Keith Anderson 1953–2023

We regret to report the death of Keith Anderson, former chief rigging engineer at Bechtel.

Anderson was well known as a world authority on safe rigging practices. His books Rigging Engineering Basics and Rigging Engineering Calculations are practical guides widely considered “industry bibles”.

As a special contributor to International Cranes and Specialized Transport magazine, his technical articles are consistently among the most-read, even years after they were published.

Born in Newcastle, UK, Keith graduated in 1975 with a BSc in mechanical engineering from Lanchester Polytechnic, now Coventry University, in the English Midlands. He spent time designing hydraulic braking systems before joining the world of lifting in 1979 with Kramo Montage, a specialist in hydraulic jack climbing systems for heavy lifting.

Over the next 12 years he worked his way up to chief engineer, a title he also held in his next job, at Van Seumeren, now Mammoet, where he stayed until 1996. His next move was to Sarens, working with heavy haulage for two years, before returning to Van Seumeren, this time in the Netherlands.

The year 2000 saw a move to Bechtel and a year later to the USA where he stayed until retirement in 2020 whereupon he returned to the UK. At Bechtel he was chief rigging engineer. He was a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in the UK.

In Keith’s own words he was, “On a mission to put rigging engineering on a more professional footing, to pass on the knowledge and skills I have, to improve standards of lift planning and execution and thereby safety in this discipline.”

Keith Anderson died in August from colon cancer. ICST sends its sincere condolences to Keith’s wife and family.