Signals, Communications and Personnel Coordination
Communication failures cause a large share of crane incidents. Questions test who may give signals, how they are given, and what happens when communication is lost.
Roles
- Slinger/signaller directs the lift; crane operator responds. Only one person should give signals at a time, and the operator must know who that is before the lift starts.
- Any person may give an emergency stop signal.
- The appointed person plans the lift and the communication method.
Methods
- Hand signals must follow the recognised standard set; radio communication requires a dedicated channel, agreed call signs, and a check before the lift.
- Where the operator cannot see the load or the landing area, a signaller must be positioned with a clear view, or a sighting/communication protocol agreed.
- Agree the blind lift procedure in advance.
Coordination
- Brief all parties before the lift: load weight, route, landing point, exclusion zone, and stop criteria.
- Lost communication is a stop condition: the operator stops and holds until communication is restored under the agreed procedure.
Traps
- Assuming the banksman can also be the slinger if they are "close enough".
- Assuming radio failure means continue on hand signals without a pre-agreed fallback.
- Forgetting that anyone may signal emergency stop.
Rule of thumb
If in doubt, stop. The operator should never move a load on an ambiguous signal.