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Rigger Assessment
OPITO Approved Standard
Rigger Assessment
© OPITO
The contents of this document were developed by an Industry Work Group co-ordinated by
OPITO.
OPITO Representatives
The work group were also assisted by submissions from training providers
This document was drafted to assist the industry in fulfilling their intentions as laid down in
the Lifting & Mechanical Handling Guidelines issued by Step Change. Further guidance on
employee competency and Lifting and Mechanical Handling is available from the Step
Change in Safety website www.stepchangeinsafety.net or by post from Step Change in
Safety, PO Box 10406, Aberdeen, AB12 3YL
_____________________________
OPITO
Minerva House
Bruntland Road
Portlethen
Aberdeen
AB12 4QL
© OPITO is the trading brand of CSSL, a member of the Cogent SSC Ltd group of companies.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval or
information storage system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the
publishers.
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AMENDMENTS
Any amendments made to this standard by OPITO will be recorded above. The amended
pages along with this page will then be posted on the OPITO website www.opito.net
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CONTENTS PAGE
SECTION A
INTRODUCTION 5- 6
Development of Standard 7
Performance Assessment 7
Certification & Recording 8
SECTION B
GUIDANCE TO ASSESSOR
Assessing Candidates 9-10
SECTION C 11-19
THE ASSESSMENT
Target Group
Delegate Prerequisites
Learning Outcomes
The Assessment Programme
SECTION D
RESOURCES
Staff 20-21
Facilities 22
Equipment 23
SECTION E
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 24
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A. INTRODUCTION
This document introduces and details the basic competencies and safety
training required by the UK Offshore Oil & Gas Industry for persons
involved in Rigging and Lifting Operations, generally referred to as
Riggers. It explains how competence shall be assessed and
certified for Stage 3, Assessment. It should not be seen as a
replacement or equivalent of a Level 3 rigger qualification, but can be
used where gaining of this qualification is not practical e.g. due to
changing work locations or employers.
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Onshore
Ongoing Training and
Performance Assessment
Development
AUDIT
PROCESS
Assessment Supervised
Workplace
Training &
Experience
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Using this competence based approach; the following were identified and
developed:
(b) The knowledge and skills they would require to enable them to
do what was expected of them.
Using the identified knowledge and skills the content of this programme
was developed. This approach has ensured the content is relevant with
the benefits being focused and effective assessment leading to safer
practices adopted at the worksite.
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The successful completion of this assessment does not imply that the
candidate can take on the role of the ‘Competent Person/LOLER Focal
Point as defined in the Step Change Lifting and Mechanical Handling
Guidelines. For this role at least three years operational experience is
required that includes experience in producing ‘Task Based Risk
Assessments’ and detailed ‘Lifting Plans’. For the purpose of this
standard the candidate should be able to identify the hazards associated
with a lifting operation and specify how these hazards can be eliminated
or adequately controlled. In addition the candidate should be able to
produce a basic lifting plan.
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The Industry Standard for Rigger Assessment defines the skills and
knowledge candidates will be required to demonstrate.
It is for the training providers to design assessment exercises that will enable
the candidates to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge.
It is essential that this Section “Guidance to the Assessor” is read and
understood by the training provider
• What is in this document?
This document sets out the minimum physical and human resources required
to provide off the job assessment in rigging and lifting operations. It describes
the evidence that an assessor should seek in order to make a judgement on
each candidate’s competence and it includes assessment sheets.
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(c) Having ensured (a) and (b) you (the assessor) should clearly explain to
the candidate(s) the task(s) to be performed indicating also how you
intend to gather evidence (e.g. observation of simulated exercises, oral
or written questions).
(e) Start the assessment, allow the candidates to continue with the tasks
unless there is a breach of safety at which point the assessment should
be stopped. The exercise may continue when safety has been
restored in order to identify any future training or development needs.
Candidates should not be guided or prompted during the assessment.
However, it will be necessary by using an appropriate questioning
technique to ensure the candidates have the necessary underpinning
knowledge and understanding to perform the tasks effectively and
safely.
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C. THE ASSESSMENT
Delegates will be required to provide evidence that they have at least two
years recent experience working on rigging tasks on a full time basis, and
have an awareness of manual handling. This should be in the form of
written testimony from their current/previous employer (Note: contact details,
e.g. telephone number, e-mail, etc. should be included on the testimony).
