What is the main purpose of a tagline in rigging?

The main purpose of a tagline in rigging is to control the load during movement and to prevent it from swinging. When lifting loads, especially heavy ones, stability is crucial to ensure safety and precision. A tagline provides a means for riggers to guide and stabilize the load as it is moved, reducing the risk of it swinging or rotating unexpectedly. This helps maintain control over the load during transport, making operations safer and more efficient. By using a tagline, riggers can influence the direction the load is facing and minimize the potential for accidents related to uncontrolled movement.

While balancing the load is essential for safe lifting, this function is primarily supported by the rigging equipment itself, such as slings and hoists, rather than the tagline. Connecting multiple slings serves a different purpose, specifically in load distribution, and marking the lifting area relates more to safety protocols than to the specific function of the tagline.