Construction and Industrial Safety Training Series

1
Hand Signals for Crane Operations
2
Hand Signals
3
Mobile Crane Communications

• ANSI B30.5 Hand Signals
• Standard Hand SignalsWho 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.

4
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
• The crane is working within a booms length of
  power lines.
• The operator cannot clearly see the load
  block/hook and the load at all times.
• The crane is being backed up or moved and the
  operator cannot see all parts of the crane and
  its intended path of travel.

5
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 cranes operating
  radius).
• Direct the load so that it never passes over
  anyone.

6
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.

7
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,

8
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.

9
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.

10
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.

11
ANSI B30.5 Hand Signal Chart

• Hand signals shall be post on the equipment or
  conspicuously at the jobsite.

12
Hand Signals

• Signalperson Signals shall be Discernible or
  audible at all times. No response shall be made
  unless signals are clearly understood.

13
Hand Signals - Hoist

• Hoist/Raise the Load With the forearm
  vertical, forefinger pointing up, move hand in
  small horizontal circle.

14
Hand Signals - Lower

• Lower With the arm extended downward,
  forefinger pointing down move hand in small
  horizontal circle

15
Hand Signals Main Hoist

• Use Main Hoist Tap fist on top of head then
  use regular signals.

16
Hand Signals Whip-line

• Use Whip-Line (Auxiliary Hoist) Tap elbow with
  one hand, then use regular signals.

17
Hand Signals Raise Boom

• Raise Boom Arm extended fingers closed with
  thumb pointing upward.

18
Hand Signals Lower Boom

• Lower Boom Arm extended fingers closed with
  thumb pointing downward.

19
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).

20
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.

21
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.

22
Hand Signals - Swing

• Swing Arm extended, point with finger in
  direction of swing of boom.

23
Hand Signals - Stop

• Stop Arm extended, palm down, move arm back
  and forth horizontally.

24
Hand Signals Emergency Stop

• Emergency Stop Both arms extended, palms down,
  move arms back and forth horizontally.

25
Hand Signals - Travel

• Travel Arm extended forward hand open and
  slightly raised make a pushing motion in
  direction of travel

26
Hand Signals Dog Everything

• Dog Everything Clasp hands in front of body.

27
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)

28
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)

29
Hand Signals Extend Boom

• Extend Boom (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
  front of body with thumbs pointing outward.

30
Hand Signals Retract Boom

• Retract Boom (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
  front of body with thumbs pointing towards each
  other.

31
Hand Signals Extend Boom One Hand

• Extend Boom One Hand Signal (Hydraulic
  cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb
  tapping on chest.

32
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.

33
Hand Signals Special 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.

34
Audible Travel Signals

• ANSI B30.5-3.3.4 Audible Travel Signals
• When moving the vehicle, the following signals
  shall be used
• STOP One Audible Signal
• GO AHEAD Two Audible Signals
• BACK-UP Three Audible Signals

35
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.

36
Hand Signals - Test

• 1. Identify this hand signal?

1. Travel One Track
2. Travel Both Tracks
3. Dog Everything
4. Stop

37
Hand Signals - Test

• 2. Identify this hand signal?

1. Stop
2. Move Slowly
3. Dog Everything
4. Emergency Stop

38
Hand Signals - Test

• 3. Identify this hand signal?

1. Extend Boom
2. Raise Boom
3. Retract Boom
4. Travel To Me

39
Hand Signals - Test

• 4. Identify this hand signal?

1. Raise Boom Lower Load
2. Raise Boom Slowly
3. Lower The Boom And Raise The Load
4. None Of The Above

40
Hand Signals - Test

• 5. Identify this hand signal?

1. Travel Forward
2. Travel One Track
3. Travel Both Tracks
4. None Of The Above

41
Hand Signals - Test

• 6. Identify this hand signal?

1. Raise Boom
2. Extend Boom
3. Retract Boom
4. None Of The Above

42
Hand Signals - Test

• 7. Identify this hand signal?

1. Raise Boom Slowly
2. Hoist Slowly
3. Swing Slowly
4. None Of The Above

43
Hand Signals - Test

• 9. Identify this hand signal?

1. Raise Boom Slowly
2. Use Main Hoist
3. Use Auxiliary Hoist
4. Dog Everything

44
Hand Signals - Test

• 10. Identify this hand signal?

1. Use Auxiliary Hoist
2. Swing Left
3. Travel One Track
4. Dog Everything

45
Hand Signals - Test

• 11. The operator will only respond to signals
  only from?

1. Designated Signalperson
2. Qualified Signalperson
3. Experienced Signalperson
4. All Of The Above

46
Hand Signals - Test

• 12. All mobile cranes must meet or exceed what
  ANSI crane standard for personnel lifting?

1. ANSI B30.2
2. ANSI B30.8
3. ANSI B30.5
4. None Of The Above

47
Questions?
Test Time!!
Construction Safety Risk Consulting