What safety gear is essential for riggers during a lift?

The essential safety gear for riggers during a lift includes a hard hat and safety boots. A hard hat provides crucial head protection from potential falling objects or bumps, which is vital in environments where lifting operations take place. This type of headgear is designed to absorb shock and protect the wearer from injury. Safety boots, often reinforced with steel toes, provide foot protection against heavy loads, sharp objects, and slips, significantly reducing the risk of foot injuries during rigging and lifting tasks. The combined use of these items ensures that riggers maintain a higher level of safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents while working in potentially hazardous conditions.

The other options, while they might have some utility in specific contexts, do not provide the essential protective measures necessary for riggers involved in lifting operations. Flashlights and gloves may aid in visibility and grip but do not offer protection against the direct hazards encountered during a lift. A utility knife and ladder are tools that assist in tasks but do not protect the worker. Protective eyewear and earplugs are important in certain scenarios, especially in noisy environments or when debris is present, but they do not address the most critical risks associated with lifting operations as directly as hard hats and safety boots do.