Tech Tips

Crane Signals &  Communications

 

If you’re like many, and believe that everyone knows crane signals and can communicate effectively with crane operators, it’s probably time to rethink this idea.  Regulations released in the 2004 ASME B30.5 on Mobile Cranes includes the following paragraph on signal persons.

 

“ASME B30.5-3.3.3 Signal Person Qualifications 
Prior to signaling crane operations, all signal persons shall be tested by a designated person and demonstrate their qualifications in the following areas: 

(a) basic understanding of crane operation and limitations, 

(b) standard hand signals described in 5-3.3.4 whenever hand signals are used,
(c) standard voice signals described in 5-3.3.5 whenever voice signals are used."

 

This Tech Tip will help you understand what this requirement means to your job sites.

First, this paragraph does not exclude anyone, but includes everyone who signals a crane.  This requirement mandates testing and that signal persons demonstrate their ability.  Strong enough language to believe the ASME committee noticed sufficient evidence of unqualified signal persons contributing to the accident rate. 

Many signal persons have no idea of what a mobile crane can or cannot safely do.  There is very little understanding by signal persons regarding forward stability, backward stability, structural competence, quadrants of operation, use of accessories, gross load, net load, radius, or how the capacity of a mobile crane decreases with lowered or extended booms, etc.  Ask most signal persons to interpret crane capacity based on information provided in a load chart and you will probably get a blank stare, or worse, an attempted explanation that hopes you won’t catch on to their serious lack of knowledge.

Cane operators are acutely aware that signal persons generally lack sufficient crane knowledge, so they only use what they can trust.  Unfortunately this leads to standards violations and accidents.  You may find your operators only use the signal person for a general indication of where a load is going, or for guidance on close clearances.  Yet, signals are supposed to be continuous.  See how your job site complies with the following:

ASME B30.5-3.3.1 General 
(a) Communication between the crane operator and the signal person shall be maintained continuously during all crane movements. If at any time communication is disrupted, the operator shall Stop all crane movements until communication is restored and a proper signal is given and understood.

And, what about special signals.  Because we cannot predict all the issues that rule out the use of standard signals ASME B30.5 provides the following:

ASME B30.5-3.3.6 Special Signals 
For operations or crane attachments not covered (by the standard) additions to or modifications of the standard signal procedures may be required. In all such cases, the required special signals shall be agreed upon in advance by the person directing lifting operations, the crane operator, and the signal person. These special signals should not be in conflict with the standard signals.

Signals and effective communications between signal person and crane operator are critically important.  Training with follow-up testing can qualify your personnel to this ASME standard and will go a long way toward improving safety on your jobsites.

If you have questions or comments about this or other Tech Tips, or have topics you would like covered in future Tech Tips, send your comments to Newstaff@cranetech.com.