Delegates should bring with them, blank copies of their company’s pro-
formas for risk assessment, lifting plans and toolbox talks.
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C.5.2.1 Prior to each lifting operation the candidate for assessment should be
questioned on the risks identified and the control measures required.
These should be assessed against a model risk assessment for the task
prepared, in advance, by the training provider
C.5.2.2 Prior to each lifting operation and following the above questioning, the
candidate for assessment should be asked to describe the steps
required to complete the task and to produce a basic lifting plan. These
should be assessed against a model lifting plan prepared, in advance, by
the training provider.
C.5.2.3 The candidate may be provided with the model risk assessments and
Lifting plan to use for one of their exercise and given the opportunity to
brief the team.
C.5.2.5 Each exercise should provide opportunities for the assessor to obtain
evidence to meet all the criteria in the learning outcomes within this
standard.
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ELEMENTS 1.1 Plan and Prepare for Lifting and Moving Loads
1.2 Lifting and Moving of a Load
SPECIFIC APPLICATION
This unit refers to the competence required to plan, prepare for and complete the
movement of loads.
The candidate’s responsibility extends beyond the selection of the lifting equipment
to the determination of a safe transit route for the load and an assessment of load
requirements. In some cases the candidate may still be expected to refer to others
for final authorisations, even though responsibility for identifying and implementing
decisions remains with the candidate.
Factors which, when present individually or in combination, define the scope of this
unit and describe relevant applications are as follows:
Load characteristics
• Structural steelwork
• Structural steelwork assemblies
• Pipework assemblies
• Plant and equipment
Moving methods
• Trolleys
• Winches and hoists
• Jacks
• Rollers
• Skids
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ASSESSMENT SHEET
Element 1.1 Plan and prepare for lifting and moving loads
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Source of Evidence
O – Observation S – Simulation Q – Questioning P – Product of work
Range
1) Load characteristics which effect complexity: very large size, uneven weight
distribution, of a fragile nature, difficult to access lifting points
Assessor Declaration
I consider that Candidate Performance for this element has met/not met* all
Performance Criteria against this range
*delete as applicable
Assessor’s Name
Assessor’s Signature
Candidate’s Signature
Assessment Date
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ASSESSMENT SHEET
Sources of evidence
O – Observation S – Simulation Q – Questioning P – Product of work
Range
1) Load characteristics which effect complexity: very large size, uneven weight
distribution, of a fragile nature, with difficult access lifting points
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Assessor Declaration
I consider that Candidate Performance for this element has met/not met* all
Performance Criteria against this range
*delete as applicable
Assessor’s Name
Assessor’s Signature
Candidate’s Signature
Assessment Date
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The total contact time per day shall not exceed 8 hours.
The total assessment day shall not exceed 10 hours (the total training day
includes contact time, coffee and meal breaks, and travel time between
training sites where applicable).
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D. RESOURCES
D.1 Staff
Instructional staff will be required to carry out training and Assessors will be
required to judge candidate’s competence. It is important that the staff
involved have the appropriate qualifications and experience.
D.1.1.2 Assessors
(a) Competent in the area being assessed; ideally they will hold a level 3
rigger qualification, but as a minimum must provide evidence of
extensive practical rigging experience
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D.2. Facilities
Note: Both wire and webbing slings must be used during exercises
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D.3 Equipment
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E. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
• Establishment Name
• Full OPITO Course Title stating that it is OPITO approved
• Delegate's Name
• Course Dates
• Certificate Number
• Establishment Signatory
(c) All Joining Instructions contain information, on the content of the
standard and the expectations, and which indicate certain aspects of
the course are of a physical nature. The responsibility for the individual
completing the course without any adverse effects to their present state
of health lies with the delegate and/or company sponsoring the
delegate.
(d) Prior to each course commencing, delegates must sign a declaration
indicating they have read and understood a written statement regarding
the physical nature of the programme and the need for delegates to be
in good health. Instructional staff should also read out a statement
indicating this at the time.
Where doubt exists regarding the medical fitness of any delegate
the establishment should seek the advice of a medical examiner.
(f) Risk assessment of all training areas and provision of all appropriate
safety equipment.
(g) Written statements of organisation for all sessions, which clearly define
responsibilities and relationships for all staff either directly or indirectly
involved.
(h) All training and supporting activities are carried out in accordance with
current legislation and safe working practices.
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