Crane Operators, Dogmen, and Riggers: Who Are They?

09 March 2023

If you’ve never rented a crane before, you might believe hiring one is quite simple and easy to understand. You give us a call, hire a crane, and then we send one of those and an operator to lift whatever you require.

The Need for A Crane Lift

Although hiring a crane for a lift may have been a straightforward process in the past, due to the increasingly complex requirements of customers, the inherent risks associated with moving heavy things, and a wide variety of other factors, hiring a crane for a lift is now a process that involves more than just the crane operator.

When you rent a crane from a legitimate and respectable firm, they will often send not just a crane operator but also a rigger and dogman to the lifting site in addition to the crane operator. This is done to guarantee that everyone at the lifting site stays safe. These professionals all have a variety of educational backgrounds, professional certifications, and licences. They make sure that the lift is finished in a safe manner and without causing any harm to the thing that is being transported by working together.

Crane Operator

The individual who drives and operates the crane is called the crane operator. If you hire a crane with a capacity of 20 or 220 tonnes, you will still need an operator to utilise the crane safely.

In addition to the activities and responsibilities that come naturally to them, such as operating the crane before, during, and after the lift, they are also responsible for the following:

1. Conducting inspections and performing maintenance on crane equipment
2. Evaluate the ground’s state before putting the crane into position.
3. Assessing the ground conditions to determine if steel plates or pieces of lumber should be placed beneath the outrigger pads of the crane.
4. Using the equipment in the crane cabin to verify that the load is within the acceptable parameters.
5. To ensure that the weight is placed correctly, follow the signs the personnel gave on the ground.

Riggers

A labour force member responsible for transporting heavy items and equipment around construction sites is called a rigger. When it comes to hiring a crane, it is their responsibility to set up the crane equipment and any temporary buildings for the crane to complete the lift. A rigger is someone who lifts big items by making use of rigging equipment such as chain blocks and winches. In addition, riggers may also be responsible for the assembly of temporary and permanent structures, including those made of structural steel and precast panels. If the rigger is considered intermediate, they have the authority to hook up, rotate, and install precast concrete structures, as well as to move and assemble precast facades and panels on buildings that are still in the process of being constructed. They can also carry out what are known as “dual lifts,” which means that they may undertake a lift with the assistance of more than one crane if necessary.

Dogmen

The term “Dog” really refers to a piece of machinery used for grasping, while the term “Dogman” refers to the person who works with such machinery. Dogmen are also often referred to as Spotters. The name “Dogman” first gained traction in Australia in the 1940s and has remained in use ever since. Dogmen often operate in groups, and their primary responsibilities include slinging loads and providing direction to the Crane Operator via radio transmission, whistles, and hand signals when the lift is out of the dogmen’s line of sight. Dogmen generally work in the construction industry.

Contact us to discover more about what riggers, dogmen, and crane operators can do to help you!