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c/crane-operators•keith900keith900•3mo ago

Am I the only one who had a radio fail right during a blind pick over a school?

Three years ago in Denver, my handheld went dead while I was swinging a load over a building. I had to rely on hand signals from a spotter I could barely see. What's your backup plan when comms go down mid-lift?
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4 Comments
riley_wood84
Read an OSHA report once that said over half of crane incidents involve some kind of communication breakdown. @emmahayes nailed it with the clear hand signals, that saved me in Denver. Backup radio is good but knowing the signals cold is what actually works when things go south.
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victor779
victor7793mo ago
Hand signals and a backup radio.
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margareto26
Oh man, that is the only way to go. I learned that lesson the hard way when my radio died in the middle of a muddy mess. Never again. Now my backup radio stays in my bag, no excuses.
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emmahayes
emmahayes3mo ago
Absolutely, you need that backup. My radio cut out once while we were setting a truss, and the spotter was on the other side of the site. We had clear hand signals worked out ahead of time, thank god. Now I check both radios before any pick, and my crew knows the signals cold. You just can't take that chance.
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