10.1 Standard Hand Signals, Voice & Radio Signals and Signal Person Qualification
Key Takeaways
1A and 1B applicants must know the crane operator ASME hand signals, and OPSI says crane and excavator applicants must know the national standard signals in 230 CMR 6.00 to pass.
Appendix A of 230 CMR 6.00 reproduces the ASME B30.5 crane hand signals, and Appendix B reproduces the SAE excavator and backhoe hand signals.
Operators respond only to signals from the signal person except in emergencies, and must obey a stop or emergency stop signal no matter who gives it (230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)9; OSHA 1926.1417(y)).
If signal transmission between the operator and signal person is interrupted, the operator must safely stop operations until it is restored (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419(f)).
A signal person qualifies through a third-party or employer qualified evaluator, using an oral or written test plus a practical test (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1428).
Why signals carry so much weight
230 CMR 6.10 makes knowledge of the crane operator ASME hand signals a prerequisite for 1A and 1B, and knowledge of excavator hand signals a prerequisite for 2A. OPSI's application warns that crane and excavator operators shall know the national standard hand signals found in 230 CMR 6.00 in order to pass. The regulation defines a signal person as a trained individual qualified to direct the operator and warn of hazards using hand signals, audible signals or flashing lights, and points to Appendices A and B.
Appendix A: crane hand signals (ASME B30.5)
| Signal | How it is given |
|---|---|
| Hoist | Forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, move the hand in a small horizontal circle |
| Lower | Arm extended downward, forefinger pointing down, move the hand in a small horizontal circle |
| Use main hoist | Tap fist on head, then use regular signals |
| Use whipline (auxiliary hoist) | Tap elbow with one hand, then use regular signals |
| Raise boom | Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing upward |
| Lower boom | Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing downward |
| Move slowly | One hand gives any motion signal; the other hand is held motionless in front of the hand giving the signal (hoist slowly is the example shown) |
| Raise the boom and lower the load | Arm extended, thumb pointing up, flex fingers in and out as long as load movement is desired |
| Lower the boom and raise the load | Arm extended, thumb pointing down, flex fingers in and out as long as load movement is desired |
| Swing | Arm extended, point with finger in the direction of boom swing |
| Stop | Arm extended, palm down, move the arm back and forth horizontally |
| Emergency stop | Both arms extended, palms down, move both arms back and forth horizontally |
| Travel | Arm extended forward, hand open and slightly raised, make a pushing motion in the direction of travel |
| Dog everything | Clasp hands in front of the body |
| Travel (both tracks) | Both fists in front of the body, making a circular motion about each other, showing forward or backward (land cranes only) |
| Travel (one track) | Lock the track on the side shown by a raised fist; travel the opposite track in the direction shown by the other fist rotated vertically in front of the body (land cranes only) |
| Extend boom (telescoping) | Both fists in front of the body, thumbs pointing outward |
| Retract boom (telescoping) | Both fists in front of the body, thumbs pointing toward each other |
| Extend boom, one hand | One fist in front of the chest, thumb tapping the chest |
| Retract boom, one hand | One fist in front of the chest, thumb pointing outward and the heel of the fist tapping the chest |
Pairs that are easy to confuse:
- Stop uses one arm; emergency stop uses both.
- Main hoist is a tap on the head; whipline is a tap on the elbow.
- Raise boom is a still thumb up; raise boom and lower load is thumb up with the fingers flexing.
- Extend has thumbs out; retract has thumbs pointing toward each other.
