Riggers set up and repair rigging gear to lift and move machinery, equipment, or materials in manufacturing plants, in shipyards, and on construction projects.  In the entertainment industry, Riggers set up scenery and other equipment in motion picture and theatrical productions and set up displays and booths in exhibitions and trade shows. 

JOB DUTIES

Riggers may:

Select cables, ropes, pulleys, winches, blocks, and sheaves, according to the weight and size of the load to be moved

Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures, such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, with bolts and clamps

Clean and dress machine surfaces and component parts

Attach the load(s), such as assembly line components, furnaces, structural steel, processing tanks, and conveyors, with grappling devices (loops, wires, ropes or chains) to the crane hook

Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability

Signal and direct workers who operate cranes or other hoisting equipment to move the load, using hand signals, loudspeakers, or telephones

Set up, brace, and rig hoisting equipment, using power wrenches and hand tools

Splice rope and wire cables to make or repair slings or tackle

Control the movement of heavy equipment (whether one piece or sectional) through narrow openings or confined spaces

Align, level, and anchor machinery

Dismantle, maintain, and store rigging equipment

To view Riggers at work click here .

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Riggers may specialize in these areas:

921.260-010 RIGGER

806.261-014 RIGGERS in the ship building or shipping industries fabricate, install and repair rigging and weight-handling gear on ships. They attach hoisting and pulling gear to the rigging in order to lift, move, and position machinery, equipment, structural parts, and other heavy loads aboard the ship.

962.684-010 ACROBATIC RIGGERS erect equipment, such as a swinging trapeze or highwire, for aerial and acrobatic acts in variety shows, circuses, and carnivals. They also erect nets under aerial and high wire acts for the safety of the performers and raise and lower the equipment during a performance.

You may also wish to explore the program information for the following related Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Riggers are usually supervised by a job steward, master rigger, or rigging supervisor. Riggers often work in crews of at least three Riggers. They must work cooperatively with millwrights, electricians, crane and hoisting machine operators, iron workers, and laborers/helpers. Riggers may work outdoors and indoors. They work in manufacturing plants, shipyards and dockyards, public utility facilities, and large convention and exhibit halls.

Riggers must follow safety rules and practices. They might face falls, strains from handling heavy machinery, and injuries from using rigging equipment and hand tools. They reduce injuries by using hard hats, safety shoes, goggles, gloves, and safety belts and nets.

Riggers usually work from 8:00 a.m. to  4:30 p.m., on weekdays. They might work one of two shifts. They might have to work overtime to complete projects. Riggers in the construction industry usually must have a car for traveling from one job site to another, although some employers provide transportation. Riggers may have to buy their personal tools.

Some may belong to labor unions such as the Machinery Movers Riggers and Machinery Erectors Union ; the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union ; or other unions representing Workers at their place of employment. Union members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, and methods

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities which bring satisfaction from working on/producing things

You Should Be Able To:

• Coordinate movements of hands/feet according to visual signals

• Work easily and skillfully with your hands

• Visualize how flat drawings/pictures would look as solid objects

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A 3.0 kilogram sign hangs from the ceiling by a rope perpendicular to the sign, what is the minimum tensile strength necessary for the rope?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

An observed change in motion, including motion starting from rest, is evidence of a force. This leads to a common definition of force: a force is something capable of changing an object's state of motion.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the means in which you plan to move a piece of production machinery.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a piece of production machinery and decide the best way to move it given its current environment and the location where it should be moved.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Students should obtain the local Education & Training Opportunities for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com.

COMBAT ENGINEERS

Combat situations often require rapid travel across difficult terrain and swift-flowing rivers. A combination of combat ability and building skill is necessary to do field construction for fighting forces.

What They Do

Combat engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Construct trails, roads, and field fortifications, such as shelters, bunkers, and gun emplacements.

• Erect floating or prefabricated bridges

• Lay and clear mine fields and booby traps

• Place and detonate explosives, as needed

• Erect camouflage and other protective barriers for artillery and troop positions

• Load, unload, and move supplies and equipment, using planes, helicopters, trucks, and amphibious vehicles

• Participate in combat operations as infantrymen

Physical Demands

Combat engineers must meet very demanding physical requirements. They need agility and balance and must be able to perform strenuous physical activities over long periods of time. Combat engineers lift and move heavy objects. Some specialties require good swimming abilities.

