Address:
Unit 12, Edmiston Trade Park, 240 Edmiston Drive, Glasgow, G51 2YU, UK
Email:
info@ contact.aerialedge.co.uk
Phone:
(+44) 07414 438 501 (Text messages only before 5pm)
Courses
Rigging training
Rigging Training
Aerial Edge provides rigging training in several different ways. Check our newsletter to get the dates when these classes and workshops run. You could also ask Mark if you see him in the space, or email mark@aerialedge.co.uk
For our students:
- 1-hour Introduction to Class Rigging and Safety - This one-hour free session is for students who want to learn more about safety and how to operate rigging equipment in a class. We run these sessions occasionally on a weekday evening.
- Show Rigging/Tech for our Volunteers – those who want to gain experience of operating rigging, lighting or sound for a performance get to join the crew for one of our shows for live, on-the-job training.
For teachers and performers
- 3-hour Introduction to Circus Rigging for Teachers and Performers – This is three-hour workshop is run on weekends for performers and anyone who rigs equipment in studios, schools etc to learn the basics of rigging for static aerial disciplines, in order to ensure their own safety and that of others. Also suitable for people who want to rig equipment at home.
For those who need to rig for themselves and others:
- 2-day Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 1
- Load Calculations
- Rigging circus equipment
- Connectors & slings
- Ropes, knots & pulley systems
- Access methods & working at height
- 2-day Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 2
- Erecting Structures
- Setting up rigging points & floor anchors
- Flying people
- Health & Safety documentation
- Rescue of riggers and students from height
- Rigging for Circus Arts (Theory) An online course available through Circus Rigging & Safety.
Booking
This following courses will run from 10am to 5pm on the following dates:
- Rigging for Circus Arts Part 1 - March 15th & 16th 2025 - £330
- Rigging for Circus Arts Part 2 - April 12th & 13th 2025 - £330
Course Descriptions
Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 1
Aerial Edge’s 2-day Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 1 course gives attendees hands-on experience in many of the unique aspects of circus rigging. It covers the theory and practice of rigging circus equipment. The course also covers applicable regulations and methods of best practice for safe rigging for circus arts.
Target Audience
The course is aimed at anyone who would like to gain an in depth understanding of the principles of circus rigging and gain hands-on practical experience in rigging for different circus arts and types of performance.
Programme Aim
This course gives attendees the chance to learn about the different aspects of circus rigging and to gain hands on experience in applying this knowledge. Attendees will understand how to keep themselves safe during rigging operations as well as learn how to safely choose and rig the right equipment for the right circumstances.
This course is not a qualification entitling attendees to perform rigging activities without the addition of significant practical experience with an experienced organisation or individual.
Programme Learning Outcomes
- Understand static and dynamic loads and how to choose the right equipment to safely support performers
- Understand safe working practice for rigging operations.
- Understand the regulations and practice regarding Personal Protective Equipment and working at height
- Be able to maintain rigging ,PPE and circus equipment
- Understand best practice in maintaining documentation for the maintenance of equipment, understanding risk assessments and method statements for teaching, performance and working at height.
Details of Programme Structure
Each day will consist of theory and practice sessions:
Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 1
- Day 1 am: Introduction, Legislation, Load calculations
- Day 1 pm: Rigging circus equipment, Equipment inspection
- Day 2 am: Rope, knots & pulley systems, Risk Assessments
- Day 2 pm: Access methods & Working at Height
Assessment
Students will be required to pass a practical rigging exercises while demonstrating safe practice throughout. A theory exam will be given to ensure the technical aspects of the course have been understood.
Assessment Approaches Used
The practical assessment is designed to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the main components of the course and to demonstrate safe practice while doing so. The theoretical assessment will ensure the technical and safety content of the course has been understood, this will be through a question paper.
