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ConstructionStandard Crane Hand Signals
Twenty flashcards to name each federal standard hand signal for cranes from its gesture.
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20 cards
- One arm straight out to the side, palm down, swung back and forth: which signal?
- Stop.
- Both arms straight out to the sides, palms down, swung back and forth: which signal?
- Emergency Stop.
- Upper arm out to the side, forearm and index finger pointing straight up, hand making small circles: which signal?
- Hoist.
- Arm and index finger pointing down, hand making small circles: which signal?
- Lower.
- Arm straight out to the side, thumb up, other fingers closed: which signal?
- Raise Boom.
- Arm straight out to the side, thumb down, other fingers closed: which signal?
- Lower Boom.
- Arm held out level, index finger pointing the way the boom should go: which signal?
- Swing.
- Hands in front at waist level, thumbs pointing at each other, other fingers closed: which signal?
- Retract Telescoping Boom.
- Hands in front at waist level, thumbs pointing outward, other fingers closed: which signal?
- Extend Telescoping Boom.
- Hands held together at waist level: which signal?
- Dog Everything.
- Arm out to the side, thumb up, fingers opening and closing while the load should move: which signal?
- Raise the Boom and Lower the Load.
- Arm out to the side, thumb down, fingers opening and closing while the load should move: which signal?
- Lower the Boom and Raise the Load.
- All fingers up, arm pushed out level and back in a pushing motion toward the direction of travel: which signal?
- Travel / Tower Travel.
- One hand placed in front of the hand that gives the action signal: which signal?
- Move Slowly.
- A hand taps the top of the head, then the regular signal follows: which signal?
- Use Main Hoist.
- Arm bent with the forearm vertical, the elbow tapped with the other hand, then the regular signal: which signal?
- Use Auxiliary Hoist (whipline).
- Fists rotating around each other in front of the body: which signal?
- Crawler Crane Travel, Both Tracks: rotating away from the body means forward, toward the body means backward.
- One fist raised on one side while the other fist rotates in front of the body: which signal?
- Crawler Crane Travel, One Track: the raised fist marks the track to lock; the rotating fist shows where the other track travels.
- Palm up, fingers closed, thumb pointing the way, hand jerked sideways: which signal?
- Trolley Travel, toward where the trolley should move.
- Where must the hand signal chart be?
- Posted on the equipment, or posted where it is easy to see near the hoisting work.
Official sources
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), via GovInfo (GPO)
Appendix A to 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC: Standard Hand Signals (CFR 2025 edition)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), via GovInfo (GPO)
29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC: Cranes and Derricks in Construction (CFR 2025 edition)
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