Practice 000.653.3201

Date 01Apr2011

Attachment 05Page 1 of 2

cranes and rigging — introduction/preuse

SIGNAL PERSON TRAINING AND FAQs

What does a signal person need to know?

  • Know and understand the type of signals used at the worksite.
  • Proficient in using these signals.
  • Understand the operations and limitations of the equipment, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging, raising, lowering, and stopping loads and in boom deflection from hoisting loads.
  • Know and understand the relevant signal person qualification requirements specified in applicable regulations.
  • Pass an oral or written test and a practical test.
  • Hand signals:

-When using hand signals, the standard ANSI signals must be used.

Exception:Where use of the standard ANSI hand signals is infeasible, nonstandard hand signals may be used.

-Nonstandard hand signals. When using nonstandard hand signals, the signal person, operator, and lift director (where there is one) must contact each other before the operation and agree on the nonstandard hand signals that will be used.

  • New signals. Signals other than hand, voice, or audible signals may be used where the employer demonstrates that the:

-new signals provide at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or standard ANSI hand signals, or

-new signals comply with a national consensus standard that provides at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or standard ANSI hand signals.

  • Suitability. The signals used (hand, voice, audible, or new), and means of transmitting the signals to the operator (such as direct line of sight, video, and radio), must be appropriate for the site conditions.
  • Testing the device(s) used to transmit signals to ensure that the signal transmission is effective, clear, and reliable.
  • Voice signals must contain the following 3 elements, given in the following order:

-Function (such as hoist, boom), direction

-Distance and/or speed

-Function, stop command

  • Authority to stop work when he/she:

-Is confused

-Sees a potential hazard

-Multiple, unauthorized signals are being given

How does a signal person become trained?

Employers must use one of the following options to ensure that a signal person is trained:

  • Employer’s evaluator (not a third party). The employer’s evaluator assesses the individual, determines the individual meets the training requirements, and provides documentation of that determination. This assessment may not be relied on by other employers.
  • Third party evaluator. The signal person has documentation from a third party evaluator showing that he or she meets the qualification requirements. This assessment may be relied on by other employers.

How will an employer show that a signal person is appropriately qualified?

Employers must make the documentation of the signal person’s training available at the worksite, either in paper form or electronically. The documentation must specify each type of signaling (such as hand signals and radio signals) for which the signal person has been trained under the requirements of the standard.

What documentation is acceptable?

Signal persons should be designated as Competent Persons on Form 000.653.F0310 using the process in Practice 000.502.1000. Other forms of documentation may be acceptable.

Health, Safety, and Environmental