Rigger Initial Training (previously stage 1)

This Product is for personnel who have had little or no training and/or experience in rigging and lifting operations and wish to gain an Industry-recognised introductory certificate in rigging and lifting operations prior to undertaking further supervised workplace training.

This Product aims to equip the learner with knowledge of the rigging principles, general hazards and risks of rigging and lifting operations, an awareness of relevant legislation and regulation, and an opportunity to practice basic rigging operations following a lifting plan.

Medical entry requirements

Training activities contained within this Product may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements. All personnel who participate in such activities must be capable of participating fully.

Therefore, OPITO-approved training centres are required, as a minimum, to ensure that prior to participating in practical exercises the learner is declared fit, in that they:

a)Possess an employing company approved medical certificate equivalent to an offshore medical certificate.

OR

b)Undergo medical screening by completing an appropriate medical screening form provided by the OPITO-approved Centre

The OPITO-approved Centre shall keep a record of the learners’ declaration(s) of fitness in accordance with their document control policy(s) or procedures. This information, along with summary details of the type of physical activities the learner will be asked to perform, will be given to learners by the OPITO approved Centre and, if applicable, to their sponsoring company as part of the joining instructions. The responsibility for declaring any current or pre-existing medical conditions that could have adverse effects to the individual’s state of health while undertaking the training and/or assessment activities lies with the learner and/or company sponsoring the learner. Where doubt exists regarding the fitness of any learner, the OPITO-approved Centre must direct the individual to consult a medical officer familiar with the nature and extent of the training.

Note: Practical exercises must be designed and delivered solely to meet this Product and must not place on the learners any demands other than those required to meet the Product.

To achieve the Rigger Training the learner will need to complete the 2 mandatory units.

24 hours 

There is an approximate ratio of 30% theory to 70% practical.

Following successful completion of the OPITO Rigger Initial Training Programme, the learner can proceed to the workplace to work under direct supervision of a competent person - to complete Rigger Workplace Experience Logbook – See supporting document

Please refer to Rigger Training and Assessment Framework also. 

2 years and 8 months

The issue of the Rigger Initial Training Certificate indicates that the learner has achieved the minimum level of training as defined by employers and approved by OPITO; it does not imply competence in the Rigger role.

Note: The OPITO Rigger Workplace Experience Logbook must be completed and OPITO Rigger Competence Assessment must be undertaken during this two-year and eight month period if the learner wishes to achieve an OPITO-approved Rigger certificate of competence.

Please note: If the expiry date on the learners previous certificate is within 3 months prior of the course enrolment date then the date of the new certificate should correspond with the expiry date of the existing/previous certificate unless stated otherwise by the Duty Holder or Asset Owner or Operator.