What is the consequence of a decreased rigging angle?

A decreased rigging angle refers to the angle formed between the rigging sling and the horizontal plane as the load is being lifted. When this angle decreases, the force exerted on the slings increases, leading to increased tension within the slings. This is because the weight of the load is distributed over a smaller area, imposing more stress on the rigging equipment.

In terms of lifting capacity, if the tension in the slings increases significantly to the point where it exceeds the rated capacity of the slings, it can compromise the integrity of the rigging setup, potentially leading to failure. Consequently, the overall lifting capacity may also be reduced because the slings cannot safely handle the increased tension without risk of breakage or other safety failures.

Therefore, option C effectively captures that a decreased rigging angle results in increased tension and reduced lifting capacity, making it the most accurate consequence of this situation.