What is the purpose of a tag line?

• A. To secure the load against sway only during transport
• B. To prevent object from drifting in wind
• C. To start or stop a load's horizontal rotation
• D. To control vertical lifting

Answer: (C)

Tag lines are used to control how a load spins horizontally while it’s being lifted or moved. When a crane lifts a load, it can start to rotate or swing about the vertical axis due to balance, rigging geometry, or wind. By pulling on a tag line from the ground, the rigging team can start or stop that rotation, steer the load to align with lifting points, and guide it into the desired position. This makes the lift safer and more predictable. Vertical lifting is handled by the hoist and slings, not by tag lines, and while tag lines can influence sway, their primary purpose is to manage the load’s horizontal rotation.