Hand Signals
The standard vocabulary
Hand signals are the default language between signalperson and operator, and OSHA expects the standard signals for the crane type unless the operator and signalperson have agreed on an alternative the operator clearly understands. Learn the signals as pairs, because questions are built by confusing the members of a pair:
- Hoist vs. lower: hoist is the forearm vertical, forefinger up, hand moving in small circles; lower is the arm and forefinger pointing down, hand moving in small circles.
- Raise boom vs. lower boom: arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing up (raise) or down (lower), with the arm moving in the direction of the thumb. The thumb - not the circling hand - is what separates boom signals from hoist signals.
- Extend vs. retract boom: both fists in front of the body, thumbs pointing away from each other (extend) or toward each other (retract).
- Swing vs. travel: swing is pointing with the finger in the direction the boom should swing; travel is the arm extended forward, hand open, pushing motion in the direction of travel. Distractors swap these two constantly.
- Stop vs. emergency stop: stop is one arm extended, palm down, swinging horizontally; emergency stop is both arms extended, palms down, swinging horizontally. Emergency stop may be given by anyone on site, and the operator must obey it no matter who gives it.
- Dog everything: hands clasped in front of the body.
Traps and a rule of thumb
Watch for answers that show a signal with the wrong hand position, or that let an unqualified person give a working signal. Keep signals crisp, hold them long enough to be read, and stand where the operator can see you; if you lose sight of the operator or the load, stop the lift. Rule of thumb: one hand means routine, two hands means emergency or a two-fisted boom command - and if an answer describes “up” without saying what goes up, it is probably wrong.