Rigging and Slinging — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for the selection, inspection, and use of rigging equipment including wire rope slings, chain slings, webbing slings, shackles, and spreader beams for crane and mechanical lifting operations.
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Rigging and slinging work — the attachment of loads to cranes, hoists, and mechanical lifting devices — is HRCW under Schedule 3 of the model WHS Regulations and requires a SWMS wherever it is performed on a construction site. Rigging is also specifically regulated through the HRW licensing framework; workers must hold a Rigging licence appropriate to the complexity of the work: Basic Rigging (RB) for simple slings and below-hook devices, Intermediate Rigging (RI) for gin poles, sheer legs, and flying fox systems, and Advanced Rigging (RA) for all types including suspended scaffolds and static lines.
The selection of rigging equipment must follow the requirements of AS 3569 (Steel wire ropes), AS 3776 (Shackles), AS 1353 (Flat webbing slings), and AS 3775 (Chain slings for lifting purposes). Every item of lifting equipment must be marked with its safe working load (SWL), and this SWL must never be exceeded. The SWL of slings is affected by the sling angle — as the angle between the sling leg and the vertical increases, the load in each leg increases significantly. At a 60-degree included angle (30 degrees from vertical), the leg load is equal to the load weight; at 120 degrees (60 degrees from vertical), the leg load reaches the SWL of the sling even with the same load.
Pre-use inspection of all rigging equipment must be documented. Wire rope slings must be removed from service when they exhibit broken wires, kinks, corrosion, or reduction in diameter per AS 3569. Webbing slings must be removed when cut, worn through to load-bearing fibres, or heat-damaged. Chain slings require inspection for elongation, nicks, and deformation per AS 3775. All rigging equipment must be tagged with an inspection date and stored correctly when not in use.
Customise this template by documenting the specific rigging configuration for the lift (single leg, two-leg, four-leg, or spreader beam), the load weight and centre of gravity, the sling angles and resultant leg loads, and the identification numbers of all rigging items used. Inspection records for each item should be attached.
This SWMS applies in all Australian states and territories. Rigger HRW licence requirements are consistent across all jurisdictions that have adopted the model WHS laws.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Crane or hoist work
- •Rigging work that requires a rigging work licence
Risk Assessment
1.Pre-use inspection of rigging equipment
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sling or fitting failure due to undetected damage | Catastrophic | Conduct a detailed pre-use inspection of every sling, shackle, hook, swivel, and lifting lug before each lift in accordance with AS 3569 (wire rope), AS 3775 (chain), and AS 1380/4497 (webbing). Wire rope slings: check for broken wires (>10% in any one lay length = remove from service), kinks, corrosion, and crushed areas. Chain slings: check each link for cracks, stretch, gouging, and twist. Webbing slings: check for cuts, chemical damage, UV degradation, heat damage, and label legibility. All rigging must have a current annual inspection tag from a licensed rigger. Remove any item from service if in doubt — do not use. | Low | Licensed Rigger |
| Use of non-compliant or unrated lifting equipment | Catastrophic | Only lifting equipment that carries a legible WLL (Working Load Limit) mark in accordance with relevant Australian Standards may be used for lifting operations. Do not use generic chain or rope not certified as lifting equipment. All shackles must be rated bow or D-shackles with a screw pin secured with mousing wire — no snap shackles for load bearing. Spreader beams and lifting frames must carry a rated capacity tag and current certification. Never fabricate improvised lifting equipment. Maintain a rigging register of all equipment on site. | Low | Licensed Rigger / Site Supervisor |
2.Sling angle and load distribution calculation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sling overloaded due to incorrect angle calculation | High | Calculate sling tension for all multi-leg sling arrangements using the sling angle reduction factor. At a 60° included angle (30° from vertical), each sling leg carries the full load — not the load divided by number of legs. Sling angles between the leg and the horizontal must not be less than 45° for two-leg bridle slings (de-rates capacity by 70.7%). Include sling angle calculation in the written lift plan. Use a calibrated inclinometer to verify sling angles in the field before hoist commences. Display a sling angle/capacity reference chart in the rigging area. | Low | Licensed Rigger |
3.Load attachment and rigging configuration
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Load tipping or slipping from rigging during lift | Catastrophic | Identify centre of gravity of load before rigging. Attach rigging above the centre of gravity to ensure stable hang. Confirm balance with a low test lift to 300 mm before full lift — lower and re-rig if load is not level within 5° before continuing. Use load spreader beams where sling angles cannot be maintained or where direct sling contact would damage the load. Softeners (timber, rubber, or hose) must be installed where slings contact sharp edges on the load to prevent sling cutting. Never allow workers to straddle or stand on the load during rigging. | Low | Licensed Rigger / Dogman |
| Shackle pin backing out under load rotation | High | Install mousing wire through the shackle pin hole and around the bow on all shackles used in rotating or dynamic load applications. For all lifts, tighten shackle pin to hand-tight plus one quarter turn and verify it is fully seated. Inspect mousing wire condition before each lift. Use bow shackles (not D-shackles) where the load can rotate on the shackle pin. Screw pins must not be the only load-bearing connection point — the bow of the shackle must be in the primary load path. | Low | Licensed Rigger |
4.Load lifting and placement
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers struck by swinging or descending load | Catastrophic | All personnel must be clear of the load and beneath the load path before the lift commences. Dogman to visually confirm exclusion zone is clear before giving hoist signal. Tag lines minimum 10 m long must be used on all loads over 500 kg or any load susceptible to rotation or swing. Workers holding tag lines must stand clear of the load's fall zone. No worker to stand beneath a suspended load at any time. Land loads on stable, load-rated dunnage (timber packs or crane mats) and confirm stability before releasing rigging. | Moderate | Dogman / All Workers |
5.Rigging equipment storage and maintenance
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deterioration of rigging from improper storage | Moderate | Store all slings on designated hooks or racks, off the ground, in a dry, ventilated location away from direct sunlight, chemicals, and heat sources. Coil wire rope slings in direction of natural lay and secure with a tie to prevent kinking. Dry webbing slings before storage if wet — never store damp. Store chain slings with links laid flat, not bundled in a way that creates kinks. Log all rigging equipment in and out of the rigging store and record inspection outcomes. Quarantine and mark defective equipment with a 'DO NOT USE — REMOVE FROM SERVICE' tag before disposal. | Low | Licensed Rigger / Storekeeper |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.