Rigging Equipment

The Rigging Equipment section documents the standardized procedures for preparing, inspecting, handling, deploying, maintaining, and storing all rigging-specific equipment used by Maryland Productions (MP) and Event Revolution (RV). Rigging equipment is safety-critical and must always be handled with strict adherence to inspection, rating, and usage standards.

These SOPs ensure rigging equipment is safe to use, properly documented, and returned to service only when it meets MP/RV safety requirements.

Purpose

  • Standardize handling and inspection of all rigging equipment.

  • Ensure all rigging gear meets safety and rating requirements.

  • Prevent accidents caused by worn, damaged, or misused hardware.

  • Protect personnel, venues, and assets.

  • Support consistent warehouse prep and on-site rigging workflows.

  • Maintain clear accountability for rigging safety decisions.

Who This Section Is For

  • Rigging technicians and lead riggers

  • Technical Directors

  • Warehouse staff prepping rigging equipment

  • Repair and inspection technicians

  • Project Managers overseeing rigging scope

  • Authorized freelancers performing rigging work

Only trained and authorized personnel may handle or deploy rigging equipment.

Scope of Rigging Equipment

This section covers SOPs for:

  • Chain motors and motor controllers

  • Truss systems and connection hardware

  • Spansets, roundslings, and steel

  • Shackles, eyebolts, and rated hardware

  • Ground support structures

  • Rigging inspection tools and tags

  • Rigging cases, racks, and storage systems

Lighting-specific clamps and safeties are covered under Lighting Equipment SOPs.

Rigging Equipment Lifecycle

All rigging equipment follows the same standardized lifecycle:

  1. Prep & Inspection - Visual and tactile inspection - Verification of ratings and markings - Removal of unsafe equipment - Packing by system and job

  2. Deployment - Transport to site - Installation by qualified personnel - Verification before load is applied

  3. Operation - Monitoring during use - Environmental awareness (wind, load changes) - Immediate response to unsafe conditions

  4. Strike & Return - Controlled de-rigging - Inspection during strike - Scanning back into inventory

  5. Reset & Maintenance - Cleaning and inspection - Repair or retirement decisions - Documentation and re-tagging - Return to approved storage

Rigging equipment must never bypass this lifecycle.

Rigging Equipment Standards

All rigging equipment must meet the following standards:

  • Clearly marked with WLL or manufacturer rating

  • Free from cracks, deformation, or excessive wear

  • Compatible with intended loads and systems

  • Inspected before each use

  • Removed from service immediately if damaged

If a rating or condition is uncertain, the equipment is unsafe.

Integration with Other Departments

Rigging equipment interfaces closely with:

  • Lighting – Flown fixtures, truss-mounted systems

  • Video – LED walls, projectors, camera mounts

  • Power – Cable management, distro placement

  • Audio – Flown speakers and arrays

  • Logistics – Truck loading and securement

Rigging decisions affect all technical departments and must be coordinated.

Common Risk Areas

Rigging issues most often arise from:

  • Using unrated or mismatched hardware

  • Skipping inspections

  • Improper load calculations

  • Environmental changes (wind, ground conditions)

  • Unauthorized modifications

  • Poor communication between departments

The linked SOPs address these risks directly.

Structure of Rigging Equipment SOPs

Each Rigging Equipment SOP includes:

  • Overview and intended use

  • Safety and inspection requirements

  • Prep and deployment procedures

  • On-site monitoring expectations

  • Strike and reset procedures

  • Storage and retirement standards

This ensures rigging SOPs are consistent, clear, and enforceable.

Linked Rigging Equipment SOPs