The document outlines the qualifications and training requirements for signal persons in crane operations, as presented by Tony DiLorenzo, an experienced risk management professional and OSHA authorized instructor. It covers essential information including OSHA regulations, safety considerations, communication methods, and specific signaling techniques alongside the importance of proper training and disqualification protocols. The document serves as a comprehensive guide to ensure safe and effective crane signaling practices.

1. Signal Person Qualification

2. Chapter 1
Introduction
Trainer Qualifications
Course Objectives
2

3. Presented By:
Tony DiLorenzo, CSP, ARM, CRIS
General Manager
AJZ Risk Management, LLC
413 Hickory Drive
Auburn, PA 17922
Email: tony@ajzriskmanagement.com
(570) 366-2806 Office
(570) 449-4784 Cell
(570) 366-3651 Fax

4. Instructor Qualifications
• 1. 35 years of commercial insurance experience conducting
risk assessments for contractors.
• 2. Four years teaching crane rigging and signal person
training.
• 3. An OSHA Construction Outreach Authorized Instructor.
• 4. Have a general awareness of the new OSHA crane rule 29
CFR 1926 Subpart CC and have developed signal person
training courses.
• Completed Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau’s Mobile
Crane Operations one week course.
• Professional Designations: CSP (Certified Safety
Professional), ARM (Associate in Risk Management), CRIS
(Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist)

5. Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:
■Understand the basic hazards associated with signaling
crane operations
■Know OSHA Requirements for Crane Signal Person
Qualification CFR 1926.1428
■Obtain skills, knowledge and qualification for using
hand and radio signals to safely direct crane
movements.
■Be able to develop your own company’s Signal Person
Qualification program.

6. CHAPTER 2
• 29CFR 1926.1428
• OSHA SIGNAL PERSON QUALIFICAITON

7. OSHA CFR 1926.1428 – Signal Person
Qualifications
• Employer must ensure each signal person meets
Qualification Requirements [1926.1428 (c)]
• Two Options - Third Party or Employer
• Third Party qualification is portable
• Documentation by Third Party or Employer
• Written or Verbal Test
• Practical Test

8. OSHA CFR 1926.1428 – Signal Person
Qualifications (continued)
• Documentation must specify type of signaling, e.g., voice,
hand signals, or other
• Must know and understand types of signals used, e.g.,
“Standard Method” for hand signals
• Be competent in the application of the type of signals
used
• Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and
limitations including crane dynamics involved in swinging
and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting
loads
• Know and understand relevant requirements of CFR
1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and 1926.1428

9. CHAPTER 3
TYPES OF CRANES
PARTS OF CRANES
9

10. Carrier Mount Telescopic
Boom

11. Pedestal & Tower Cranes

12. Rough Terrain Telescopic
Boom

13. Parts of Cranes
• Movable boom – can be raised, lowered, rotated
• Spool with steel cable that extends to end of boom
• Counterweights that offset the weight of the load

14. CHAPTER 4
• GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
• DISQUALIFICAITON
• GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

15. General Safety
Considerations• Typical PPE will likely include hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, high visibility vest and work
boots.
• Before the lift begins, check that the load hook is centered over the load and that the
rigging gear is properly set. Also check that the load stays centered during the lift.
• Watch for power lines to be sure the boom or load doesn’t get too close.
• Watch the boom deflection closely to make sure it doesn’t exceed the load radius.
• Make sure other personnel stay out of the crane operating area and always keep yourself
and others from under a suspended load.
• The rotation of the cab and counterweights presents a hazard. Stay well away from its
rotation zone.
• Avoid using your hands to control a load. Use a tag line so you can stay a safe distance
from the load.
• When an operator is moving a load horizontally, it may swing if the boom stops suddenly.
Stay well away from swinging loads.
• Also, pay close attention to weather conditions. Lightning and strong side winds can
produce serious hazards. The steel boom can act like a lightning rod and the wind pushing
on the load and boom can make cranes unstable.

16. Signal Person
Disqualification
• If subsequent actions by the signal person do not
follow agreed upon signals or uses inappropriate
signals the employer must:
• Disqualify the person
• Prohibit the person from working as a signal person
• Retrain and re-qualify the signal person
• EXAMPLES
• Not using Standard Method Signals
• Using wrong signal, e.g., booming up instead of hoisting up
• The goal of this requirement is to help prevent
miscommunication between signal person and crane
operator.

17. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements
• Signal person must be provided in each of the
following situations:
• Where point of operation view is obstructed
• When equipment is traveling and the view in the direction
of travel is obstructed
• Due to site specific safety concerns – either operator or
person handling the load determines that it is necessary
• Types of Signals
• Hand, Voice or New Signals
• A second signaler may be needed if the view of the
pick or landing area is obstructed.

18. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
• When using Hand Signals, you must use the Standard
Method
• Found in Appendix A
• Exceptions – When infeasible or where an operation or use
of an attachment is not covered in the Standard Method,
Non-standard hand signals may be used in accordance with
1926.1419(c)(2)
• Non-standard hand signals 1926.1419(c)(2)
• Must communicate with signal person, operator, and lift
director (if any) the non-standard hand signals that will be
used

19. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
New Signals – may be used where the employer
demonstrates:
• They are equally effective communication as voice,
audible, or Standard Method hand signals, or
• The New Signals comply with national consensus
standards that provides at least equally effective
communication

20. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
1419(e) Suitability
Hand, voice, or new signals and their means of
transmitting the signals to the operator must be
appropriate for the site conditions.
Example: Radio signals would not be suitable if electronic
interference on the site prohibits the signals from being
readily understood. Hand signals would not be suitable
at night or over large distances.
Note: Operators often have a say in what types of
signals will be used.

21. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
1419(f)
• During operations requiring signals, the ability to
transmit signals between the operator and signal
person must be maintained.
• If this ability is interrupted at any time, the
operator must safely stop operations requiring
signals until it is re-established and a proper signal
is given and understood.

22. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
1419(g)
• If the operator becomes aware of a safety problem
and needs to communicate with the signal person,
the operator must safely stop operations.
• Operations must not resume until the operator and
signal person agree that the problem has been
resolved.

23. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
1419(h)
• Only one person may give signals to a crane/derrick at a time,
except in circumstances covered in 1419(j) (emergencies)
1419(j)
• Anyone who becomes aware of a safety problem must alert the
operator or signal person by giving the stop or emergency stop
signal
Note: 1926.1417(y) requires the operator to obey a stop or
emergency stop signal.

24. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
1419(k)
• All directions given to the operator by the signal
person must be given from the operator’s direction
perspective.
• Meaning that the signal person must provide the signals
as if he or she was sitting in the operator’s seat and
facing the same direction as the operator

25. CFR 1926.1419 Signals – General
Requirements (continued)
1419(m)
• Communication with multiple cranes/derricks
• Must use a system to identifying the crane each signal
is for:
• For each signal, prior to giving the function/direction,
the signal person must identify the crane/derrick the
signal is for, or
• Must use equally effective method of identifying which
crane /derrick the signal is for.

26. CHAPTER 5
ELECTRONIC AND VOICE
26

27. CFR 1926.1420 Signals – Radio,
telephone or other electronic
transmission of signals
• Must test device before to ensure signal transmission is
effective, clear, and reliable.
• Signal transmission must be through a dedicated channel,
except;
• Multiple cranes/derricks and one or more signal person as may
share a dedicated channel for the purpose of coordinating
operations.
• Where a crane is being operated on or adjacent to railroad
tracks, and the actions of the crane operators need to be
coordinated with the movement of other equipment or trains on
the same or adjacent tracks.
• The operator’s reception of the signals must be by a
hands-free system.
• Hardwired intercom on tower cranes are most reliable.

28. CFR 1926.1421 -Signals – Voice Signals
– Additional Requirements
• The operator, signal person and lift director (if any) must be
able to effectively communicate in the language used.
• Prior to beginning operations, the operator, signal person and
lift director(if any) must contact each other and agree on the
voice signals that will be used. No further meetings needed
unless;
• Another worker is added or substituted
• There is confusion about the signals
• Voice signal is to be changed.
• Each voice signal must contain the following three elements,
given in the following order:
1. Function, e.g., (hoist/boom), direction
2. Distance and/or speed
3. Function, e.g., hoist/boom stop command