Appendix B: excavator and backhoe signals (SAE J1307)
230 CMR 6.09(5)(c) requires SAE hand signals for excavating machinery. Several look like the crane signals (raise and lower load vertically with circling forefingers, boom up and down with thumbs, swing by pointing, move slowly with a still hand). There are also excavator-only signals:
| Signal | How it is given |
|---|---|
| Arm/dipperstick in / out | Both hands clenched, thumbs pointing inward / outward |
| Close bucket | One hand closed and still, the other rotating in a small vertical circle with forefinger pointing at the closed hand |
| Open bucket | One hand open and still, the other rotating in a small vertical circle with forefinger pointing at the open hand |
| Retract / extend telescopic arm | Arm outstretched horizontally, fingers closed, thumb pointing in the direction of movement |
| This far to go | Hands raised and open inward, moved laterally to show the distance |
| Stop / emergency stop | One arm, or both arms, extended laterally, hand open downward, moved back and forth |
| Stop engine | Draw thumb or forefinger across the throat |
OSHA rules for signals (29 CFR 1926.1419–1422)
When a signal person is required (1926.1419(a))
- The point of operation (load travel or the area at load placement) is not in full view of the operator.
- When traveling, the view in the direction of travel is obstructed.
- Site-specific safety concerns lead either the operator or the person handling the load to decide one is needed.
Types and rules
- Signals may be hand, voice, audible or "new" signals. Hand signals must use the Standard Method (OSHA Appendix A) unless that is infeasible or the operation isn't covered. Then non-standard signals may be used only if the signal person, operator and lift director (if any) contact each other before the operation and agree on them (1926.1419(c)).
- The signals and the way they are transmitted (line of sight, video, radio) must be appropriate for site conditions. If the ability to transmit signals is interrupted, the operator must safely stop operations requiring signals until signals are re-established and understood (1926.1419(e)–(f)).
- The operator must obey a stop or emergency stop signal no matter who gives it (1926.1417(y)). 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)9 states the Massachusetts version: respond only to signals from a signal person, except in emergencies.
- Radio and electronic signals (1926.1420): test the device on site before operations begin, use a dedicated channel (multiple cranes and signal persons may share one channel to coordinate), and give the operator hands-free reception.
- Voice signals (1926.1421): operator, signal person and lift director agree on them in advance. Each voice signal contains function, direction, distance and/or speed, then stop, for example "Hoist, up, 20 feet, 10 feet, 5 feet, 2 feet, stop."
- Audible travel warning: in Massachusetts, if the machine has a warning signal, it is sounded before traveling and intermittently while traveling, especially near people (230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)10). Horn codes for other purposes must be agreed on site.
Signal person qualification (29 CFR 1926.1428)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who evaluates | Option 1: a third-party qualified evaluator, whose documentation is portable. Option 2: the employer's qualified evaluator, whose documentation is not portable to other employers |
| What the signal person must know | The signals used (the Standard Method if hand signals are used); competence in applying them; a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including crane dynamics in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads; and the requirements of 1926.1419–1422 and 1926.1428 |
| How it is shown | An oral or written test, plus a practical test |
| Documentation | Available at the site while the signal person is employed, listing each type of signaling qualified for |
Practice
- A rigger taps an elbow, then circles a raised forefinger. That means hoist on the whipline.
- A carpenter who is not the signal person waves both arms, palms down. That is an emergency stop, and the operator stops.
- The signal person's radio goes silent during a blind pick. The operator stops until communication is restored (1926.1419(f)).
Under Appendix A of 230 CMR 6.00 (ASME B30.5), how does a signal person call for the main hoist?
Tap elbow with one hand, then use regular signals
Clasp hands in front of the body
Tap fist on head, then use regular signals
Point with a finger in the direction of the load
A radio-directed blind lift is underway when the signal person's transmissions stop. What does OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419(f) require?
Continue at reduced speed until the load is set
Switch to hand signals from any available worker
Finish the current motion, then wait
Safely stop operations requiring signals until transmission is re-established and a proper signal is given and understood
How must a signal person demonstrate qualification under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1428?
By an oral or written test and a practical test, documented by a third-party or employer qualified evaluator
By holding a Massachusetts 1B hoisting license
By completing 40 hours of on-the-job signaling
By passing a medical examination only
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.