Larry Postelwait, Manager, Industrial Splicing & Sling

1. You have been involved in professional rigging training for many years. What do you think about the use of Model Rigging Training Kits in support of rigging training?

    

   “I think the use of models is an excellent tool for rigging training. We usually have two types of training. The first and most prevalent is an introduction to rigging. The type of people that are in that class, range from no experience to qualified. These classes create a challenge to get enough information to the qualified, while not overwhelming the non-rigger. Many of the safety professionals are attempting to get as many employees exposed to rigging training as possible. As you know, we are normally training on slings in general and inspection of different types of slings.”

2. How have you used the Model Rigging Training Kits to support training or learning activities?

    

   I actually use both the construction kit for props during the general sling portion, of the presentation and the sling angle and load cell kit for a workbook problem, in class. You would be surprised how many people there are who should know how to work the problem but cannot get the correct answer. For example, the effect of sling angles is not well understood. Almost everyone is surprised at the increase in load because of sling angles.

3. What has the reaction of your customers been to the Model Rigging Training Kit?

    

   Using the same example of the increase in load for the sling angle, many are totally surprised by the increase. The kits allow the students to see it firsthand. It is an excellent tool. I will continue to use these kits for our training in the future.

4. What changes or additional features would you like to be incorporated in the Model Rigging Training Kits that you use?

    

   I think you guys hit the model kits dead center. The only issue is sometimes the load cells can be difficult to get a 100% correlation with the sling angle calculations. All in all a good hit of the target, with your first generation.

5. Who would you recommend utilize the Model Rigging Training kits in the rigging industry?

    

   Going back to the first question, you almost have to target the students who already have some basic knowledge and would like to go deeper with rigging knowledge. With your knowledge and skills, it should be an easy sell!

To learn more about training and product opportunities at Industrial Splicing & Sling, please see their website here.

Steven French, Senior Equipment Operations and Rigging Training Specialist
Enterprise Improvement, Tennessee Valley Authority

1. You have been involved in professional rigging training for many years. What do you think about the use of Model Rigging Training Kits in support of rigging training?

    

   The model rigging training kits are great to explain different hitches and applications in a classroom setting, especially for those that do not have previous rigging experience.

1. How have you used the Model Rigging Training Kits to support training or learning activities?

    

   We have used them to have the participants rig several different scenarios with varying sling lengths and centers of gravity, and used them in combination with our 1/18 scale RC mobile cranes.

1. What has the reaction of your trainers and your students been to the Model Rigging Training Kits?

    

   Both our trainers and students have had positive results with the model kits, by being able to use them in a classroom setting just makes it easier and better for everyone.

1. How have you incorporated the Model Rigging Training Kit curriculum into your existing training?

    

   We have actually used it for our rigging task qualifications at some of our sites, to requalify riggers, and to better explain hitches, centers of gravity, etc.

    

2. Who would you recommend utilize the Model Rigging Training kits in the rigging industry?

    

   Anyone involved with rigging training, union apprenticeship programs that have younger students with no prior rigging experience or companies with rigging training programs.