29. CFR 1926.1421 -Signals – Voice Signals
– Additional Requirements (continued)
Examples:
• Swing boom right 30-feet, 25-feet, 20 feet, 15-feet,
10-feet, 5-feet, two feet, swing stop.
• Load down 20-feet, load down 15-feet, load down
10-feet, load down 5- feet, load down 2-feet, load
stop.
• Load up, slow, slow, slow, load stop

30. CHAPTER 6
• TYPES OF SIGNALS

31. Two Major Types of Signals
• Mobile and Locomotive Cranes ASME B30.5-2007
• Tower Cranes ASME B30.3-2009

32. ASME B30.5-2007
Mobile and Locomotive Cranes
•General Rules
•Standard Hand Signals
•Standard Voice Signals
•Signal person Qualification
•Special Signals
•Audible Travel Signals
•Audible Emergency Signals

33. ASME B30.5-2007
• General Rules – Adopted by OSHA
• Continuous communication between COP & SP
• Any concerns by COP of requested movement required
COP to stop all crane movement
• Any instructions other than established signals requires
full stop.
• Perform hand signals slowly and deliberately
• Be in clear view of the COP and load

34. Standard Hand Signals
• ASME B30.5 – Mobile Crane Hand Signals

35. Voice Signal
Use Whipline / Auxiliary
Initiate Function
•“Use whipline”
•“Use auxiliary hoist”
•“use auxiliary drum”
Terminate Function
•NA
35

36. Voice Signal - Hoist
Initiate Function
•“Hoist”
•“Hoist up”
•“Hoist the Load”
•“Hoist Hook”
Terminate Function
•“Hoist Stop”
36

37. Voice Signal - Lower
Initiate Function
•“Lower”
•“Lower Down”
•“Lower Load”
•“Lower Hook”
Terminate
•“Lower Stop”
37

38. 38

39. 39

40. 40

41. • Voice Signal– Boom Up
Initiate Function
• “Boom up”
Terminate
• “Boom stop”
41

42. Voice Signal – Boom Down
Initiate Function
•“Boom Down”
Terminate Function
•“Boom Stop:
42

43. 43

44. 44

45. 45

46. 46

47. Voice Signal – Telescope In
Initiate Function
•“Telescope in”
Terminate Function
•“Telescope stop”
47

48. Voice Signal – Telescope Out
Initiate Function
•“Telescope out”
Terminate Function
•“Telescope stop”
48

49. Voice Signal – Use Main Hoist
Initiate Function
•“Use main hoist”
•“Use main drum”
Terminate Function
•NA
49

50. Voice Signal – Swing
Initiate Function
•“Swing right”
•“Swing left”
Terminate Function
•“Swing stop”
50

51. Voice Signal – Travel
Initiate Function
•“Travel Forward”
•“Travel Reverse”
Terminate Function
•“Travel Stop”
51

52. Voice Signal – Travel One Track
Initiate Function
•“Travel left track forward”
•“Travel left track reverse”
•“Travel right track forward”
•“Travel right track reverse”
Terminate Function
•“Travel Stop”
52

53. Voice Signal – Travel Both Tracks
Initiate Function
•“Travel both tracks forward”
•“Travel both tracks reverse”
Terminate Function
•“Travel Stop”
53

54. Voice Signal – Dog Everything
Initiate Function
•“Dog everything”
Terminate Function
NA
54

55. Hand Signals B30.3 2009 Tower
Cranes
• Nine signals in all.
• Seven are the same as for mobile cranes, e.g.,
Lower, Hoist, Stop, Emergency Stop, Move Slowly,
Swing and Dog Everything.
• Two new signals pertain to trolley and tower travel

56. Voice Signal – Travel
Initiate Function
•“Travel Forward”
•“Travel Reverse”
Terminate Function
•“Travel Stop”
56

57. Voice Signal – Trolley Travel
Initiate Function
•“Trolley in”
•“Trolley out”
Terminate Function
•“Trolley stop”
57

58. CFR 1926.1422 Hand Signal
Chart
• Must be posted on the equipment, or;
• Conspicuously posted in the vicinity of the hoisting
operations.
• Signals specified by ANSI B30.6 - 1969 .

