Should I Choose a CICB Rigging Course, or a CCO Preparation Course?
Our CICB Courses allow our students to walk away with a certificate upon passing their exams. The certificate is not to be mistaken for a certification- the employer can use the certificate to deem the employee as qualified at their discretion.
OSHA defines qualified as “one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.” Certain employers will gladly accept a certificate, while others require a certification.
A certification is given from a nationally accredited institute, such as the CCO. You will receive an official card upon passing both the written and practical CCO Rigger exams. This can be taken to any employer, and they will accept the certification.
The decision of which route you should take ultimately should be decided based on your employer. Does your employer accept a certificate? If so, do you plan on staying with the company for several years?
Once you decide whether to take a CICB Rigger class or a CCO Preparation Course, the next step is to decide which course to take.
CICB Rigger Class C Course
Although we previously covered this course in detail, we did want to provide a summary for comparison. This course is two days and covers both rigging and signalperson/communications.
The calculations in this course utilize basic math, inclusive of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The course has an individual written exam and a group practical exam.
Yes, the practical is given in a group format, since your certificate upon passing the exams will allow you to assist a rigger. You also have the ability to work in an environment where you will not need to choose your own equipment, such as a manufacturer’s testing facility.
The course mostly focuses on identifying safe rigging equipment, and when to take a device out of service.
CICB Rigger Class B Course
This course is three days and also covers both rigging and signaling. The calculations are slightly more advanced than our Rigger Class C Course. In this class, you will learn how to calculate the Sling Angle Factor, center of gravity, load weight, and sling tension.
This course has both an individual written and practical examination. For the practical, you will be required to rig an object on your own. In addition, you are properly inspecting and selecting the rigging equipment. Upon passing the written and practical examinations, you will be administered a certificate which will allow you to rig solo.
As a reminder, the ASME B30.5 Standard has been updated. As of December 17,2022, there must be at least one qualified rigger on any jobsite in any industry where a mobile crane is used. In order for a person to be considered qualified by ASME's terms, they need to be formally trained and given a written and practical exam. Passing this course meets the requirements for this standard.
CICB Rigger Class A Course
This class is significantly different to our Rigger B and C Courses. Rigger Class A is also known as our “advanced” rigging course. Since everyone may have a different perspective on what “advanced” means in rigging, this course is completely customizable.
This class commonly focuses on advanced math such as calculating volumes, the Pythagorean Theorem, and shared weight.
If your employees or yourself believe you know all of the information in our Rigger B and C Courses, this one is for you. Your course instructor will meet with you or your supervisor prior to your training to understand exactly what you would like to learn. They will then create a course curriculum that matches your needs.
Preparation for the CCO Rigger Level I Examination
If you are choosing the certification route, we are here to help you prepare for your CCO examinations. This program is three days, and we provide you with a study guide, workbook and the training you need to pass the examinations.
By the end of this course, you will be able to inspect rigging equipment, rig hitches, utilize rigging connections, and tie basic knots. Upon passing both the written and practical examinations, you will receive a certification. This course is recommended for new hires, or those brand new to rigging.
In addition to preparing for the CCO examination, we teach proper terminology and practices. This eliminates incorrect habits that could result in an accident or injury.
Preparation for the CCO Rigger Level II Examination
The knowledge learned in the CCO Rigger Level I Preparatory Training Program carries into this Level II program. This course is three days long and also includes a study guide and hands-on practice. You will learn how to calculate the center of gravity and load angle factors. In addition, you will estimate the load weight, inspect and attach rigging equipment, and understand load dynamics and associated hazards.
Similar to Rigger Level I, Rigger Level II has both a written and practical examination. This practical exam consists of two tasks: a level lift and a rigging frame rotation.
Upon completion and passing of the written and practical examinations, a certification will be issued. This certification allows the employee to perform rigging tasks while unsupervised.
Similar to CICB’s Rigger B Course, holding the CCO Rigger Level II certification fulfills the requirements of the ASME B30.5 Standard. It is imperative to have at least one qualified rigger at your job site, for they will supervise unqualified riggers.
It is highly recommended that the Rigger Level I exam is completed before moving onto Rigger Level II. CICB has the ability to pair the Rigger Levels I and II Preparatory Trainings together, so you can take the Rigger Level II examination without a waiting period.
Final Notes About our Rigger Courses
Even though our courses have a clear outline, they can all be tailored to your needs. If you want to add extra hands-on time or an extra day of instruction, we are able to do so. We also have the ability to pair classes, so if you would like to take both Rigger C and B, you absolutely can take them both in the same week.
Everyone has to begin somewhere, and beginning at CICB is a great step. When signing up for a course, be honest with your Account Manager about any previous experience. If you are brand new to rigging, share that information so we can make sure your class has enough time to properly learn the information. You can also view our list of rigging courses right here.
This is especially important when signing up for preparation courses for CCO Rigger examinations. If you are brand new to rigging, an extra day of instruction can be added, to ensure all information is taught prior to taking the CCO exam. It is our goal at CICB for every student to succeed.
