Making Synapses · Bringing Knowledge to Mankind
ConstructionGiving the stop signal to a crane
Only one person guides the crane, but anyone on the site can stop it. When a worker sees a safety problem, when the signals are lost, or when the operator sees something wrong, the lift stops at once and only starts again when it is safe. You practice giving the stop and what comes after it.
Free to startScenarios
- A worker on the ground sees a safety problem.
- The radio goes silent or the operator loses sight of the signal.
- The operator sees a safety problem and needs to talk to the signal person.
The steps
- Whoever becomes aware of a safety problem alerts the operator or the signal person by giving the stop or emergency stop signal.
- Stop: arm extended horizontally to the side, palm down, swung back and forth.
- Emergency stop: both arms extended horizontally to the side, palms down, swung back and forth.
- The operator obeys a stop or emergency stop signal, no matter who gives it.
- If the signals between operator and signal person are interrupted at any time, the operator safely stops the operations that need signals.
- Those operations wait until the signals are reestablished and a proper signal is given and understood.
- If the operator sees a safety problem and needs to talk to the signal person, the operator safely stops; the work resumes only when both agree the problem is solved.
- Whenever there is a safety concern, the operator may stop and refuse to handle loads until a qualified person has determined that safety is assured.
Safety rules that stop the station
- The operator obeys a stop or emergency stop, irrespective of who gives it.
- No operation that needs signals continues while the signals are lost.
To pass
- The stop and emergency stop given as the chart draws them, the moment a problem is seen.
- The crane stopped safely and restarted only with a proper signal, given and understood.
- Operator and signal person agree the problem is solved before the work resumes.
Official source
Federal · OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1417(y), 1926.1418 and 1926.1419
29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, Cranes and derricks in construction
GovInfo publishes 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC free: 1926.1419(f), (g) and (j) say when the lift stops, and 1926.1417(y) that the operator obeys any stop.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by OSHA, any crane maker or any certification or training provider. Agency and rule names are named only to describe the content.