Understanding Terminology: What is a Rigger, Oiler, Signal Person?
Many jobs or roles in the crane, rigging, and specialized transport sector of the construction industry may be of interest to your welders, mechanics, and students who desire a change of scenery day to day. Even more important is the difference these individuals make as they are part of a team building America’s infrastructure, cities, stadiums, or highly classified, one-time moves or lifts.
What is a Rigger?
Riggers are the unsung heroes of the construction industry. They are responsible for the safe and efficient assembly of structures, components, and machinery. The traditional definition of a rigger is a person that uses hoists and pulleys. The industry extends the term, however, to define anyone engaged in the lifting, moving, transporting, positioning, pulling, and securing of heavy equipment, machines, and oversized loads. A rigger moves loads varying in size, weight, and shape such as manufacturing machines in factories, X-ray machines in hospitals, and storage silos on farms. A rigger uses cranes, overhead lifting gear, pulleys, load-moving dollies, hydraulic jacks, and flatbed trucks.
What is an Oiler?
Oilers assist the crane operator with job tasks during the operation of the crane and provide rigging operations and hand signals to ensure the safe lifting of the load. An oiler is considered a crane operator in training for most companies. The oiler loads and secures equipment and drives the truck to the job site. They are expected to know and obey all safety and environmental policies while performing work on the job site. Often these are traveling positions and require full-time travel.
What is a Signal Person?
A signal person is any site worker tasked with the responsibility to communicate with the operator of any load-moving apparatus. Signal people act as the eyes and ears of the heavy equipment operator, directing what actions need to be carried out.
Not sure which of your students might be a good fit for the various roles in the industry? The December 2021 issue featured an article on matching students to positions in the industry using the infamous Myers-Briggs test which provides insight into strengths and aligns to many career options.
A 2021 article highlights the Holland test and results specific to jobs in the industry it can be found at https://liftandmoveusa.scr-foundation.org/what-personalities-are-found-in-the-crane-rigging-specialized-transport-industry/