59. CFR 1926.1422 Hand Signal
Chart (continued)

60. CHAPTER 7
• EQUPMENT OPERATION AND LIMITATIONS
• COLLAPSE INVESTIGATION

61. Equipment Operation and
Limitations
• Maximum rating (tons) – Maximum rig capability – Determined by the
Mfg. ( Metric Ton = 2,204.6 pounds)
• Gross Capacity (determined by radius and other factors, jib/outriggers)
• Maximum Net Load (accounts for weights of rigging, blocks, headache
ball, stowed fly, auxiliary boom head. Some crane manufacturers also
consider rope suspended from the top sheave as also part of the load
• As radius increases, crane capacity decreases
• Boom deflection increases radius and causes load to swing
• Effect of Quadrant: greatest when over the rear of carrier, least over
the side (All Terrain and Truck cranes)
• Longer boom length generally means reduced lifting capacity and
greater boom deflection.
• Two Blocking
• Personnel clear of lift area

62. 62

63. 63

64. 64

65. 65

66. Equipment Operation and
Limitations (continued)
• Dynamic Loading – Extra force when load is moving. Not
accounted for in the load chart.
• Control through use of tag lines and proper rigging.
• Plan lift to avoid sudden stops.
• Prohibit side loading of crane.
• Know and follow manufacturers recommendations for wind
speed.
• Boom Deflection – affects the positioning of the load.
The amount of deflection varies with boom angle and
length as well as load weight. Also, equipment with
lattice/cable supported booms has different deflection
characteristics than equipment with non-lattice booms
(hydraulic ram extensible booms).

68. Deflection Hazard Relating to
Signaling
• The signal person intends to signal to the operator to hoist up,
since the load needs to be raised straight up. However, the signal
person uses the standard signal for booming up in the mistaken
belief that this signal is for hoisting up. A struck-by or crushed-by
incident could result because, when booming up, the load will
move laterally as well as vertically. A failure to understand what it
is that the crane needs to do to accomplish a task can also lead to
struck-by or crushed-by incidents.
• As a crane booms down, boom deflection tends to increase,
which has the effect of lowering the load more than if there were
no boom deflection. If the signal person is unfamiliar with this
boom characteristic, he or she may fail to signal in time for the
load to stop at the correct point or may cause the load to
descend too quickly.

69. Boom Deflection Control
• Needs to be discussed with the operator at the beginning of the job
• Determined by load weight and boom length
• Boom crane up prior to hoist signal
• Hoist up until rigging is tight and boom starts to deflect, then boom
up until load comes up or boom tip starts moving towards crane
• If obstructions above boom, boom down on load contact with ground
• Operators have to precisely adjust the boom elevation and winch
together to keep a load from drifting out when it is lifted off the
ground
• Modern cranes can automatically compensate for this. Lift Adjuster,
Load Com are names manufacturers use to describe this feature

70. CHAPTER 8
• ELECTRICAL

71. Electrical

72. Power Lines
• Identify Work Zone
Work Zone =
Marking boundaries
or
360 degrees around crane up to maximum working radius
• Determine if any part of the equipment, load line
or load could get closer that 20/50 feet to a power
line.
• 20 feet clearance for lines up to 350KV
• 50 feet clearance for lines up to 1000KV
• Over 1000KV minimum clearance determined by
the utility owner or qualified RPE

73. 73
Could you get within
20/50 feet of power
line?
YES NO
Option #1
Deenergize &
Ground
Encroachment
Prevention Measures
(Equipment Operations)
Option #3
Ask Utility for
Voltage and
Use Table A
(with minimum
clearance distance)
Option #2
20-foot
clearance
No further
action
• Planning meeting
• If tag lines used Non-conductive
• Elevated warning lines, barricade
or line of signs
•PLUS (Choose one):
• Proximity alarm, spotter, warning
device, range limiter, or insulating link

74. Training – Operator & Crew
• Electrocution from touching energized equipment
• Operator should remain inside the vehicle
• The safest means of evacuating equipment that
may be energized
• The danger of the potentially energized zone
around the equipment
• Limitations of an insulating link, proximity alarm
and range control device
• Proper grounding procedures

75. Minimum Clearance Distances
75
Table A – Minimum Clearance Distances
Voltage (nominal, kV,
alternating current)
Minimum clearance distance
(feet)
up to 50 10
over 50 to 200 15
over 200 to 350 20
over 350 to 500 25
over 500 to 750 35
over 750 to 1000 45
over 1000 (as established by the power line
owner/operator or registered
professional engineer who is a qualified
person with respect to electrical power
transmission and distribution)

