Hand Signals for

Crane Operations
Hand Signals
 Mobile Crane Communications
1. ANSI B30.5 Hand Signals
2. Standard Hand Signals
Who ever is in charge of any crane or hoist operations
using any crane or hoist must ensure that a competent,
qualified signal person is assigned to work with the
crane for as long as it is working within their area of
responsibility.
 Standard Hand Signals
 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 boom’s 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.
 Signal Person Requirements
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 with the

crane and lifting operation.

 Responsible for the public and all (unauthorized

personnel outside of the crane’s 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.
 Crane Operation Procedures
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 operator’s 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.
 ANSI B30.5 - Hand Signals
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.
 Two-Way Radio Communication

 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.
 ANSI B30.5 – Hand Signal Chart

Hand signals
shall be post
on the
equipment or
conspicuously
at the jobsite.
 Hand Signals
Signalperson: Signals shall be Discernible or
audible at all times. No response shall be made
unless signals are clearly understood.
 Hand Signals - Hoist
Hoist/Raise the Load: With the forearm vertical,
forefinger pointing up, move hand in small
horizontal circle.
 Hand Signals - Lower
Lower: With the
arm extended
downward,
forefinger pointing
down move hand
in small horizontal
circle
 Hand Signals – Main Hoist
Use Main Hoist: Tap fist on top of head then use
regular signals.
 Hand Signals – Whip-line
Use Whip-Line: (Auxiliary Hoist) Tap elbow with
one hand, then use regular signals.
 Hand Signals – Raise Boom
Raise Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with
thumb pointing upward.
 Hand Signals – Lower Boom
Lower Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with
thumb pointing downward.
 Hand Signals – Move Slowly
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 – Raise Boom &
Lower the Load
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 – Lower the Boom
& Raise 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 - Swing
Swing: Arm extended, point with finger in
direction of swing of boom.
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Stop
Stop: Arm extended, palm down, move arm
back and forth horizontally.
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals – Emergency Stop

Emergency Stop: Both arms extended, palms

down, move arms back and forth horizontally.
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Travel
Travel: Arm extended forward hand open and
slightly raised make a pushing motion in direction
of travel
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals Dog Everything

Dog Everything: Clasp hands in front of body.

Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals – Travel Both Tracks
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)
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals – Travel One Track

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)
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals – Extend Boom
Extend Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
front of body with thumbs pointing outward.
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals – Retract Boom

Retract Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in

front of body with thumbs pointing towards each
other.
 Hand Signals – Extend Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP
One Hand
Extend Boom – One Hand Signal: (Hydraulic
cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb
tapping on chest.
 Hand Signals – Retract Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP
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 – Special
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals
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.
Safety Consulting, SOP
Audible Travel 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
 Hand Signals – Special
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand 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.
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
1. Identify this hand signal?

A. Travel One Track

B. Travel Both Tracks

C. Dog Everything

D. Stop
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
2. Identify this hand signal?

A. Stop

B. Move Slowly

C. Dog Everything

D. Emergency Stop
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
3. Identify this hand signal?

A. Extend Boom

B. Raise Boom

C. Retract Boom

D. Travel To Me
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
4. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom Lower

Load

B. Raise Boom Slowly

C. Lower The Boom And

Raise The Load

D. None Of The Above

Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
5. Identify this hand signal?

A. Travel Forward

B. Travel One Track

C. Travel Both Tracks

D. None Of The Above

Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
6. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom

B. Extend Boom

C. Retract Boom

D. None Of The Above

Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
7. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom
Slowly

B. Hoist Slowly

C. Swing Slowly

D. None Of The
Above
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
9. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom
Slowly

B. Use Main
Hoist

C. Use Auxiliary
Hoist

D. Dog
Everything
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
10. Identify this hand signal?

A. Use Auxiliary
Hoist

B. Swing Left

C. Travel One
Track

D. Dog
Everything
Safety Consulting, SOP
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

Safety Consulting, SOP
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
Questions?
Test Time!!

Construction Safety & Risk Consulting