In the bustling world of construction and heavy lifting, effective communication is paramount. Understanding signals for crane operations is essential for ensuring safety and efficiency on the job site. This guide delves into the various hand signals and verbal commands used by crane operators and ground crew, highlighting their significance in preventing accidents and ensuring smooth workflow.
Readers can expect to learn the standardized signals recognized across the industry, as well as best practices for implementing these signals in real-world scenarios. We will explore the roles of both operators and signalers, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and clear communication. By mastering these signals, you will enhance safety and productivity in crane operations.
Crane Hand Signals to Know for a Safe Construction Site
Cranes are the most effective way to move heavy loads on a construction site, and proper use of crane hand signals is a vital part of safe operation. After learning basic crane hand signals, a signal person is able to safely direct a crane operator to raise and lower the boom, hoist and lower the load, or move the load horizontally — and, of course, to stop the crane in case of emergency.
Importantly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that anyone designated as a signal person must meet certain qualifications and be evaluated by a qualified individual. These regulations and a commitment to standardized signals have helped reshape the landscape of crane safety, with crane-related deaths falling to their lowest recorded level in 2017 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Below, we have a visual guide to basic crane hand signals, including a few signals that are particular to telescopic, crawler, and tower cranes. In any case, crane hand signals are an essential part of operating a crane whether using a small carry deck crane or a larger all-terrain crane—these signals are even used with the largest cranes in the world. Some crane rentals also include operators and a signal person in the cost.
Understanding Crane Hand Signals
Crane hand signals are crucial for ensuring safety on construction sites. They allow for clear communication between the signal person and the crane operator, especially in noisy environments where verbal communication may be ineffective. The use of standardized signals helps prevent accidents and injuries.
Technical Features of Crane Hand Signals
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Visibility | Signals must be clearly visible to the crane operator at all times. |
| Standardization | Hand signals are standardized to ensure consistency across different sites. |
| Communication | Continuous communication is required between the signal person and operator. |
| Emergency Protocol | Specific signals are designated for emergencies to halt operations immediately. |
| Training | Signal persons must be trained and evaluated to ensure they understand signals. |
Types of Cranes and Their Hand Signals
| Type of Crane | Common Hand Signals |
|---|---|
| Mobile Cranes | Hoist, Lower, Boom Up, Boom Down, Travel, Emergency Stop. |
| Tower Cranes | Hoist, Lower, Trolley Travel, Emergency Stop. |
| Crawler Cranes | Travel (Both Tracks), Travel (One Track), Emergency Stop. |
| Telescopic Cranes | Telescope Out, Telescope In, Emergency Stop. |
Stop Signals
Stop signals are the most important signals for crane operation because they enable a signal person to quickly communicate the need to cease movement and activity.
– Stop: Extend one arm, palm down, then swing the arm back and forth, touching the chest, then back out to the side.
– Emergency stop: Extend both arms with palms down, then swing arms back and forth, touching the chest, then back out to the sides.
– Dog everything: Clasp both hands together and hold them in front of the navel.
Boom and Load Signals
Boom signals instruct the crane operator to raise or lower the boom, which is the long arm extending out from a crane. There are three common boom signals:
– Raise boom: Extend an arm outward and point the thumb upward with a closed fist.
– Lower boom: Extend an arm outward and point the thumb downward with a closed fist.
– Swing boom: Extend an arm outward, pointing with an index finger in the direction the boom should swing.
Load signals instruct the crane operator to raise or lower the load using the crane’s hoist. There are two common load signals:
– Hoist load: Extend an arm vertically, pointing a finger toward the sky, and make small clockwise circles with the hand.
– Lower load: Extend an arm vertically, pointing a finger toward the ground, and make small clockwise circles with the hand.
Travel Signals
Cranes themselves can be moved, and hand signals help communicate to the operator how to move the crane in a safe way in the desired direction.
– Travel (Mobile Cranes): Point the fingers upward with the hand extended out in front of the body, pushing in and out in the direction of travel.
– Trolley Travel (Tower Cranes): Point a thumb in the direction of travel, palm facing upward and other fingers closed in a fist. Move thumb back and forth to indicate travel.
– Travel (Both Tracks — Crawler Cranes): Rotate the hands with closed fists in front of the body. Rotation toward the body indicates travel forward, while rotation away from the body indicates travel backward.
– Travel (One Track — Crawler Cranes): Raise a fist to indicate which track to lock, then rotate the other fist in front of the body to indicate direction of travel.
Crane Hand Signals Promote Jobsite Safety
Knowledge of crane hand signals helps to ensure the safe operation of cranes—whether small carry deck cranes or large all-terrain cranes—which often weigh thousands of pounds and carry enormous loads. Using standardized hand signals helps maintain continuity between job sites and promotes safety across the entire construction industry.
Conclusion
Understanding and using crane hand signals is essential for safety on construction sites. Proper training and adherence to standardized signals can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Whether you are working with mobile cranes, tower cranes, or crawler cranes, knowing the correct signals is vital for effective communication and safe operations.
FAQs
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What are crane hand signals?
Crane hand signals are standardized gestures used to communicate instructions between a signal person and a crane operator, ensuring safe operations.
Why are hand signals important?
Hand signals are crucial in noisy environments where verbal communication is ineffective, allowing for clear and immediate instructions.
What types of cranes use hand signals?
Mobile cranes, tower cranes, crawler cranes, and telescopic cranes all utilize hand signals for safe operation.
How can I learn crane hand signals?
Training programs, such as those offered by organizations like nccco.org and safetyvideos.com, provide comprehensive education on crane hand signals.
What should I do in an emergency while operating a crane?
In an emergency, the signal person should use the emergency stop signal to immediately halt all crane operations.
