A rigger in Houston told me to always check the hook myself, even if the signalman says it's clear

We were on a site near the ship channel, setting some big HVAC units on a roof. The signalman gave the all clear, but this older rigger, guy named Carl, walked over and put his hand on the hook block. He found a twist in the line I couldn't see from the cab. He just looked up and said, 'Your eyes, your lift.' It stuck with me because it puts the final call on the operator, not the ground crew. I mean, it adds time, but maybe it saves a big problem. Do you guys double-check the rigging from the ground before you take the load?

4 comments

4 Comments

michael6692mo ago

Your neck, your check.

ninar122mo ago

My cousin had that exact same thing happen last month, a real pain in the neck literally. It took her a full week before she could turn her head without wincing. I hope you have a good heating pad handy, that was her only saving grace. Wishing you a speedy recovery, those muscle strains are no joke.

elliot_gibson271mo ago

Yeah I don't know about the heating pad honestly. Ice helped me way more when I had this a few years back. The heat just made things swell up and feel worse for me. But everyone's different I guess.

knight.felix2mo ago

Yeah a week sounds about right for these things. The heating pad tip is a good one, it really does help a lot. Hope your cousin is all better now.