How should you store and count rigging gear to prevent loss or damage?

• A. Keep gear dry, clean, and organized; store by type and size; count before and after lifts; tag out damaged items and replace promptly
• B. Store gear in a disorganized pile
• C. Use gear in random order without tagging damaged items
• D. Never tag out damaged items; reuse damaged gear

Answer: (A)

Storing and counting rigging gear correctly ensures equipment is safe, traceable, and ready for use. Keeping gear dry, clean, and organized prevents corrosion, dirt buildup, and damage; storing by type and size makes inspection straightforward and helps you grab the right item for the lift. Counting before and after lifts provides accountability and helps spot missing items or misplacements, so nothing is left behind or lost. Tagging out damaged items and replacing promptly stops compromised gear from being used, reducing the risk of failure during operation. Taken together, these practices maintain gear condition and availability. Using gear from a disorganized pile or in random order without tagging damaged items invites loss and unidentifiable wear; reusing damaged gear and failing to tag it creates a direct safety hazard and violates safe operating procedures.