Which safety equipment is essential for a rigger to wear?

The essential safety equipment for a rigger to wear includes a hard hat, gloves, steel-toed boots, and eye protection. Each of these items plays a critical role in protecting the rigger from various hazards they might encounter on the job.

A hard hat is crucial for protecting the head from falling objects, which is a common risk in environments where lifting and rigging operations occur. Gloves are important for enhancing grip and protecting hands from cuts, abrasion, and other injury risks associated with handling rigging equipment. Steel-toed boots provide foot protection against heavy loads that could be dropped or rolled over, reducing the risk of serious foot injuries. Eye protection is necessary to shield the eyes from flying debris, sparks, or other dangers present in construction and rigging sites.

Other options mention some safety equipment but lack the comprehensive protection needed for a rigger's safety. For instance, gloves and boots alone do not provide head or eye protection. Wearing a reflective vest and soft-soled shoes is insufficient in terms of overall protection. Lastly, a harness and safety lanyard do offer fall protection, but they do not address other potential hazards that riggers face on the job site. Therefore, the combination detailed in the correct answer provides a balanced approach to