hand signals for crane operations training by willis safety consulting

Hand Signals forCrane Operations

Construction Safety & Risk Consulting

Hand SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

1. ANSI B30.5 Hand Signals2. Standard Hand Signals

Who ever is in charge of any crane or hoist operations (Contractor, Forman, Superintendent) using any crane or hoist must ensure that a fully competent, qualified and experienced signal person is assigned to work with the crane for as long as it is working within their area of responsibility.

Mobile Crane CommunicationsSafety Consulting, SOP

The code of federal regulations OSHA CFR Part 1926.550 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:

1. The crane is working within a boom’s length of power lines.

2. The operator cannot clearly see the load block/hook and the load at all times.

3. The crane is being backed up or moved and the operator cannot see all parts of the crane and its intended path of travel.

Standard Hand SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

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 and experienced 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.

Signal Person RequirementsSafety Consulting, SOP

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.

It is recommended that the signalperson wear highly visible gloves (day-glow orange, yellow or white) to distinguish him/herself from other personnel and make the signals clearer

Signal Person RequirementsSafety Consulting, SOP

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,

Crane Operation ProceduresSafety Consulting, SOP

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.

Crane Operation ProceduresSafety Consulting, SOP

ANSI B30.5 Standard Hand Signals:

Standard hand signals to the operator shall be in accordance with the standards that are prescribed in ANSI B30.5-3.3.2, 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.

ANSI B30.5 - Hand SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

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.

Two-Way Radio CommunicationSafety Consulting, SOP

Hand signals shall be post on the equipment or conspicuously at the jobsite.

ANSI B30.5 – Hand Signal ChartSafety Consulting, SOP

Signalperson: Signals shall be Discernible or audible at all times. No response shall be made unless signals are clearly understood.

Hand SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

Hoist: With the forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circle.

Hand Signals - HoistSafety Consulting, SOP

Lower: With the arm extended downward, forefinger pointing down move hand in small horizontal circle

Hand Signals - LowerSafety Consulting, SOP

Use Main Hoist: Tap fist on top of head then use regular signals.

Hand Signals – Main HoistSafety Consulting, SOP

Use Whip-Line: (Auxiliary Hoist) Tap elbow with one hand, then use regular signals.

Hand Signals – Whip-lineSafety Consulting, SOP

Raise Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with thumb pointing upward.

Hand Signals – Raise BoomSafety Consulting, SOP

Lower Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with thumb pointing downward.

Hand Signals – Lower BoomSafety Consulting, SOP

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).

Hand Signals – Move SlowlySafety Consulting, SOP

Raise the Boom & Lower the Load: With arm extended, thumb pointing up, flex fingers in and out as long as load movement is desired.

Hand Signals – Raise Boom & Lower the LoadSafety Consulting, SOP

Lower the Boom & Raise the Load: With arm extended, thumb pointing down, flex fingers in and out as long as load movement is desired.

Hand Signals – Lower the Boom& Raise the LoadSafety Consulting, SOP

Swing: Arm extended, point with finger in direction of swing of boom.

Hand Signals - SwingSafety Consulting, SOP

Stop: Arm extended, palm down, move arm back and forth horizontally.

Hand Signals - StopSafety Consulting, SOP

Emergency Stop: Both arms extended, palms down, move arms back and forth horizontally.

Hand Signals – Emergency StopSafety Consulting, SOP

Travel: Arm extended forward hand open and slightly raised make a pushing motion in direction of travel

Hand Signals - TravelSafety Consulting, SOP

Dog Everything: Clasp hands in front of body.

Hand Signals Dog EverythingSafety Consulting, SOP

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)

Hand Signals – Travel Both TracksSafety Consulting, SOP

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)

Hand Signals – Travel One TrackSafety Consulting, SOP

Extend Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in front of body with thumbs pointing outward.

Hand Signals – Extend BoomSafety Consulting, SOP

Retract Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in front of body with thumbs pointing towards each other.

Hand Signals – Retract BoomSafety Consulting, SOP

Extend Boom – One Hand Signal: (Hydraulic cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb tapping on chest.

Hand Signals – Extend BoomOne HandSafety 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.

Hand Signals – Retract BoomOne HandSafety Consulting, SOP

ANSI B30.5-3.3.3 Special Signals: For operations not covered by ANSI B30.5-3.3.2,

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.

Hand Signals – Special Hand SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

ANSI B30.5-3.3.4 Audible Travel Signals:1. When moving the vehicle, the following signals

shall be used;

A. STOP One Audible Signal

B. GO AHEAD Two Audible Signals

C. BACK-UP Three Audible Signals

Audible Travel SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

ANSI B30.5-3.3.5 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.

Hand Signals – SpecialHand SignalsSafety Consulting, SOP

1. Identify this hand signal?

A. Travel One Track

B. Travel Both Tracks

C. Dog Everything

D. Stop

Hand Signals - TestSafety Consulting, SOP


A. Stop

B. Move Slowly

C. Dog Everything

D. Emergency Stop



A. Extend Boom

B. Raise Boom

C. Retract Boom

D. Travel To Me



A. Raise Boom Lower Load

B. Raise Boom Slowly

C. Lower The Boom And Raise The Load

D. None Of The Above



A. Travel Forward

B. Travel One Track

C. Travel Both Tracks




A. Raise Boom

B. Extend Boom

C. Retract Boom




A. Raise Boom Slowly

B. Hoist Slowly

C. Swing Slowly




A. Raise Boom Slowly

B. Use Main Hoist

C. Use Auxiliary Hoist

D. Dog Everything



A. Use Auxiliary Hoist

B. Swing Left

C. Travel One Track

D. Dog Everything


11. The operator will only respond to signals only from:?

A. Designated Signalperson

B. Qualified Signalperson

C. Experienced Signalperson

D. All Of The Above


12. All mobile cranes must meet or exceed what ANSI crane standard for personnel lifting?

A. ANSI B30.2

B. ANSI B30.8

C. ANSI B30.5



Test Time!!Test Time!!

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Construction Safety & Risk Consulting

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