To the untrained eye, a construction site often looks quite a bit like controlled chaos. Dump trucks driving all over the construction site and cranes moving loads from one location to another. It truly seems as though every worker has his own agenda to complete his own task. In reality, there is a lot more going on than this, especially in regards to the cranes and their proper operation. For each crane, there is a highly trained Rigger and a Signalperson involved in every movement they are making to ensure safety and proper execution.

At first glance, the crane operator seems to be the person with the most responsibility on a work site, and in fact, they are accountable for the safety of the entire work site. But, the Rigger is just as responsible for the safety of the crane operations. This includes the proper rigging of loads prior to them being lifted. To perform this properly, weight charts must be read and the proper rigging equipment used. This is an essential piece of the site’s overall safety as some of these loads can be extremely heavy and dangerous to coworkers.

Once the load is appropriately secured, it is then the Signalperson’s duty to safely guide the crane operator to perform the proper movement of the load from the rigging location to its final resting spot. Much like the director of an orchestra, the Signal person has to keep the flow of work moving to ensure the job is completed, but even more importantly, he must make certain that all crane activities are performed safely. This is performed using hand signals that must become second nature to the Signal person and the crane operator.

The Rigger and Signalperson have a great deal of responsibility to ensure the crew on the work site is safe, while at the same time, ensuring the job is correctly completed. Due to this responsibility and the importance of this position, it is mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that Rigger and Signalperson training must be performed, and a worker must be qualified or certified prior to performing this duty.

In today’s modern world of electronics, two way radios and other communication devices, the crane operator still relies on hand signals, or, in some countries, an old fashion pea-whistle. Even if you use a two way radio for communication, crane operators still need a thorough understanding of hand signals since there are situations where the radio cannot be used. Sites that use explosives often ban their use as they could set of detonators.

The problem with hand signals is getting the perspective right. Either you are high up looking down on the work; you could be on the ground taking direction from someone up higher; or the signaler may be on the same level as you. You need to get your interpretation right to follow directions.

Some basic hand signals include:

• Stop – world wide hand signal – open hand with the palm faced towards the operator
• Up – Arm in the air with the finger pointed – the hand and wrist make a circular motion. The slower the motion, the slower the speed of the lift.
• Down – Down is general the opposite of up, however some areas use a more specific motion where the arm is extended out from the body with the open palm facing down – the arm and palm make gentle backward and forward motions – again the speed of the motion indicates the lowering speed.
• Swing – Arm extended with the finger pointing in the direction of the swing.

Of course, some hand signals get trickier. Say you wanted to raise the boom while lowering the load. For this the signaler would extend the arm with the thumb pointing up – this indicates raising the boom. At the same time the fingers would be flexed in and out to indicate the lowering of the load.

As a crane operator, you can often build up a good working rapport with your signaler. On other occasions you may be working with some one you have never met before. This is why standard hand signals need to be learned. The crane operator also needs to be able to respond instantly for each hand signal, particularly the stop signal.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools deliver nationally accredited training for crane operators. Verbal and non-verbal (including hand signals) training is included. If you have a desire to work as a crane operator then check out the details of the crane operator training program online.