Hand Signals For Crane Operations

Construction Safety & Risk Consulting
Hand Signals
Safety Consulting, SOP
1. ANSI B30.5 Hand Signals
2. Standard Hand Signals
Who ever is in charge of any crane or hoist operations
(Contractor, Forman, Superintendent) using any crane or
hoist must ensure that a fully competent, qualified and
experienced signal person is assigned to work with the
crane for as long as it is working within their area of
responsibility.

Mobile Crane Communications
The code of federal regulations OSHA CFR Part 1926.550
and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI
B30.5) Mobile Crane, Crawler And Locomotive Crane
Standards requires that a signalperson be present at all
times whenever:

1. The crane is working within a booms length of power
lines.

2. The operator cannot clearly see the load block/hook
and the load at all times.

3. The crane is being backed up or moved and the
operator cannot see all parts of the crane and its
intended path of travel.
Standard Hand Signals
The signalperson assigned to the crane shall:

Be positioned in full view of the operator and if
using hand signals close enough for the signals
to be seen clearly. The signal persons position
must give him/her a full view of the load and
equipment at all times without creating a hazard
of being struck by the crane and/or load.

The signalperson must be qualified and
experienced with the crane and lifting operation.

Responsible for the public and all (unauthorized
personnel outside of the cranes operating
radius).

Direct the load so that it never passes over
anyone.
Signal Person Requirements
Be in constant communication with the
operator at all times with either the standard
hand signals as required in accordance with
ANSI B30.5 or by direct radio communication.

Hand signals should only be used when the
distance between the operator and the
signalperson is not great and atmospheric
conditions allow for clear visibility.

It is recommended that the signalperson wear
highly visible gloves (day-glow orange, yellow
or white) to distinguish him/herself from other
personnel and make the signals clearer

Signal Person Requirements
Crane operator practices:

The crane operator Shall Not engage in any
practices that will divert attention while
actually engaged in operating the crane.

The operator Shall Not engage in the operation
of the equipment when physically or mentally
unfit.

The operator Shall respond to signals given by
a designated signalperson only.

The operator Shall obey a stop/emergency stop
signal at any time, no matter who gives it,

Crane Operation Procedures
Crane operator practices:

The crane operator Shall be responsible for
those operations under the operators direct
control.

Whenever there is any doubt as to the safety,
the operator Shall have the authority to stop
and refuse to handle loads until safety has
been assured.

If it is desired to give instructions to the
operator, other than those provided by the
established signal system, the crane operator
Shall Stop all crane motions.
Crane Operation Procedures
ANSI B30.5 Standard Hand Signals:
Standard hand signals to the operator shall be
in accordance with the standards that are
prescribed in ANSI B30.5-3.3.2, unless voice
communication equipment (telephone, radio, or
equivalent) are utilized.
Signals shall be Discernible or audible at all
times. No response shall be made unless
signals are clearly understood.
ANSI B30.5 - Hand Signals
It is strongly recommended that 2-way radios
be used on all craning operations where the
signaling is required. There are far too many
accidents that result from misunderstood or
misinterpreted hand signals and all could have
been avoided by using voice communication.

The signalperson must constantly talk to the
operator at all times during loading operations.
If for any reason the signalperson stops talking
the operator must stop the operation.
Adequate lighting arrangements and radio
communications must be provided for all night
operations.

Two-Way Radio Communication
Hand signals
shall be post
on the
equipment or
conspicuously
at the jobsite.

