Training & Skills Development
Practical Rigging Instruction Built on Four Decades of Field Experience
A History of Practical Instruction
For over four decades, Frederick van Eden has been actively involved in the development and training of riggers across Southern Africa. From apprenticeship mentorship to structured industry instruction, his approach has always been rooted in practical experience, technical accuracy, and disciplined safety standards.
In 1991, he was appointed Training Officer at Iscor in Vanderbijlpark and served as the Iron and Steel representative on the South African Rigging Board. During this period, he developed structured training material for hydraulic mobile cranes at a time when no formal manuals existed for the new generation of equipment entering South Africa.
Training has never been separate from the work — it has formed part of it.
Industry Development & Mentorship
Over the years, structured instruction has been provided to apprentices, qualified riggers, and industry teams across South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, and other Southern African regions. Training has covered heavy lifting practices, hydraulic crane applications, engineered movement systems, and structured lift studies.
Several early apprentices trained under this program have gone on to establish and successfully manage their own businesses, continuing the transfer of practical knowledge within the industry.
Areas of Instruction
Hydraulic Mobile Crane Applications
Load chart interpretation, radius calculations, safe working limits, and structured lift planning.
Jacking & Sliding Systems
Controlled heavy load movement techniques using engineered mechanical systems.
Tandem Lifting Operations
Load sharing calculations, crane synchronization, communication protocols, and risk control.
Salvage & Recovery Operations
Buoyancy systems, winching coordination, underwater lifting principles, and recovery planning.
Lift Studies & Method Statements
Structured calculation processes to ensure accurate load control before execution.
Risk Assessment & Incident Prevention
Practical understanding of lifting failures, procedural errors, and corrective measures.
Published Technical Study Guides
The Rigging & Lifting Studies series was developed to introduce riggers to modern hydraulic crane technology and advanced lifting methods. These manuals have been used locally and internationally as structured study references.
Volume 3, currently in development, expands into jacking systems, gantry systems, self-propelled modular transport, and modern crane methodologies introduced over the past two decades.
Incident Investigation & Safety Insight
Frederick van Eden has been requested to investigate serious lifting incidents, including fatal accidents, and to provide formal written reports identifying root causes, load miscalculations, and procedural failures.
This depth of investigative experience strengthens the training provided — ensuring that lessons are grounded in real-world consequence and corrective practice.
Experience is not theoretical. It is earned through responsibility.
Field-Based Learning
Where required, training extends beyond classroom instruction. Exposure to equipment, live-site procedures, and structured lift planning forms part of the development process.
The objective is not certification alone — but competence in real-world conditions.
Training Available by Enquiry
While Rigger Force operates primarily as a specialized rigging and heavy lifting service provider, structured training and mentorship remain available upon enquiry.
Organizations seeking technical guidance or practical instruction are invited to make direct contact to discuss requirements.