Crane Signal Person and Rigging Awareness

Three situations

A signal person must be provided in each of these situations:

1. Blind lift: the point of operation (the load travel, or the area near or at load placement) is not in full view of the operator.
2. Blocked travel: the equipment is traveling and the view in the direction of travel is obstructed.
3. Someone calls for one: because of site-specific safety concerns, the operator or the person handling the load decides one is necessary.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1419(a) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(a)(3)

How signals must be given

• Signals are by hand, voice, audible, or new signals. New signals (anything other than hand, voice or audible) may be used only where the employer demonstrates they provide at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals, or comply with a national consensus standard that does.
• Hand signals must use the Standard Method (Appendix A to Subpart CC). Non-standard hand signals are allowed only where the Standard Method is infeasible or does not cover the operation or attachment. Then the signal person, operator and lift director (if there is one) must agree on them before the operation.
• Only one person may give signals to a crane at a time. The one exception is the stop or emergency stop signal (next page).
• Give all directions from the operator's direction perspective, not your own.
• Talking to more than one crane? Before each signal, identify which crane it is for, or use an equally effective method.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1419(b) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(h) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(k) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(m)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(d) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(m)(2)

Stop means stop

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1419(j) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(f) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(e) · 29 CFR 1926.1419(g) · 29 CFR 1926.1417(y)

Qualified before the first signal

The employer of the signal person must ensure each signal person meets the qualification requirements before giving any signals, using one of two options:

The documentation must be available at the site and must list each type of signaling (hand, radio, etc.) the person is qualified for.

What a signal person must do

• Know and understand the type of signals used (the Standard Method, if hand signals)
• Be competent in applying those signals
• Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection
• Know the relevant requirements of 1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and 1926.1428
• Prove it through an oral or written test and a practical test

If later actions show the person does not meet these requirements, the employer must not let them keep signaling until re-training and a re-assessment confirm they do.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1428(a) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(a)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(c)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(c)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.1428(b)

Inspect, mark, and remove from service

• Rigging equipment must be inspected before use on each shift and as necessary during use. Defective rigging must be removed from service.
• Each day before use, the sling and all fastenings and attachments must be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. More inspections are done during use where service conditions warrant.
• Damaged or defective slings are immediately removed from service.
• Rigging must have permanently affixed, legible markings showing the recommended safe working load. No legible tag, no use.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(i) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(iii)

Remove these slings from service

These are the removal conditions the rule lists for these three sling types. Find any one of them and the sling comes out of service.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(e)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.251(d)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(4)(iv) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(14)

Rules while you rig

• Do not load rigging beyond the safe working load on its markings.
• For alloy steel chain, do not use job or shop hooks and links, or makeshift fasteners made from bolts, rods and the like.

Wire rope sling use rules

• Do not shorten slings with knots, bolts or other makeshift devices.
• Do not kink sling legs.
• In a basket hitch, balance the load to prevent slippage.
• Pad or protect slings from the sharp edges of the load.
• Keep hands and fingers out from between the sling and the load while it is being tightened.
• Shock loading is prohibited.
• Do not pull a sling from under a load that is resting on it.

When rigging is not in use, remove it from the immediate work area so it is not a hazard.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(ii) · 29 CFR 1926.251(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(9) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(10) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(11) · 29 CFR 1926.251(c)(12) · 29 CFR 1926.251(a)(3)