Increasing federal and state regulations has meant that construction, especially of taller structures, has become more expensive in recent years. Investing in crane and rigging training, far from a useless expense, is a great way to ensure compliance, and ultimately increase your productivity. Furthermore, crane safety training can teach you about lifting gear, web slings, wire rope slings, and more. In fact, there are many possibilities what crane safety training can teach.

You may learn about chains, an older restraint used exclusively before web slings. Chain slings have a high strength alloy steel used specifically in the lifting industry. A chain was once actually a unit of measurement, with 10 chains in a furlong, and 80 chains in one statute mile. Today, chains are restraints. Common fittings for chains include eye nuts, eye bolts, quick links, S hooks and shackles.

Slings, such as web slings, are used for much lighter equipment, or in certain instances, crew members. These web slings and others are not as strong as chains, but are just as durable with the proper lifting gear. Of course, as the light weight payloads of web slings mean they are vulnerable to wind, one must use caution with these.

Finally, hoists are used to lift the heaviest objects of all, far exceeding what web slings can carry. In fact, hoists lift or lower a drum or lift wheel around rope or chain wraps, and are a major element of what cranes carry. These hoists also require advanced safety training.

Web slings, chains, hoists, and other equipment may seem intuitive to you. You may have been surrounded by them your entire life. That said, proper training is needed not just for regulatory compliance, but also to increase productivity. Once you learn more about correct use of cranes, web slings and other equipment, you do not just have a better compliance regimen. Rather, you can complete a project on time, on budget, and with fewer or no casualties.