Warning: I keep seeing guys skip the hand signal review with new ground crews

On a site in Charlotte last month, a rigger gave the 'stop' signal but the operator thought it was 'hoist'. We caught it because the load was only a foot off the ground, but it could have been bad. I think some of us assume everyone knows the basics, but a quick 2 minute review before the shift starts is worth it. How do you guys make sure your signal person is on the same page?

3 comments

3 Comments

knight.dylan3d ago

Yeah that's scary, but honestly the hand signals are the easy part. The real problem is when crews mix up who's giving signals. Seen it happen where two guys are both trying to direct and the operator gets confused. Gotta have one clear signal person, everyone else needs to shut up and let them work. That two minute review needs to include pointing out who's wearing the vest or whatever.

william_garcia3d ago

One clear signal person" sounds good on paper but man, that's a lot of trust in one guy. What if he's the one who messes up?

fiona_west212d ago

Exactly, that vest is useless if three people are wearing it. Pick one guy and make him repeat the signals back to you.