Stop
Arm straight out to the side, palm down. Swing the arm back and forth horizontally.
Learn about cranes
Crane hand signals: the standard signals for mobile cranes, explained
The short answer
Crane hand signals are a standard set of arm and hand motions a signal person uses to direct the operator when the operator can't see the load. OSHA's crane rule for construction lists them in Appendix A to Subpart CC. Only a qualified signal person directs the lift, but anyone on site can give the stop signal.
Stop
Emergency stop
Both arms straight out to the sides, palms down. Swing both arms back and forth horizontally.
Load
Hoist
Upper arm out to the side, forearm and index finger pointing straight up. Move the hand and finger in small circles.
Lower
Arm and index finger pointing down. Move the hand and finger in small circles.
Use main hoist
Tap the top of your head with your hand. Then give the regular signal for the motion you want.
Use whipline (auxiliary hoist)
Bend one arm at the elbow with the forearm straight up, and tap that elbow with your other hand. Then give the regular signal for the motion you want.
Boom
Raise boom
Arm straight out to the side, fingers closed, thumb pointing up.
Lower boom
Arm straight out to the side, fingers closed, thumb pointing down.
Raise the boom and lower the load
Arm straight out to the side with the thumb pointing up. Open and close the fingers for as long as you want the load to move.
Lower the boom and raise the load
Arm straight out to the side with the thumb pointing down. Open and close the fingers for as long as you want the load to move.
Swing & travel
Swing
Arm straight out, index finger pointing in the direction the boom should swing.
Travel
Arm extended with all fingers pointing up. Push the arm out and back in a pushing motion toward the direction of travel.
Crawler crane travel, both tracks
Rotate both fists around each other in front of the body. Rotating away from the body means travel forward; rotating toward the body means travel backward. Used on crawler cranes only.
Crawler crane travel, one track
Raise one fist in front of the body to show which track to lock. Rotate the other fist vertically in front of the body to show the direction the other track should travel. Used on crawler cranes only.
Telescoping boom
Extend telescoping boom
Both hands in front of the body at waist level, fists closed, thumbs pointing outward away from each other.
Retract telescoping boom
Both hands in front of the body at waist level, fists closed, thumbs pointing in toward each other.
Extend telescoping boom (one hand)
One fist in front of the chest, with the thumb tapping the chest.
Retract telescoping boom (one hand)
One fist in front of the chest, thumb pointing outward, with the heel of the fist tapping the chest.
Other
Move slowly
Hold one hand still in front of the hand that is giving the motion signal.
Dog everything
Hands clasped together in front of the body at waist level.
Trolley travel
Palm up, fingers closed, thumb pointing in the direction of motion. Jerk the hand horizontally in the direction the trolley should travel. Used on cranes with a trolley, such as tower cranes.
Illustrations are original drawings by Skyhook Crane based on the standard hand signals in OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, Appendix A (the one-hand telescoping signals follow the ASME B30.5-based chart published by Washington State L&I). They are for education only and are not a substitute for signal person training and qualification.
Where these signals come from
The signals on this page follow the Standard Method in Appendix A to OSHA's crane rule (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC). OSHA requires the Standard Method for hand signals unless it is infeasible or doesn't cover the operation. The two one-hand telescoping signals are not drawn in OSHA's appendix. They come from the standard mobile crane chart based on ASME B30.5, as published by Washington State L&I.
Who is allowed to signal a crane
Under OSHA 1926.1419, a signal person is required when:
- The operator can't fully see the point where the load is being set.
- The operator's view ahead is blocked while the equipment travels.
- The operator or the person handling the load decides one is needed because of site conditions.
The signal person must be qualified under OSHA 1926.1428. That means knowing the signals being used and applying them well, and having a basic understanding of how the crane works and its limits, including how a load behaves when it swings and stops. The person must pass an oral or written test and a practical test, through a third-party evaluator or the employer's own qualified evaluator. Only one person may signal the crane at a time.
Agreeing on signals before the lift
Before any lift, the operator and signal person need to be on the same page. OSHA's rules include:
- Non-standard hand signals are allowed only when the standard ones won't work, and the operator, signal person and lift director (if there is one) must agree on them before the operation.
- Directions are given from the operator's point of view. Swing left means the operator's left.
- If communication breaks down, the operator must safely stop until it is back and a proper signal is given and understood.
- If the operator sees a problem and needs to talk to the signal person, the operator safely stops, and work resumes only after both agree the problem is fixed.
Anyone can give the stop signal
Directing the lift is one person's job, but stopping it is everyone's. OSHA 1926.1419(j) says anyone who becomes aware of a safety problem must alert the operator or signal person by giving the stop or emergency stop signal, and OSHA 1926.1417(y) requires the operator to obey it. If you see something wrong, give the stop signal: one arm out, palm down, swinging back and forth.
Voice and radio signals
Hand signals need a clear line of sight. On many rooftop lifts the landing spot is out of the operator's view, so crews use voice signals over a radio. Under OSHA 1926.1421, the operator, signal person and lift director (if there is one) must agree on the voice signals before work starts. Each voice signal has three parts, in order: the function (such as hoist or boom), the direction with distance or speed, and then stop. Everyone also has to be able to communicate clearly in the language being used.
Curious how this plays out on a real job? See how a crane lift works.
For learning, not a substitute for training
This page is for education. Reading about crane signals does not make anyone a qualified signal person. OSHA requires testing and documented qualification, and every crew should confirm its signals before the lift.
Have a lift coming up? Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 to schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Who is allowed to give crane hand signals?
A qualified signal person directs the crane. Under OSHA 1926.1428, that person must know the signals, apply them well, understand the basics of how the crane works and its limits, and pass an oral or written test plus a practical test. Only one person may signal the crane at a time. The exception is the stop signal, which anyone can give.
Can anyone stop a crane?
Yes. OSHA says anyone who becomes aware of a safety problem must alert the operator or signal person by giving the stop or emergency stop signal, and the operator must obey it. The stop signal is one arm out to the side, palm down, swung back and forth. Emergency stop is the same motion with both arms.
Do crane crews always use hand signals?
No. OSHA allows hand, voice, audible and certain new types of signals, as long as they suit the site. Voice signals over a radio are common when the operator can't see the landing spot. The crew must agree on voice signals before work starts, and each one gives the function, the direction with distance or speed, and then stop.
What does the use whipline signal mean?
It tells the operator to run the auxiliary hoist, also called the whipline, instead of the main hoist. The signal person bends one arm at the elbow with the forearm straight up and taps that elbow with the other hand, then gives the regular signal for the motion. Tapping the top of the head means use the main hoist.
What happens if the operator loses contact with the signal person?
The operator must safely stop any operation that depends on signals. Under OSHA 1926.1419, work stays stopped until communication is reestablished and a proper signal is given and understood. That is one more reason to agree on signals and check radios before the lift starts, so nothing is left to guesswork once the load is in the air.
Got something that needs lifting?
Call or text with what you’re lifting, about how much it weighs, and how far it needs to go from where the truck can park. He’ll confirm the lift and get you on the schedule.