Hand Signals for

Crane Operations

Construction Safety & Risk Consulting

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Hand Signals

Safety Consulting, SOP

Mobile Crane Communications

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.

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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 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.

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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 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.

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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

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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,

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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.

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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.

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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.

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ANSI B30.5 Hand Signal Chart

Hand signals shall

be post on the
equipment or
conspicuously at
the jobsite.

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Hand Signals

Signalperson: Signals shall be Discernible or

audible at all times. No response shall be made
unless signals are clearly understood.

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Hand Signals - Hoist

Hoist: With the forearm vertical, forefinger

pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circle.

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Hand Signals - Lower

Lower: With the arm extended downward,

forefinger pointing down move hand in small
horizontal circle

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Hand Signals Main Hoist

Use Main Hoist: Tap fist on top of head then

use regular signals.

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Hand Signals Whip-line

Use Whip-Line: (Auxiliary Hoist) Tap elbow with

one hand, then use regular signals.

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Hand Signals Raise Boom

Raise Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with

thumb pointing upward.

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Hand Signals Lower Boom

Lower Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with

thumb pointing downward.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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Hand Signals - Swing

Swing: Arm extended, point with finger in

direction of swing of boom.

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Hand Signals - Stop

Stop: Arm extended, palm down, move arm

back and forth horizontally.

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Hand Signals Emergency Stop

Emergency Stop: Both arms extended, palms

down, move arms back and forth horizontally.

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Hand Signals - Travel

Travel: Arm extended forward hand open and slightly

raised make a pushing motion in direction of travel

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Hand Signals Dog Everything

Dog Everything:

Clasp hands in front of body.

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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)

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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)

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Hand Signals Extend Boom

Extend Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in

front of body with thumbs pointing outward.

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Hand Signals Retract Boom

Retract Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in

front of body with thumbs pointing towards each
other.

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Hand Signals Extend Boom

One Hand

Extend Boom One Hand Signal: (Hydraulic

cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb
tapping on chest.

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Hand Signals Retract 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.

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Hand Signals Special

Hand Signals

ANSI B30.5-3.3.3 Special Signals:

For operations not covered by ANSI B30.53.3.2, 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.

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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

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Hand Signals Special

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.

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Hand Signals - Test

1. Identify this hand signal?

A. Travel One Track
B. Travel Both Tracks
C. Dog Everything
D. Stop

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Hand Signals - Test

2. Identify this hand signal?

A. Stop
B. Move Slowly
C. Dog Everything
D. Emergency Stop

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Hand Signals - Test

3. Identify this hand signal?

A. Extend Boom
B. Raise Boom
C. Retract Boom
D. Travel To Me

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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

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Hand Signals - Test

5. Identify this hand signal?

A. Travel Forward
B. Travel One Track
C. Travel Both Tracks
D. None Of The Above

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Hand Signals - Test

6. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom
B. Extend Boom
C. Retract Boom
D. None Of The Above

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Hand Signals - Test

7. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom
Slowly
B. Hoist Slowly
C. Swing Slowly
D. None Of The
Above

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Hand Signals - Test

9. Identify this hand signal?

A. Raise Boom
Slowly
B. Use Main
Hoist
C. Use Auxiliary
Hoist
D. Dog
Everything

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Hand Signals - Test

10. Identify this hand signal?

A. Use Auxiliary
Hoist
B. Swing Left
C. Travel One
Track
D. Dog
Everything

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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

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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