Best iPhone Notes App for Riggers

Rigging is the engineering that happens before the crane picks the load. A rigger who understands load geometry, sling capacity reduction factors, and attachment point integrity is the difference between a successful critical lift and a catastrophic failure. That expertise is built from experience — and it compounds when it's written down.

What Riggers Need to Capture

Rigging gear inspection notes. Regular inspection of wire rope slings, chain slings, synthetic web slings, shackles, and hooks — condition observations, rejection criteria checks, service history. These personal notes supplement your formal inspection records.

Lift-specific planning notes. For complex or critical picks, your working calculations and planning observations before the formal lift plan is generated. Load weight estimates, center of gravity analysis, sling angle calculations.

Site-specific rigging intelligence. The attachment points on the heat exchanger at Plant A that have a published rigging capacity. The structural steel at Site B where the crane hook must approach from the north to clear the roof overhang. These site-specific facts, learned on the job, need to be written down.

Rigging anomaly observations. During a pick you observe the load shifting slightly as it clears the ground — possible CG error. You correct, the pick completes safely, but that CG issue needs to be in your notes for the next pick of the same type of equipment.

How Nemos Works for Riggers

Rigging Gear Inspection Notes

``` ## Rigging Gear Log — personal inspection notes Date last updated: 2025-03-15.

Sling Inventory WR-001 (1" wire rope, 20 ft): inspected 2025-03-10. Condition: good. Two broken wires at ferrule end — within 10% of rope lay limit. Monitor. WR-002 (1" wire rope, 10 ft): inspected 2025-03-10. Condition: good. CH-001 (1" grade 80 chain, 12 ft): inspected 2025-03-10. Condition: excellent. SYN-003 (2" synthetic web, 6 ft): REJECTED 2025-03-05. Abrasion to core visible. Removed from service, destroyed. Replacement: SYN-004 received 2025-03-12.

Shackles SH-001 (1" screw pin, 8.5t SWL): inspected 2025-03-10. Good. Pin threads OK. SH-002 (3/4" screw pin, 4.75t SWL): inspected 2025-03-10. Good. ```

Lift Planning Notes

For a complex pick:

"Pick planning — reactor vessel V-4201, Plant A (2025-03-15): Load weight: 28 tons (confirmed with rigging drawing and weight certificate). CG: per drawing, 4 ft above bottom tangent line, centered longitudinally. Rigging: 4-leg chain sling, 60° included angle per drawing. SWL at 60°: 0.866 × rated capacity. 4-leg at 60°: rated 40t → effective 34.6t. Load 28t / effective 34.6t = 81% — critical lift threshold. Formal lift plan required. Attachment: 4 lugs per rigging drawing RD-4201, SWL 12t each."

Site Rigging Intelligence

"Plant A — rigging notes: Heat exchanger E-4401: rigging lugs rated 8t each per manufacturer plate. Do NOT use shell nozzles — not rated for rigging. Crane approach: Crane 1 (160t crawler) must enter from Gate 7 — only path with overhead clearance for 150-ft boom. Blocking: no blocking on concrete in Zone 4 without facilities manager sign-off (sensitive utilities below)."

Safety Standards

Rigging falls under ASME B30.9 (slings), B30.26 (rigging hardware), and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251. Formal inspection records for lifting equipment must comply with manufacturer requirements and applicable regulations. Personal notes are your working layer.

FAQ

Q: How do I handle a sling that's close to rejection criteria? A: Document the specific observation: "WR-001: 8 broken wires in one rope lay length (rejection threshold: 10 for this configuration). 80% of limit — do NOT use on picks over 50% of rated capacity. Reinspect in 2 weeks or reject."

Q: Can I use Nemos for formal rigging inspection records? A: Formal rigging inspection records (required per OSHA and manufacturer requirements) must be in your company's official system. Personal notes are your working reference and supplement the official record.

Q: What about notes during a pick in progress? A: Focus entirely on the pick during active rigging operations. Notes are for before the pick (planning) and after (observations). Your full attention must be on the load and crane operator during the pick.

Related Reading

• /blog/crane-operator-notes-iphone
• /blog/ironworker-notes-iphone
• /blog/construction-superintendent-notes-iphone
• /blog/industrial-mechanic-notes-iphone

Sources

• ASME B30.9 Slings standard
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 rigging equipment for material handling
• Crosby Group rigging reference guides