Agenda
DAY 1 AM
Overview of Rigging
- History
- Types of rigging
- Oil Industry
- Entertainment Industry
- Theatre
- Arborists
- Climbing
- Circus
- Scope of course
- Agenda
- What this qualifies you for
- What comes after
- Types of courses available
- Legal requirements
- HASWA
- W@H
- LOLER/PUWER
- Standards
Dynamic & Static Loads
- Understanding Load
- Practical demonstration with load cells
- Static Loads
- Dynamic Loads
- Factors of safety
- Introduction to Circus Equipment
- SWL related to equipment
- Static Equipment - Rope, silks, hoop trapeze
- Dynamic Equipment - Swinging trapeze, Flying trapeze
- Wire & rope equipment - Tightwire, High wire, slack line
- Acrobatic loads by equipment
- Understanding the acrobatics performed on each equipment
- Methods used to test loads
- Current understanding of loads
- Establishing safe rigging points
Day 1 PM
Rigging Circus Equipment
- PPE vs LOLER
- Equipment
- Round Slings
- Climbing slings
- Shackles & Connectors
- Carabiners
- SWR slings
- Equipment
- Markings
- Use
- Maintaining & inspecting equipment
- Designing safe rigging systems
- Bridles
Practical test - Installing a trapeze, silks and hoop
- Select the correct equipment and connect it at head height or below
DAY 2 AM
Ropes
- Types of Rope
- Natural Fibres
- Man made fibres
- Construction
- Characteristics & uses of types of rope
- Safe practice
- Inspection & maintenance
Knots - Theory & practice
- Figure of 8
- Clove hitch
- Rolling Hitch
- Bowline
- Alpine knot
- Sheet bend, Double sheet bend
- Round turn & 2 half hitches
- Poachers knot
Practical - Tying and using knots
DAY 2 PM
Working at Height
- Regulations
- Practice for circus
- Considerations for artists
- Access
- Duration of wait time in situ
Access methods
- Ladders
- PUWER
- Rope supported access
- Rope access
Practical exercises in access
- Rope Supported access
- Access
- Install rope system
- Rope access
- Ascend rope
- Safe position
- Descend
Theory Test
Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 2
Aerial Edge’s 2-day Rigging for Circus Arts Course - Part 2 course gives attendees hands-on experience in many of the unique aspects of circus rigging. It covers the theory and practice of setting up structures and safe rigging points and flying people in performances. The course also covers applicable regulations and methods of best practice for safe rigging for circus arts.
Target Audience
The course is aimed at anyone who would like to gain an in depth understanding of the principles of circus rigging and gain hands-on practical experience in rigging for different circus arts and types of performance.
Programme Aim
This course gives attendees the chance to learn about the different aspects of circus rigging and to gain hands on experience in applying this knowledge. Attendees will understand how to keep themselves safe during rigging operations, learn how to safely choose and rig the right equipment for the right circumstance, learn how to design and erect basic structures to support circus performers and learn the basics of how to safely fly people.
This course is not a qualification entitling attendees to perform rigging activities without the addition of significant practical experience with an experienced organisation or individual.
Programme Learning Outcomes
- Understand safe working practice for rigging operations.
- Know how to erect basic support structures for circus equipment and performers
- Understand the need, the construction and the execution of rescue plans
- Understand different methods of supporting the movements of performers in flying techniques
- Understand best practice in the creation of risk assessments and method statements for rigging operations.
Details of Programme Structure
Each day will consist of theory and practice sessions:
Rigging for Circus Arts - Part 2
- Day 1 am: Erecting structures,
- Day 1 pm: Flying people
- Day 2 am: Rescue of riggers from height
- Day 2 pm: Health & Safety Documentation, SWR
Assessment
Students will be required to pass a practical rigging exercise while demonstrating safe practice throughout. A theory exam will be given to ensure the technical aspects of the course have been understood.
Assessment Approaches Used
The practical assessment is designed to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the main components of the course and to demonstrate safe practice while doing so. The theoretical assessment will ensure the technical and safety content of the course has been understood, this will be through a question paper.
Agenda
Day 1 AM
Erecting structures
- Portable rigs
- Truss
- Truss Construction techniques
- Truss Erection methods
Practical - Erect a goal post rig
Day 1 PM
Flying people
- Harness flying
- Counterweight flying
- Safety lines
- Bungee harness
Practical - Install a counterweight harness system
Day 2 AM
Rescue from height
- Rescuing Aerialists
- Rescuing Riggers
Practical - Rescue riggers from height
Day 2 PM
Overview of Lifting systems
- Pulley systems
- Chain hoists
- Tirfors
- Motors
Steel Wire Rope
- Types of SWR
- Terminations
- Splicing SWR
- Inspection & maintenance
Practical - splicing & terminating SWR
Health & Safety Documentation
- Asset Registers
- Inspection
- Risk Assessments
- Method statements
Course Specific Safety Statement
Aerial Edge ensures that all participants and staff are provided with a safe working environment and considers the safety of all concerned to be its highest priority. All teaching and performance activities have risk assessments carried out relating to the specific activities and venue. Method statements created for all activities, staff are trained in safe teaching practice and safe operation of all equipment.
Sources of information:
- HASWA (Health and Safety at work Act 1974)
- WAH (Working at Height Regulation 2005)
- LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations)
- LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association)
- PUWER (Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations)
- ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) Lifting fundamentals
- IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association)
- CRAS (Circus Rigging & Safety)
- Equipment manufacturers documentation
contact
Let's talk
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Directions
Our front door is accessed via the Ibrox roundabout (walk up the ramp and open the door). Access to the carpark is available before 6pm from Edmiston Drive. Street parking is available in the area. Check out the video guide below.