ANSI B30.5 Hand Signal Chart
Signalperson: Signals shall be Discernible or
audible at all times. No response shall be made
unless signals are clearly understood.
Hand Signals
Hoist: With the forearm vertical, forefinger
pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circle.
Hand Signals - Hoist
Lower: With the arm extended downward,
forefinger pointing down move hand in small
horizontal circle
Hand Signals - Lower
Use Main Hoist: Tap fist on top of head then use
regular signals.
Hand Signals Main Hoist
Use Whip-Line: (Auxiliary Hoist) Tap elbow with
one hand, then use regular signals.
Hand Signals Whip-line
Raise Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with
thumb pointing upward.
Hand Signals Raise Boom
Lower Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with
thumb pointing downward.
Hand Signals Lower Boom
Move Slowly: Use one hand to give any motion
signal and place the other hand motionless in
front of hand giving the motion signal (Hoist
slowly shown as example).
Hand Signals Move Slowly
Raise the Boom & Lower the Load: With arm
extended, thumb pointing up, flex fingers in and
out as long as load movement is desired.
Hand Signals Raise Boom
& Lower the Load
Lower the Boom & Raise the Load: With arm
extended, thumb pointing down, flex fingers in and
out as long as load movement is desired.
Hand Signals Lower the Boom
& Raise the Load
Swing: Arm extended, point with finger in
direction of swing of boom.
Hand Signals - Swing
Stop: Arm extended, palm down, move arm
back and forth horizontally.
Hand Signals - Stop
Emergency Stop: Both arms extended, palms
down, move arms back and forth horizontally.
Hand Signals Emergency Stop
Travel: Arm extended forward hand open and
slightly raised make a pushing motion in direction
of travel
Hand Signals - Travel
Dog Everything: Clasp hands in front of body.
Hand Signals Dog Everything
Travel Both Tracks: Use both fists in front of
body, making a circular motion about each other,
indicating direction of travel, forward or
backward. (For land cranes only)
Hand Signals Travel Both Tracks
Travel One Track: Lock the track on side
indicated by raising fist. Travel opposite direction
indicated by circular motion of other fist, rotated
vertically in front of body. (For land cranes only)
Hand Signals Travel One Track
Extend Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
front of body with thumbs pointing outward.
Hand Signals Extend Boom
Retract Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
front of body with thumbs pointing towards each
other.
Hand Signals Retract Boom
Extend Boom One Hand Signal: (Hydraulic
cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb
tapping on chest.
Hand Signals Extend Boom
One Hand
Retract Boom One Hand Signal: (Hydraulic
cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb
pointing outward and heel of fist tapping on chest.
Hand Signals Retract Boom
One Hand
ANSI B30.5-3.3.3 Special Signals:
For operations not covered by ANSI B30.5-
3.3.2, or for special conditions that occur
from time to time, additions to or
modifications of the standard signals may be
required. In all such cases, these special
signals shall be agreed upon in advance by
both the operator and the signalperson, and
should not be in conflict with the standard
signals.
Hand Signals Special
Hand Signals
ANSI B30.5-3.3.4 Audible Travel Signals:

1. When moving the vehicle, the following
signals shall be used;

A. STOP
One Audible Signal

B. GO AHEAD
Two Audible Signals

C. BACK-UP
Three Audible Signals
Audible Travel Signals
ANSI B30.5-3.3.5 Instructions:

If it is desired to give instructions to the
crane operator, other than those provided by
the established signal system, the crane
motions shall be stopped.
Hand Signals Special
Hand Signals
1. Identify this hand signal?
A. Travel One Track

B. Travel Both Tracks

C. Dog Everything

D. Stop
Hand Signals - Test
A. Stop

B. Move Slowly

C. Dog Everything

D. Emergency Stop
Hand Signals - Test
A. Extend Boom

B. Raise Boom

C. Retract Boom

D. Travel To Me
Hand Signals - Test
A. Raise Boom Lower
Load

B. Raise Boom Slowly

C. Lower The Boom And
Raise The Load

D. None Of The Above
Hand Signals - Test
A. Travel Forward

B. Travel One Track

C. Travel Both Tracks

Hand Signals - Test
A. Raise Boom

B. Extend Boom

C. Retract Boom

Hand Signals - Test
A. Raise Boom
Slowly

B. Hoist Slowly

C. Swing Slowly

D. None Of The
Above
Hand Signals - Test
A. Raise Boom
Slowly

B. Use Main
Hoist

C. Use Auxiliary
Hoist

D. Dog
Everything
Hand Signals - Test
A. Use Auxiliary
Hoist

B. Swing Left

C. Travel One
Track

D. Dog
Everything
Hand Signals - Test
11. The operator will only respond to
signals only from:?
A. Designated
Signalperson

B. Qualified
Signalperson

C. Experienced
Signalperson

D. All Of The Above
Hand Signals - Test
12. All mobile cranes must meet or
exceed what ANSI crane
standard for personnel lifting?
A. ANSI B30.2

B. ANSI B30.8

C. ANSI B30.5

D. None Of The
Above
Hand Signals - Test

Construction Safety & Risk Consulting

Hand Signals For Crane Operations

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