Special Qualifications

This occupation is open only to men.

Work Environment

Because combat engineers must be prepared to support operations anywhere in the world, they work and train for long hours under all kinds of weather conditions and in all climates. Combat engineers work, eat, and sleep outdoors during training exercises and in real combat situations. Most of the time, combat engineers are assigned to military bases.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include mathematics, general science, and industrial arts. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to use hand and power tools

• Ability to think and remain calm under stress

• Preference for working outdoors

Training Provided

Job training for combat engineers is mainly provided on the job. On-the-job training consist of manual work in a variety of construction projects covering the following:

• Basic construction methods

• Bridge building

• Road maintenance and repair

• Rough carpentry and rigging

• Use of hand and power tools

The Marine Corps offers a 6-week course in basic combat engineering skills. Combat training in infantry skills is also provided to combat engineers.

Civilian Counterparts

Although the job of combat engineer has no direct equivalent in civilian life, experience as a combat engineer is related to occupations in several civilian fields. These include the logging, mining, construction, shipping, and landscaping industries. Civilians in these jobs are called forestry aides, loggers, blasters, and construction workers.

Opportunities

After basic training, combat engineers are assigned to jobs requiring the application of basic skills and use of common construction tools. After gaining knowledge and improving skill, they may be selected for additional training in various construction specialties, such as road and bridge building. Eventually, they may supervise others and assist in managing engineering units.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Summer or part-time work for high school students is not permitted in this field of work. Courses such as blueprint reading, carpentry, machine shop, and welding are helpful. Constructing stage sets for school or other amateur theater groups and remodeling/renovating the interior of homes are also ways to explore the field. Rigging experience may be obtained in branches of military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

Informal apprenticeships

Mentorships

Job shadowing experiences

Touring a local Rigger employer

Internships

Volunteer work with a Rigger employer

Community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is direct application to employers. Assistance in locating jobs may be obtained from local unions representing Riggers. Other sources of help may be high school counselors, and local offices of Michigan Works! . Job openings may also be listed in newspaper want ads.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services  

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Riggers vary according to the individual's experience, the size and type of employer, and the extent of unionization. The weekly earnings of Riggers was $1,075 in 2008. The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $722 in 2008.The basic union hourly rate, including fringe benefits, for Riggers in various Michigan cities in mid 2009 were:

Unionized riggers in Michigan earned an hourly wage ranging between $27.64 and $29.32 in 2009. Some employers may provide cost-of-living allowances and extra pay for late-shift and overtime work. Riggers may be reimbursed travel expenses when private transportation is used to reach job sites.

Depending on the employer, most Riggers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and disability insurance; health insurance; sick pay; and retirement plans. Some Riggers may also receive dental and optical insurance coverage. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part by employers. In the construction industry, employees and/or employers may contribute to union-sponsored trust funds to support fringe benefits. Riggers may advance to master Rigger and then to rigging supervisor. Promotions depend on the level of training, job experience and ability to supervise.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 12,300 Riggers employed in 2006. Employment of Riggers is expected to have little or no change for all occupations through the year 2016. The industry distribution for Riggers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Job opportunities will depend largely on the levels of commercial and industrial construction and of manufacturing. The large amounts of imported foreign goods through U.S. ports of entry (dockyards) should continue to provide employment for Riggers.

There are approximately 100 Riggers employed in Michigan. Most Riggers are employed by steel mills, auto and machinery manufacturers, construction firms, utility companies, and shipyards and dockyards.

Employment of Riggers in Michigan is expected to have little or no change in employment through the year 2016. Few annual openings are expected due to the need to replace most of those workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Some openings may occur as workers change jobs or occupations. In 2009, there were 16 apprentices in training for this occupation, and 3 completed the apprentice program during the prior 12 months.

Vacancy rates of office buildings and apartments are coming down, the tax shelter boom in speculative building may begin again if the economy continues to recover. Some opportunities for Riggers will exist due to proposed commercial development of some major projects in southeastern and western Michigan. The completed expansion of the Cobo Hall convention facility in Detroit is expected to result in the scheduling of more and larger trade exhibits, and manufacturer shows, requiring Riggers to assist in moving equipment and machinery and erecting booths and displays. 
 

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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