If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions
Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.
If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category
Please identify country, region, county or town
Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.
Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/
People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).
People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.
People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.
People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.
People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.
Training and recruitment issues: This is a huge problem for the craft, there are no qualifications and very few young people entering the trade.
Lack of awareness: Very few people are aware of rigging as a career pathway.
Market issues: There is potentially enough work to go around, although most companies offering rigging will offer a wide range of services including contemporary rigging work, rope work for other applications and film and TV work.
Supply of raw materials, allied materials and tools: This is an increasingly pressing issue for rigging. Materials such as galvanised wire, Stockholm tar and hemp cordage are all becoming more difficult to source.
The craft also relies on specialist equipment that is no longer made. Crafts people are relying on antique tools, repurposing modern tools or importing costly tools from the US.
Small business issues: One of the main issues is the high cost of insurance due to high risk activities including climbing, working at height, working at sea etc.
Ageing workforce: Most professional riggers are over the age of 50.
Legislative issues: Health & Safety is a very important issue for riggers and does carry necessary costs and regulation around the use of harnesses, rope access equipment, buoyancy aids as well as the high costs involved with the preparation of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
Global and geopolitical issues: The import of materials and components has become much more difficult following Brexit. Visa for working in Europe and further afield can also be a problem when working on projects overseas.
e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.
If yes, please describe the issues below
e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.
Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools
i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts
Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?
e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.
e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict
Please describe any other issues
Please describe any UK projects or schemes
Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.
It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.
e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.
e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.
This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.
e.g. books, websites etc.
Enter the destination URL
Or link to existing content
