One person signals the crane
Cranes and rigging 5 min 29 CFR 1926.1419
Why it matters
The operator has to know who to watch. A signal person is required when the operator cannot see the load or the path, and in the other cases the crane rule lists. One person gives the signals. Anyone on the crew may call a stop, and the operator obeys that stop.
The talk
A signal person is required when the operator cannot see the load or the path it has to travel. The crane rule, 1926.1419, also requires one in the other cases it lists. Do not decide on your own that the operator can probably see. If the cab faces away, if a column blocks the view, or if the load will land where the operator cannot watch it, you need a signal person. That person is the only one who gives directions. Two people signaling is two stories at once. The operator cannot follow both, and the load goes where nobody agreed.
Before the lift, the operator and the signal person agree on the signals. Use the signals you both already know. Do not invent a new one in the middle of the pick, and do not add a whistle code the operator has not agreed to. A motion that means a little more to you may mean something else in the cab. If a signal is unclear, the operator stops. You do not keep going and sort it out while the load is moving. Stop, get where you can see each other, and start again from a signal you both know.
The signal person stands where the operator can see them the whole time. If the operator loses sight of that person, the move stops. The signal person also stays out from under the load. You do not guide a pick from the spot where the load will come down on you. Anyone on the crew may give the stop signal. A laborer, a welder, a person walking past: if they signal stop, the operator obeys. Stop does not belong to one person. You do not have to be the assigned signal person to keep somebody from getting hurt.
Key points
- A signal person is required when the operator cannot see the load or the path.
- The crane rule lists other cases that need a signal person too.
- Only one person gives the directions.
- The operator and that person agree on the signals before the lift.
- Do not invent a new signal or a whistle code during the pick.
- The signal person stays in the operator's view and out from under the load.
- Anyone may give a stop, and the operator obeys a stop from anyone.
Do this
- Use one signal person when the operator cannot see the load or the path.
- Agree on the signals with the operator before the hook moves.
- Stand where the operator can see you the whole time.
- Stay out from under the load while you signal.
- Obey a stop no matter who on the crew gives it.
Do not do this
- Do not let two people give directions to the same crane.
- Do not make up a signal or a whistle code in the middle of the pick.
- Do not keep moving if the operator cannot see the signal person.
- Do not signal from under the load.
- Do not ignore a stop because it did not come from the assigned signal person.
Talk about it
- On this lift, can the operator see the load and the path the whole way?
- Who is the one signal person, and where will they stand?
- What do we do if someone else on the crew signals stop?
Listens with this phone's voice. Nothing is sent out.
Send to the crew
The crew link opens the talk so each person can read it and sign on their own phone.
Scan at the jobsite. It opens the crew sign-off.