76. Intentionally Working Closer Than Table
A Zone
76
Must Show:
• Staying outside zone
is infeasible
• Infeasible to
de-energize and
ground
1. Power line owner – sets minimum
approach distance
2. Planning meeting – minimum procedures
- Dedicated spotter
- Elevated warning line or barricade
- Insulating link/device
- Nonconductive rigging
- Range limiter (if equipped)
- Nonconductive tag line (if used)
- Barricades - 10 feet from equipment
- Limit access to essential workers
- Prohibit non-operator workers from
touching above insulating link
- Properly ground crane
- Deactivate automatic re-energizer
- Insulating line cover-up installed
All of the following are required:

77. CHAPTER 8
• CRANE STABILITY
• BOOM COLLAPSE CAUSES
• KEEPING CLEAR OF THE LOAD

78. Crane Stability
• Crane deck must be level and remain level during the lift. This is
determined at set up. Every degree out of level reduces the
capacities in the load chart by 25%.
• Outriggers set on firm, level supporting surface.
• Outriggers fully extended, or to manufacturer’s
recommendations.
• Tires of the crane, when set up, shall be clear of the ground and
must not be supporting any of the weight of the crane or the
capacities of “on rubber” applies.
• Radius and boom length is determined at set-up. The shorter the
radius and or boom, the greater the crane capacity.
• Load Loss - Need Safety Latches on Hooks.
• Synthetic sling padding to protect from abrasive or sharp surfaces

79. Boom Collapse Common
Causes
• Improper positioning of the crane
• Exceeding lifting capacity
• Soil too soft to support outriggers
• Load moved too quickly
• Oblique pulling of load
• Side loading
• Improper erection of crane
• Boom contact with structure
• Load contact with boom

80. Keeping clear of the load
• Where available, hoisting routes must minimize
exposure to employees.
• Keep out of areas where a load can swing
• Use tag line instead of your hands to control the load
• No worker in the fall zone, except for;
• Those hooking, unhooking or guiding a load
• Engaged in initial attachment of the load to a component or
structure
• Operating a concrete hopper

81. Keeping clear of the load (continued)
• Workers in the fall zone (area under the load) are
required to:
• Have load rigged by qualified rigger.
• Use hooks with self-closing latches or equivalent; exception
– “J” hooks permitted for wooden trusses
• During Tilt-up or tilt-down;
• No employees must be directly under the load
• Only essential workers in the fall zone (but not directly
under) – workers guiding load, those closely monitoring and
giving instructions regarding the loads movement, those
detaching or initially attaching to another component or
structure.

82. Signaling Guidelines for
Riggers• Load secure and properly balanced before signaling to lift.
• Verify that planned lift and swing paths are clear of personnel
and free of obstructions.
• Verify that the load is free to be lifted and clear of obstruction
before giving hoist signal.
• Verify that ropes are not twisted around each other before
giving hoist signal.
• Signal the operator to boom or swing until the hook is centered
over the load before hoisting.
• Do not direct load movement such that the crane, rope, or load
contacts any obstruction.
• Do not give load movement signals while personnel are on the
load or hook, unless in a personnel basket.
• Do not direct load movements over personnel.
• If the load must remain suspended, give the dog everything
signal.

83. Moving The Load
• The load is secured and properly balanced in the sling or lifting device
before it is lifted.
• The lift and swing paths are clear of obstructions and personnel.
• Before starting to lift, the following conditions will be verified.
• The load is free to be lifted.
• Multiple part lines are not twisted around each other in such a manner that
all of the lines will not separate upon application of the load.
• The hook is brought over the load in such a manner as to minimize
swinging.
• The correct slings have been selected for the weight to be lifted.
• During lifting, care will be taken that:
• Acceleration or deceleration of the moving load is accomplished in a smooth
manner.
• Load, boom, or other parts of the machine do not contact any obstruction.

85. Test Time
• 50 question written test & practical test
• Knowledge and understanding of the type of signals
used.
• Be competent in the application of the signals used.
• Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and
limitations, including the crane dynamics, involved in
swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from
hoisting loads.
• Understand the relevant requirements of OSHA
standard 29CFR 1926.1422 and 1428