- Huyett Marketing Department
- 02/03/2022
- Updated 11/30/2023
Crane operators spend their working days in a small cab, which may be suspended hundreds of feet above the ground. They are responsible for safely lifting and moving heavy loads in environments that are often crowded with buildings, trees, vehicles, construction equipment, and people – environments where they may not always have a clear view of the load and the path it will take as they lift and move it.
Moving a heavy load with
lifting and rigging hardware in three dimensions when the operator has limited vision presents an obvious safety hazard. That’s why many lifting operations rely on a crane signal person—known as a
“spotter”—who is positioned to have a comprehensive view of the load and the surrounding environment. The spotter communicates instructions to the crane operator so they can safely move the load without hitting obstacles or endangering personnel.
OSHA
requires a spotter to be part of the lifting crew when:
- The point of operation — the load's position and the area nearby — is not in full view of the operator,
- The operator's view is obstructed in the load's direction of travel, or
- There are specific safety concerns that lead the operator or the person handling the load to determine a spotter is necessary.
The spotter can communicate with the crane operator in a number of different ways, but hand signals are widely used.
What Are Crane Hand Signals?
Crane hand signals are a standardized set of hand and arm positions and movements understood by the crane operator and the spotter. They allow the spotter to efficiently communicate with the crane operator over significant distances. If the operator can see the spotter and the spotter can see potential hazards, loads can be moved safely even though the operator doesn’t have a direct line of sight.
In the U.S., spotters generally use the Standard Method hand signals described in
OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart CC, Appendix A. OSHA does allow for the use of non-standard hand signals when a particular operation or piece of equipment is not covered by the Standard Method. However, the spotter, crane operator, and lift director must agree on non-standard signals before the lifting operation begins.
CRANE OPERATION HAND SIGNALS
Crane Signals to Stop or Slow Lifting Operations
Crane Signals Related to Moving Loads with a Hoist
Crane Signals for Boom Operations
Movement Signals for Mobile Cranes
Why Use Crane Hand Signals Instead of Voice Signals?
Crane signal regulations allow the spotter and crane operator to use hand, voice, or audible signals, including signals transmitted over electronic devices like a radio. These essential signals contribute to the overall safety of the lifting and rigging environment, which we introduce in our
rigger safety guide for lifts.
Hand signals are still widely used because they are fast and reliable. Provided the spotter is visible to the crane operator, information can be communicated instantly without relying on any equipment beyond the spotter’s body and the crane operator’s eyes.
Radio-based signaling depends on equipment that must be maintained and verified to work before each lift. If there’s a transmission failure, the lift has to be stopped until the problem is resolved. Plus, cranes operate in noisy environments where it may not be possible to hear voice and audible communications.
Crane Hand Signals Every Spotter and Crane Operator Should Know
Appendix A to Subpart CC of OSHA Part 1926 — Standard Hand Signals
defines 19 standard hand signals. Some are only useful for certain crane types. For example, the signal for “Travel, both tracks” only applies to crawler cranes. In the following list of standard hand signals, we mention when the signal applies to a specific type of crane.
Crane Signals to Stop or Slow Lifting Operations
Stop
Extend one arm horizontally with the palm down. Swing the arm back and forth.
Emergency Stop
Extend both arms horizontally with the palm down. Swing both arms back and forth.
In contrast to most crane signals, the operator must react to an "Emergency Stop" signal from anyone on the worksite, not just the spotter.
Dog Everything
Hands clasped together at the waist.
The "dog everything" signal means to pause the current operation. It tells the crane operator to put the crane's locks in place to arrest movement.
Move Slowly
Place a hand in front of the hand giving an action signal. The "move slowly" signal is used in conjunction with another signal such as "hoist" or "lower."
Crane Signals Related to Moving Loads with a Hoist
A crane’s hoist is the wire rope or chain used to lift or lower a load. It is typically connected to the load via a lifting hook. Some cranes are equipped with more than one hoist: a main hoist and an auxiliary hoist—which is also known as a whipline. The main hoist usually has a higher load rating, while the secondary one is usually faster but with a lower load rating.
Hoist
Extend the whole arm upwards and point straight up with the index finger. Move the finger and hand in small circles.
"Hoist" tells the operator to raise the load using the crane's hoist.
Lower
Extend the whole arm downwards and point the index finger towards the ground. Move the finger and hand in small circles.
Use Main Hoist
Tap one hand on top of the head.
Use Auxiliary Hoist
Bend one arm at the elbow, holding the forearm vertical. Tap the elbow with the other hand.
Crane Signals for Boom Operations
The boom is the fixed or movable arm that the hoist runs along. There are several types of booms, including lattice booms, telescopic booms, and folding booms.
Raise Boom
Extend the arm out to the side and point the thumb upwards while the other fingers are closed towards the palm.
Lower Boom
Extend the arm out to the side and point the thumb downwards while the other fingers are closed towards the palm.
Raise the Boom and Lower the Load
Extend an arm out to the side with the thumb pointing upwards. Open and close the remaining fingers. Continue to move the fingers until the load operation should stop.
Raising the boom also raises the load and brings it closer to the crane (reduces the load radius). Raising the boom while lowering the load helps to ensure the load is correctly and safely positioned.
Lower the Boom and Raise the Load
Extend an arm out to the side with the thumb pointing downwards. Open and close the remaining fingers. Continue to move the fingers until the load operation should stop.
Extend Telescoping Boom
With both hands at waist level, point the thumbs outwards with the other fingers closed towards the palm.
Retract Telescoping Boom
With both hands at waist level, point the thumbs inwards toward each other with the other fingers closed towards the palm.
Swing
Extend the arm horizontally and point the index finger in the direction the boom should swing.
Movement Signals for Mobile Cranes
Cranes can be divided into two basic categories: static cranes and mobile cranes. Static cranes include tower cranes and bridge cranes. The hand signals we’ve looked at so far are appropriate to both. However, spotters also need signals to communicate with operators of mobile cranes, including crawler cranes with tracks and truck-mounted cranes.
Travel/Tower Travel
Extend the arms forwards with all fingers pointing upwards. The arms are extended in the direction of travel and moved out and back as if “pushing” the crane in that direction.
Crawler Crane Travel, Both Tracks
Rotate both fists around each other in front of the body. The direction of the hands indicates the desired direction of movement. Away from the body indicates forward movement; towards the body indicates reverse movement.
Crawler Crane Travel, One Track
Rotate one fist in front of the body to indicate the direction of movement as with “Crawler Crane Travel, Both Tracks.” Use the hand that corresponds to the track that should move. Raise the other hand in a fist to indicate the track that should remain stationary.
On a tracked crawler crane, moving one track causes the vehicle to turn, so the “both track” crawler travel signals control forward and reverse, while the “one track” signals control turning direction.
Trolley Travel
With the palm facing upwards and fingers closed, point the thumb and move the fist in the direction the trolley should travel.
Crane Signal OSHA and ASME Regulations
Crane hand signals are subject to a number of regulations and standards. These cover the standard signals, crane signal person qualifications, and the situations in which a spotter is required.
- OSHA 1926.1419 - Signals-general requirements describe when a spotter must be provided and the types of signals that are permitted.
- OSHA 1926.1428 - Signal person qualifications describe the qualifications and knowledge a spotter requires.
- ASME B30.5 is a comprehensive safety standard for mobile and locomotive cranes, including standard hand signals.
- ASME B30.3 provides standards for tower cranes, also including standard hand signals.
Crane signals and the spotter are essential to running safe lifting operations. We’ve covered the basics here, but you may want to consult the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operator’s
Signalperson Reference Manual
to learn more.
