1. Hand Signals for
Crane Operations

2. Hand Signals

3. Mobile Crane Communications
ANSI B30.5 Hand Signals
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.

4. Standard Hand Signals
The code of federal regulations OSHA CFR Part 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 boom’s 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 crane’s 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 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.

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 B , 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. Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Stop
Stop: Arm extended, palm down, move arm back and forth horizontally.

24. Hand Signals – Emergency Stop
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals – Emergency Stop
Emergency Stop: Both arms extended, palms down, move arms back and forth horizontally.

25. Safety Consulting, SOP
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
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals Dog Everything
Dog Everything: Clasp hands in front of body.

27. Hand Signals – Travel Both Tracks
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)

28. Hand Signals – Travel One Track
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)

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

30. Hand Signals – Retract Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP
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
Safety Consulting, SOP
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
Safety Consulting, SOP
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:
Safety Consulting, SOP
ANSI B Special Signals:
For operations not covered by ANSI B , 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
Safety Consulting, SOP
Audible Travel Signals
ANSI B 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:
Safety Consulting, SOP
ANSI B 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? Travel One Track
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
1. Identify this hand signal?
Travel One Track
Travel Both Tracks
Dog Everything
Stop

37. Hand Signals - Test 2. Identify this hand signal? Stop Move Slowly
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
2. Identify this hand signal?
Stop
Move Slowly
Dog Everything
Emergency Stop

38. Hand Signals - Test 3. Identify this hand signal? Extend Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
3. Identify this hand signal?
Extend Boom
Raise Boom
Retract Boom
Travel To Me

39. Hand Signals - Test 4. Identify this hand signal?
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
4. Identify this hand signal?
Raise Boom Lower Load
Raise Boom Slowly
Lower The Boom And Raise The Load
None Of The Above

40. Hand Signals - Test 5. Identify this hand signal? Travel Forward
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
5. Identify this hand signal?
Travel Forward
Travel One Track
Travel Both Tracks
None Of The Above

41. Hand Signals - Test 6. Identify this hand signal? Raise Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
6. Identify this hand signal?
Raise Boom
Extend Boom
Retract Boom
None Of The Above

42. Hand Signals - Test 7. Identify this hand signal? Raise Boom Slowly
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
7. Identify this hand signal?
Raise Boom Slowly
Hoist Slowly
Swing Slowly
None Of The Above

43. Hand Signals - Test 9. Identify this hand signal? Raise Boom Slowly
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
9. Identify this hand signal?
Raise Boom Slowly
Use Main Hoist
Use Auxiliary Hoist
Dog Everything

44. Hand Signals - Test 10. Identify this hand signal? Use Auxiliary Hoist
Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
10. Identify this hand signal?
Use Auxiliary Hoist
Swing Left
Travel One Track
Dog Everything

45. Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
11. The operator will only respond to signals only from:?
Designated Signalperson
Qualified Signalperson
Experienced Signalperson
All Of The Above

46. Safety Consulting, SOP
Hand Signals - Test
12. All mobile cranes must meet or exceed what ANSI crane standard for personnel lifting?
ANSI B30.2
ANSI B30.8
ANSI B30.5
None Of The Above

47. Questions?
Test Time!!
Construction Safety & Risk Consulting