Professional rigging crew working on an industrial lift with crane slings
Industrial rigging — nationwide

Rigging services South Africa

Industrial rigging, machinery installation, equipment removal, and specialist lifts. Certified riggers with engineered lift plans. Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and beyond.

BrightRig Logistics provides industrial rigging services across South Africa, including machinery installation, equipment removal, factory relocation, and specialist lifts in confined spaces. Our certified rigging crews operate in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria. Every project includes an engineered lift plan, certified riggers, and compliance documentation under the OHS Act. free site assessment (Depending on location) for projects requiring detailed planning.

What is industrial rigging?

Industrial rigging is the process of safely lifting, moving, and positioning heavy equipment using cranes, slings, shackles, chain blocks, hydraulic jacks, and other specialised equipment. It's what happens when a factory installs a new production line, a power station replaces a transformer, or a manufacturer relocates from one building to another.

Professional rigging is different from just "hiring a crane." Rigging involves planning the entire operation: how the load attaches to the lifting equipment, what angles the slings sit at, where the crane needs to stand, what the ground can support, and how the load reaches its final position. A 10-ton machine that's 6 metres long and sits on the third floor of a factory requires a completely different approach than a 10-ton machine at ground level in an open yard.

In South Africa, all rigging operations must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Driven Machinery Regulations. BrightRig handles compliance as standard — you get documentation for your safety file on every job.

What rigging services does BrightRig provide?

Machinery installation

Positioning and levelling new equipment: CNC machines, presses, injection moulders, generators, compressors, and packaging lines. We coordinate with your equipment supplier and floor plan to get machines placed accurately and quickly, minimising production downtime.

Equipment removal

Disconnecting and removing old or decommissioned equipment. We handle the rigging, transport to ground level, and loading for disposal or relocation. Includes structural protection to prevent damage to the building during removal.

Factory relocation

Complete factory moves, phased to keep your production running. We've relocated manufacturing lines, packaging plants, and processing facilities. Project management, rigging, transport, and commissioning support. More on factory relocation →

Transformer and switchgear rigging

Installing and replacing power transformers, switchgear panels, and substations. We work with Eskom and municipal electrical departments on planned shutdowns and emergency replacements. Typical loads: 5–80 tons.

Marine and harbour rigging

Vessel engine lifts, mast stepping, quayside cargo handling, and dockside equipment installation at harbours across the coast. We operate at the V&A Waterfront, Table Bay Harbour, Durban harbour, and Port Elizabeth.

How does the rigging process work?

Every rigging project follows the same structured approach, whether it's a single machine move or a full factory relocation:

  1. Scope and site assessment. You tell us what needs to be moved, where it is, and where it's going. For complex jobs, we visit the site to assess floor loadings, access routes, overhead clearances, and crane standing positions. Site assessments are free.
  2. Rigging plan. We prepare a detailed method statement: load weight and centre of gravity, rigging configuration (sling type, angles, attachment points), crane selection and positioning, ground bearing capacity, exclusion zones, and emergency procedures. This document is your compliance record under the OHS Act.
  3. Execution. Our certified rigging crew arrives, sets up according to the lift plan, and executes the move. The crane operator and lead rigger coordinate throughout. Safety briefing before every lift.
  4. Documentation. You receive a completed lift record, including crane certificates, rigger qualifications, and the lift plan. Ready for your safety file and auditor.

How much do rigging services cost?

Rigging costs vary significantly based on what's being moved and the complexity of the job. Here's a rough guide to help you budget:

These are indicative ranges. Your actual quote depends on load specifics, site conditions, and crane requirements. Contact us with the details and we'll provide a quote within 48 hours.

Industries we serve

BrightRig provides rigging services to every industry that moves heavy things:

  • Manufacturing — CNC machine installation, production line relocation, press installation, packaging equipment moves, and plant maintenance shutdowns
  • Power and energy — transformer installation and replacement, generator placement, switchgear rigging, and renewable energy equipment (wind turbine components, battery storage systems)
  • Mining — surface plant installation, conveyor systems, crusher components, and processing equipment at mines across South Africa
  • Construction — steel erection, pre-cast panel lifting, HVAC installation, and tower crane assembly and disassembly
  • Marine — engine lifts, vessel maintenance, quayside equipment, and cargo handling at harbours in Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth
  • Commercial property — rooftop plant installation (chillers, AHUs, cooling towers), generator placement, and fit-out support for office buildings and shopping centres
  • Oil and gas — refinery turnarounds, pipe rack lifts, vessel changeouts, and maintenance at processing facilities

Where we operate

BrightRig provides rigging services across South Africa. Our rigging crews are based in Cape Town with operations covering Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria. We're one of the few rigging companies that provides genuine national coverage — one provider, one relationship, wherever your project is.

For multi-site operations, this matters. If you have factories in Cape Town and Johannesburg, you deal with one company, one set of safety standards, and one project manager. No duplication, no confusion.

What qualifications do riggers need in South Africa?

In South Africa, riggers must hold a valid rigger's certificate issued under the Driven Machinery Regulations (DMR). Crane operators require separate certification under the same regulations. Both must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act).

BrightRig's rigging crews are fully certified, with ongoing training in load calculations, sling inspection, communication procedures, and safety protocols. We carry copies of all certifications on site and provide them for your safety file.

Key regulations that apply to rigging operations in South Africa:

  • Driven Machinery Regulations (DMR) — governs crane operation and rigging qualifications
  • OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) — overall workplace safety framework, including requirement for lift plans
  • SANS 10208 — South African standard for the design of structures for safe use of mobile cranes
  • Construction Regulations (2014) — additional requirements for rigging on construction sites, including fall protection and exclusion zones

Rigging services — frequently asked questions

Industrial rigging is the process of safely lifting, moving, and positioning heavy equipment and machinery using cranes, slings, shackles, chain blocks, hydraulic jacks, and other specialised equipment. It covers everything from installing a new CNC machine to removing a 50-ton transformer. Professional rigging requires certified riggers, engineered lift plans, and compliance with the OHS Act.

Rigging costs depend on load weight, site conditions, equipment required, and project duration. Simple machinery moves start from around R5,000 per day. Complex multi-day projects involving heavy cranes are quoted on a project basis.

Riggers must hold a valid rigger's certificate under the Driven Machinery Regulations. Crane operators require separate certification. Both must comply with the OHS Act. BrightRig's crews are fully certified, with ongoing training in load calculations, sling inspection, and safety procedures.

A rigging plan documents how a lift will be carried out: load weight, crane position, rigging configuration, sling angles, ground conditions, exclusion zones, and emergency procedures. The OHS Act requires a documented lift plan for all crane lifts. BrightRig prepares one as standard — it's included in the quote.

Yes. We provide specialist indoor and confined-space rigging using mobile cranes, gantry systems, chain blocks, and hydraulic skates. For equipment that can't be craned, we use hydraulic jacking, roller skates, and sliding systems.

Need a rigging crew?

Tell us what you're moving, how much it weighs, and where it's going. We'll come back with a plan and a price within 48 hours.