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Copyright 2010–2014 National Commission for the Certication of Crane Operators. All rights reserved. SGP RM REV 05/14
Sec. 1926.1419 Signals—general requirements
(a) A signal person must be provided in each of the
following situations:
(1) e point of operation, meaning the load travel or
the area near or at load placement, is not in full view of the
operator.
(2) When the equipment is traveling, the view in the
direction of travel is obstructed.
(3) Due to site specic safety concerns, either the opera-
tor or the person handling the load determines that it is
necessary.
(b) Types of signals. Signals to operators must be by
hand, voice, audible, or new signals.
(c) Hand signals.
(1) When using hand signals, the Standard Method
must be used (see Appendix A of this subpart). Exception:
Where use of the Standard Method for hand signals is
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 paragraph (c)(2)
of this section.
(2) Non-standard hand signals. When using non-
standard hand signals, the signal person, operator, and
lift director (where there is one) must contact each other
prior to the operation and agree on the non-standard hand
signals that will be used.
(d) New signals. Signals other than hand, voice, or
audible signals may be used where the employer demon-
strates that:
(1) e new signals provide at least equally eective
communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method
hand signals, or
(2) e new signals comply with a national consensus
standard that provides at least equally eective communi-
cation as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals.
(e) Suitability. e signals used (hand, voice, audible, or
new), and means of transmitting the signals to the opera-
tor (such as direct line of sight, video, radio, etc.), must be
appropriate for the site conditions.
(f) During operations requiring signals, the ability to
transmit signals between the operator and signal person
must be maintained. If that ability is interrupted at any
time, the operator must safely stop operations requiring
signals until it is reestablished and a proper signal is given
and understood.
(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.
(h) Only one person may give signals to a crane/derrick
at a time, except in circumstances covered by paragraph (j)
of this section.
(i) [Reserved.]
(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: Sec. 1926.1417(y) requires
the operator to obey a stop or emergency stop signal).
(k) All directions given to the operator by the signal
person must be given from the operator’s direction
perspective.
(l) [Reserved.]
(m) Communication with multiple cranes/derricks.
Where a signal person(s) is in communication with more
than one crane/derrick, a system must be used for identi-
fying the crane/derrick each signal is for, as follows:
(1) for each signal, prior to giving the function/direc-
tion, the signal person must identify the crane/derrick the
signal is for, or
(2) must use an equally eective method of identifying
which crane/derrick the signal is for.
Sec. 1926.1420 Signals—radio, telephone or
other electronic transmission of signals
(a) e device(s) used to transmit signals must be tested
on site before beginning operations to ensure that the
signal transmission is eective, clear, and reliable.
(b) Signal transmission must be through a dedicated
channel, except:
(1) Multiple cranes/derricks and one or more signal
persons may share a dedicated channel for the purpose of
coordinating operations.
(2) Where a crane is being operated on or adjacent to
railroad tracks, and the actions of the crane operator need
to be coordinated with the movement of other equipment
or trains on the same or adjacent tracks.
(c) e operator’s reception of signals must be by a
hands-free system.
CHAPTER 3:
OSHA 29 CFR 1926—Signal Person
Requirements and Qualications