This document provides information on hand signals for crane operations, including: - It outlines the ANSI B30.5 standard for hand signals and requirements for a qualified signal person anytime the operator cannot see the load. - It describes the standard hand signals for various crane functions like hoisting, lowering, swinging, and traveling. - It states that hand signals should only be used for short distances and radios are recommended for safety. - It includes diagrams of the standard hand signals and states that all signals must be clearly understood by the operator before a response.

1. Hand Signals for
Crane Operations

2. Hand Signals

3. 1. ANSI B30.5 Hand Signals
2. Standard Hand Signals
Who ever is in charge of any crane or hoist operations
using any crane or hoist must ensure that a competent,
qualified signal person is assigned to work with the
crane for as long as it is working within their area of
responsibility.
Mobile Crane Communications

4.  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 Signals

5. 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 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 Requirements

6.  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.
Signal Person Requirements

7. 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 Procedures

8. 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 Procedures

9. 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 Signals

10.  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 Communication

11. Hand signals
shall be post
on the
equipment or
conspicuously
at the jobsite.
ANSI B30.5 – Hand Signal Chart

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

13. Hoist/Raise the Load: With the forearm vertical,
forefinger pointing up, move hand in small
horizontal circle.
Hand Signals - Hoist

14. Lower: With the
arm extended
downward,
forefinger pointing
down move hand
in small horizontal
circle
Hand Signals - Lower

15. Use Main Hoist: Tap fist on top of head then use
regular signals.
Hand Signals – Main Hoist

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

17. Raise Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with
thumb pointing upward.
Hand Signals – Raise Boom

18. Lower Boom: Arm extended fingers closed with
thumb pointing downward.
Hand Signals – Lower Boom

19. 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 Slowly

20. 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 Load

21. 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 Load

22. Swing: Arm extended, point with finger in
direction of swing of boom.
Hand Signals - Swing

23. Stop: Arm extended, palm down, move arm
back and forth horizontally.
Hand Signals - Stop
Safety Consulting, SOP

24. Emergency Stop: Both arms extended, palms
down, move arms back and forth horizontally.
Hand Signals – Emergency Stop
Safety Consulting, SOP

25. Travel: Arm extended forward hand open and
slightly raised make a pushing motion in direction
of travel
Hand Signals - Travel
Safety Consulting, SOP

26. Dog Everything: Clasp hands in front of body.
Hand Signals Dog Everything
Safety Consulting, SOP

27. 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 Tracks
Safety Consulting, SOP

28. 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 Track
Safety Consulting, SOP

29. Extend Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
front of body with thumbs pointing outward.
Hand Signals – Extend Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP

30. Retract Boom: (Hydraulic cranes) Both fists in
front of body with thumbs pointing towards each
other.
Hand Signals – Retract Boom
Safety Consulting, SOP

31. Extend Boom – One Hand Signal: (Hydraulic
cranes) One fist in front of chest with thumb
tapping on chest.
Hand Signals – Extend Boom
One Hand
Safety Consulting, SOP

32. 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 Boom
One Hand
Safety Consulting, SOP

33. 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 Signals
Safety Consulting, SOP

34. 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 Signals
Safety Consulting, SOP

35. 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 – Special
Hand Signals
Safety Consulting, SOP

36. 1. Identify this hand signal?
A. Travel One Track
B. Travel Both Tracks
C. Dog Everything
D. Stop
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

37. 2. Identify this hand signal?
A. Stop
B. Move Slowly
C. Dog Everything
D. Emergency Stop
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

38. 3. Identify this hand signal?
A. Extend Boom
B. Raise Boom
C. Retract Boom
D. Travel To Me
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

39. 4. Identify this hand signal?
A. Raise Boom Lower
Load
B. Raise Boom Slowly
C. Lower The Boom And
Raise The Load
D. None Of The Above
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

40. 5. Identify this hand signal?
A. Travel Forward
B. Travel One Track
C. Travel Both Tracks
D. None Of The Above
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

41. 6. Identify this hand signal?
A. Raise Boom
B. Extend Boom
C. Retract Boom
D. None Of The Above
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

42. 7. Identify this hand signal?
A. Raise Boom
Slowly
B. Hoist Slowly
C. Swing Slowly
D. None Of The
Above
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

43. 9. Identify this hand signal?
A. Raise Boom
Slowly
B. Use Main
Hoist
C. Use Auxiliary
Hoist
D. Dog
Everything
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

44. 10. Identify this hand signal?
A. Use Auxiliary
Hoist
B. Swing Left
C. Travel One
Track
D. Dog
Everything
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

45. 11. The operator will only respond to
signals only from:?
A. Designated
Signalperson
B. Qualified
Signalperson
C. Experienced
Signalperson
D. All Of The Above
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

46. 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
D. None Of The
Above
Hand Signals - Test
Safety Consulting, SOP

47. Test Time!!
Questions?
Construction Safety & Risk Consulting