Marine - Industrial Rigging

Overview

Whether it's working on a heavy equipment jobsite or building complicated rigging systems for circuses or theatres, qualified riggers save lives every day and are a vital part of many industries in Nova Scotia. As a rigger, you are responsible for lifting and moving objects or loads with cranes, ropes, pulleys, chain hoists and other equipment. In this program, you develop the competencies, skills and knowledge you need to work in the rigging field by learning:

• how to accurately assess the size and weight of heavy objects
• the capacity of rigging devices and hoisting ropes, slings and other equipment
• operating procedures for effective rigging, lifting and landing of heavy loads
• hazardous factors associated with rigging operations and safe work practices
• how to fabricate, inspect, install and repair rigging slings and lift equipment

With a solid foundation, you're prepared to secure employment as a rigger in a wide variety of industries, ranging from offshore oil rigs to entertainment rigging, to sales and inspection. Many graduates also offer their services as independent consultants.

Work experience

• Field experience (work placement) is a mandatory credit course completed at the end of your program. It provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.
• Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work placements are your responsibility.
• For more information visit Work Experience Opportunities

Choose NSCC

• The Marine Industrial Rigging program is the only one of its kind in Atlantic Canada.
• This program has been developed with industry to meet an increasing demand for highly skilled riggers.
• You participate in a number of introductory safety awareness courses designed to prepare you for employment.

Other info

• Many employers in this industry require a current, official Criminal Record check as part of the hiring process. A conviction on your criminal record may impact your ability to secure employment.

2021-22 programs

Program delivery may be subject to change based on Public Health guidelines.

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View details

Program requirements

• Portfolio Development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.
• Forklift Awareness
• Manlift Operation
• Introduction to Lockout for federally regulated workplaces

Tuition

2022-23 tuition will be announced in the late Spring once approved by the government of Nova Scotia. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional. Amounts below were for the 2021-22 academic year.

Tuition, fees and program costs

This program is not offered at regular NSCC tuition.

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Marine - Industrial Rigging

Career options

With career opportunities worldwide, graduates have found employment in a variety of industries including:

• offshore oil rigs
• construction sites
• consulting
• inspection
• sales
• theatres and staging

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you can apply to earn credit. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

COMM 1227 - Communications I
This course provides the student with an overview of the communication skills required by business and industry. Students will learn to apply these communication skills to be successful in their selected workplace setting.

MATH 1111 - Essential Math for Trades
This course is designed to take the anxiety out of the using math skills to perform routine tasks. Learners will become comfortable adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and measuring various kinds of numbers used in the Trades.

MIRG 7000 - Safety Orientation for Marine and Industrial Rigging
The learner is introduced to hazard assessment of a job site, the dangers related to working in confined spaces, trenching, and working at heights, as well as issues surrounding the transportation of dangerous goods. Regulatory requirements and individual responsibilities are discussed, and the learner is given the opportunity to operate a power elevated work platform and use a fall arrest system. Learners will be required to use power and hand tools safely.

MIRG 7079 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding for Rigging
This course will introduce the different aspects of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) including identification of consumables, joint preparation, destructive and non-destructive testing. Learners will be introduced to arc cutting processes as well as the operation of oxy-fuel cutting equipment.

MIRG 7080 - Fabrication
This course is designed to enable learners to fabricate rigging configurations using both fibre and wire rope.

MIRG 7103 - Work Experience
During this work experience, learners will work alongside experienced employees in their chosen workplace. Learners will gain experience in various aspects of the rigging and hoisting industry. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Participants will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience.

MIRG 7130 - Rigging Practical I
Using rigging hardware, learners will demonstrate knowledge of safe work practices as defined by industry standards. Emphasis will be given to working load limits, design factors, comparison of ropes, splicing techniques, and end fitting attachments. The importance of safe work practices in this area will be stressed. Emphasis will also be placed on regulatory requirements of lift gear inspection. Various samples of rigging hardware will be examined and inspected for possible defects. Decisions will be made on gear acceptance or rejection.

MIRG 7131 - Rigging Practical II
Using rigging hardware, learners will demonstrate knowledge of safe work practices as defined by industry standards. Emphasis will be given to working load limits, design factors, comparison of ropes, splicing techniques and end fitting attachments. The importance of safe work practices in this area will be stressed. Emphasis will also be placed on regulatory requirements of lift gear inspection. Various samples of rigging hardware will be examined and inspected for possible defects. Decisions will be made on gear acceptance or rejection.

MIRG 7132 - Rigging Theory
Learners will understand safe work practices as defined by industry standards. Emphasis will be given to working load limits, design factors, comparison of ropes, splicing techniques and end fitting attachments. Emphasis will also be placed on regulatory requirements of lift gear inspection. Various samples of rigging hardware will be examined and inspected for possible defects. Decisions will be made on gear acceptance or rejection.

MIRG 7136 - Basic Hydraulics
This thirty-hour course introduces the participants to hydraulics as it relates to industrial equipment. Topics covered in this course include basic hydraulic principles; identification of hydraulic components and functions; symbols and diagrams; safe work practices; cooling systems and basic maintenance.

MIRG 7137 - Trade Documentation
This applied course will introduce learners to the various types of trade documentation used in industry and how to apply them. Learners will be required to read and apply various trade documents including manufactures specifications, load limit charts, equipment directions and instructions to complete various tasks.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SAFE 1020 - Introduction to Confined Space
The learner is introduced to the basic requirements and procedures involved with confined spaces. The definition and associated hazards of confined space are discussed as well as methods of confined space rescue. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1021 - Introduction to Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1023 - Introduction to Lock-out Tag Out
Lock-out Tag Out introduces the learner to the hazards related to energized systems and procedures to ensure worker safety. Related legislation and risk management is discussed and the learner is exposed to the various types of lock-out devices. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1024 - Introduction to Respiratory Protection
The learner is introduced to the potential of atmospheric hazards in the workplace and the available personal protection and control methods to maintain a safe work environment. Discussion includes identification and testing for atmospheric hazards and workplace respiratory programs. The learner will be given the opportunity to select, use and maintain respiratory equipment. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.

SAFE 1025 - Certified Fall Arrest and Protection
This course provides participants with an understanding of the hazards associated with working from heights and compliance with Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (2013). Throughout the course, participants will gain experience in the donning of a harness, an overview and presentation of system components involved when working from heights and learn how to complete a fall calculation and emergency procedures.

SAFE 1250 - Trenching Hazard Awareness
This course provides an overview of trenching hazards, and outlines safe work practices and procedures associated with trenching.

SAFE 1270 - Transportation of Dangerous Goods
In this course learners develop an awareness of practices associated with the transportation of dangerous goods, with reference to federal and provincial regulations, key stakeholder responsibilities, and relevant documentation and labelling.