore construction, maintenance, fabrication, and equipment installation projects.

The Rigger works closely with crane operators, fitters, welders, construction personnel, foremen, and supervisors to safely move, position, install, and remove equipment and materials. This position requires a strong understanding of rigging practices, hand signals, load control, lifting equipment, and offshore safety procedures.

The Offshore Rigger must be able to properly select, inspect, and use rigging equipment and recognize hazards associated with lifting operations in an offshore environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Rigging & Lifting Operations

• Perform rigging activities associated with offshore construction, maintenance, equipment installation, and material handling.
• Rig loads for lifting and movement by cranes, hoists, chain falls, come-alongs, and other lifting equipment.
• Properly select slings, shackles, hooks, spreader bars, chain falls, and other rigging equipment based on the load and lifting requirements.
• Attach and detach loads from crane hooks and lifting devices.
• Assist with positioning, setting, and aligning equipment, structural components, piping, and other materials.
• Use tag lines and other appropriate methods to safely control suspended loads.
• Signal crane operators using approved hand signals and/or radio communication.
• Maintain clear communication with crane operators and other personnel involved in lifting operations.
• Assist with lifts involving structural steel, piping, equipment, skids, vessels, materials, and construction components.
• Participate in equipment installation and removal activities.
• Assist fitters and welders with positioning and securing materials for fabrication and installation.
• Perform manual material-handling activities as required.
• Assist with loading and unloading supply vessels, baskets, containers, and construction materials when assigned.
• Secure materials and equipment to prevent movement during transportation or offshore operations.
• Install and operate chain falls, come-alongs, beam clamps, and other lifting devices as required.
• Understand basic load weight, center of gravity, load control, and sling-angle considerations.
• Follow established lift plans and supervisor instructions.

Rigging Equipment Inspection

• Inspect rigging equipment before each use.
• Identify damaged, worn, defective, or improperly marked rigging equipment.
• Immediately remove defective rigging equipment from service in accordance with company procedures.
• Verify slings, shackles, hooks, and other equipment have appropriate identification and are suitable for the intended lift.
• Maintain rigging equipment in a clean and organized condition.
• Properly store rigging equipment when not in use.
• Report damaged or missing equipment to supervision.
• Assist with maintaining rigging inspection records when required.

Construction Support

• Structural steel installation and removal
• Platform modifications
• Piping installation and removal
• Equipment setting and alignment
• Deck extensions
• Equipment and pipe supports
• Handrails, stairs, ladders, and grating
• Skid and equipment installation
• Demolition activities
• Fabrication and welding operations
• Material staging
• Crane operations
• Maintenance and repair projects

The Rigger may also assist other crafts with general construction activities when rigging operations are not being performed.

Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all company, customer, regulatory, and offshore facility safety requirements.
• Participate in Job Safety Analyses (JSAs/JHAs), toolbox meetings, lift planning, and pre-job safety meetings.
• Understand the hazards associated with each lift before beginning work.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority whenever unsafe conditions or behaviors are observed.
• Never position themselves or allow others beneath a suspended load.
• Maintain awareness of pinch points, crush hazards, swing radius, load movement, and line-of-fire hazards.
• Establish and maintain appropriate barricades or restricted lifting areas when required.
• Verify personnel remain clear of suspended loads and lifting operations.
• Follow proper body positioning and line-of-fire practices.
• Use appropriate PPE at all times.
• Properly use fall-protection equipment when working at heights.
• Follow permit-to-work, energy-isolation, confined-space, and hot-work requirements when applicable.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, incidents, injuries, and near misses.
• Maintain good housekeeping in work and rigging areas.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous experience in offshore rigging, construction rigging, industrial rigging, marine construction, or oil and gas operations preferred.
• Offshore construction experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of basic rigging practices, equipment, and terminology.
• Ability to properly select and use slings, shackles, hooks, chain falls, come-alongs, and related rigging equipment.
• Ability to recognize damaged or defective rigging equipment.
• Knowledge of standard crane hand signals.
• Basic understanding of load weights, center of gravity, sling angles, and load control.
• Ability to understand and follow lift plans and supervisor instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with crane operators and construction personnel.
• Must demonstrate strong safety awareness and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an offshore construction crew.

Certifications / Training

• TWIC Card
• SafeGulf and/or SafeLand
• Water Survival / HUET
• Offshore Orientation
• Qualified Rigger / Basic Rigging Certification
• Signal Person Certification or Training
• Fall Protection
• H2S Training
• Confined Space
• First Aid / CPR
• Customer-specific offshore safety training
• Additional rigging qualifications based on project requirements

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tools, rigging equipment, and construction materials.
• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Climbing stairs, ladders, scaffolding, and platform structures.
• Bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and working in restricted areas.
• Working at elevated heights while properly utilizing fall-protection equipment.
• Handling slings, shackles, chain falls, tag lines, and other rigging equipment.
• Working around cranes, suspended loads, machinery, welding operations, and active construction activities.
• Wearing required PPE for extended periods.
• Working outdoors in heat, humidity, wind, rain, and changing offshore weather conditions.

Work Schedule & Environment

This position is primarily performed aboard offshore platforms, production facilities, and other offshore construction locations.

The Offshore Rigger may be required to:

• Work rotational offshore schedules.
• Work extended shifts, commonly 12-hour shifts depending on the project.
• Work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Remain offshore for extended periods.
• Travel offshore by helicopter, crew boat, or other marine transportation.
• Work in changing weather and environmental conditions.
• Travel to different offshore facilities based on project requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Offshore rigging knowledge
• Crane hand signals
• Rigging equipment selection
• Rigging equipment inspection
• Load control
• Basic load-weight awareness
• Sling-angle awareness
• Material handling
• Chain fall and come-along operation
• Lift-plan awareness
• Hazard recognition
• Line-of-fire