Rigging hand signals are the standard gestures a signal person uses to direct a crane operator when the operator cannot see the load or its path. In US construction the standard set is the “Standard Method” in Appendix A to Subpart CC of 29 CFR 1926. Hand signals must follow it unless that is infeasible or the operation is not covered, and then the operator, signal person and lift director must agree on any non-standard signal before the lift.
This page lists the signals in a table, explains when a signal person is required, who may give signals and what the standard says about radio and voice. It follows the US OSHA text, checked on 1 Nov 2026. Other countries and some sites use their own rules, so check the one that applies to you.
The standard crane hand signals (OSHA Appendix A)
The wording below paraphrases the OSHA text. For the drawings, use the OSHA appendix itself, and post a chart at the crane: 29 CFR 1926.1422 requires hand signal charts to be posted on the equipment or conspicuously in the vicinity of the hoisting operations.
| Group | Signal | How it is given |
|---|---|---|
| Hoist | Hoist | Upper arm out to the side, forearm and index finger pointing straight up; hand and finger make small circles |
| Hoist | Lower | Arm and index finger pointing down; hand and finger make small circles |
| Hoist | Use main hoist | Tap the top of the head with a hand, then give the regular signal for the action wanted |
| Hoist | Use auxiliary hoist (whipline) | Arm bent at the elbow, forearm vertical; tap the elbow with the other hand, then give the regular signal |
| Boom | Raise boom | Arm out horizontally to the side, thumb up, other fingers closed |
| Boom | Lower boom | Arm out horizontally to the side, thumb down, other fingers closed |
| Boom | Raise the boom and lower the load | Arm out horizontally to the side, thumb up; fingers open and close while load movement is wanted |
| Boom | Lower the boom and raise the load | Arm out horizontally to the side, thumb down; fingers open and close while load movement is wanted |
| Boom | Extend telescoping boom | Hands in front at waist level, thumbs pointing outward, other fingers closed |
| Boom | Retract telescoping boom | Hands in front at waist level, thumbs pointing at each other, other fingers closed |
| Swing and travel | Swing | Arm out horizontally; index finger points in the direction the boom is to swing |
| Swing and travel | Travel and tower travel | All fingers pointing up; arm extended out and back in a pushing motion in the direction of travel |
| Swing and travel | Crawler crane travel, both tracks | Fists rotated around each other in front of the body; rotation away from the body means forward, toward the body means backward |
| Swing and travel | Crawler crane travel, one track | Raise a fist in front of the body toward the direction the other track is to travel; this shows the track to be locked |
| Swing and travel | Trolley travel | Palm up, fingers closed, thumb pointing in the direction of motion; hand jerked horizontally in the direction the trolley is to travel |
| Stop | Stop | Arm out horizontally to the side, palm down, swung back and forth |
| Stop | Emergency stop | Both arms out horizontally to the side, palms down, swung back and forth |
| Stop | Dog everything | Hands held together at waist level |
| Modifier | Move slowly | One hand is placed in front of the hand giving the action signal |
Two points cause most confusion. “Move slowly” is a modifier added to another signal, not a signal on its own. “Dog everything” means hold all motion where it is. Give it before the signal person moves position or confers with someone.
When a signal person is required
Under 29 CFR 1926.1419(a), a signal person must be provided in each of these situations:
- The point of operation, meaning the load travel or the area near or at load placement, is not in full view of the operator.
- The equipment is traveling and the view in the direction of travel is obstructed.
- Because of site-specific safety concerns, either the operator or the person handling the load decides it is necessary.
Signals may be given by hand, voice, audible signal or a new signal. A new signal is allowed only if the employer shows it is at least as effective as the standard methods, or that it complies with a national consensus standard that is. Whatever is used, it must suit the site conditions, and the way it reaches the operator (direct line of sight, video, radio) must too.
Rules for giving signals
| Rule | What the standard says | Section |
|---|---|---|
| One signaler | Only one person may give signals to a crane or derrick at a time | 1926.1419(h) |
| Anyone can stop it | 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 | 1926.1419(j), 1926.1417(y) |
| Operator’s point of view | All directions are given from the operator’s direction perspective | 1926.1419(k) |
| Lost signal | If the ability to transmit signals is interrupted, the operator must safely stop operations until it is reestablished and a proper signal is given and understood | 1926.1419(f) |
| Operator raises a problem | If the operator becomes aware of a safety problem and needs to talk to the signal person, the operator safely stops, and operations do not resume until both agree the problem is resolved | 1926.1419(g) |
| Non-standard signals | Use only where the Standard Method is infeasible or does not cover the operation, and only after the signal person, operator and lift director (if any) agree on them beforehand | 1926.1419(c) |
| Several cranes | Where one signal person communicates with more than one crane, each signal must identify which crane it is for, or an equally effective method must be used | 1926.1419(m) |
| Chart posted | Hand signal charts must be posted on the equipment or conspicuously in the vicinity of the hoisting operations | 1926.1422 |
The stop exception is the reason a crew should know both stop signals. One person gives signals, but any person can stop the crane.
Who can be a signal person (1926.1428)
The employer of the signal person must make sure each signal person meets the qualification requirements before giving any signals. There are two ways to show it:
- Option 1, third-party qualified evaluator. The signal person has documentation from a third-party qualified evaluator showing the requirements are met.
- Option 2, the employer’s qualified evaluator. The employer’s evaluator assesses the person and documents that they meet the requirements. This assessment is not portable: another employer cannot use it.
The documentation must be available at the site while the signal person is employed, and it must say which types of signaling (hand signals, radio signals and so on) the person is qualified for. A signal person must:
- know and understand the type of signals used, including the Standard Method if hand signals are used;
- be competent in applying the signals used;
- have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including crane dynamics in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads;
- know the relevant requirements of 1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and 1926.1428;
- show all of this through an oral or written test and a practical test.
If the person’s later actions show they do not meet the requirements, the employer must stop them signaling until retraining and a new assessment confirm they do.
Radio and voice signals
- Radio, telephone or other electronic signals (1926.1420): the device must be tested on site before operations begin to make sure transmission is effective, clear and reliable. Transmission must use a dedicated channel, with limited exceptions such as several cranes and signal people sharing one channel to coordinate, or a crane working on or next to railroad tracks. The operator must receive signals through a hands-free system.
- Voice signals (1926.1421): before operations the operator, signal person and lift director (if any) must agree on the voice signals. Each signal has three elements in order: function (such as hoist or boom) and direction, then distance or speed, then the function again followed by the stop command. All of them must be able to communicate effectively in the language used.
Common mistakes
These follow directly from the rules above.
- Two people signaling. Only one person gives signals. Others may only give stop.
- Signals from the wrong point of view. Directions are from the operator’s perspective, not the signal person’s.
- Improvised signals. A thumbs-up for “go” is not a standard signal. A non-standard signal needs agreement beforehand.
- Treating “Move slowly” as a command. It only modifies another signal.
- Carrying on after losing sight or radio. The operator must stop until communication is back and a proper signal is given and understood.
- No documented qualification. The employer’s evaluator or a third party must document it, and the document must be at the site.
- No chart on site. The chart must be posted on the equipment or in the vicinity.
- Untested radios. Test the device on site before work begins and use a dedicated channel.
Pre-lift signal checklist
- A signal person is assigned for the lift, and the qualification record is at the site.
- Standard Method hand signals are in use, or any non-standard signals have been agreed beforehand and written down.
- The hand signal chart is posted on the crane or near the lift.
- The signal person has a clear line of sight to the operator, or a tested radio on a dedicated channel.
- Everyone on the crew knows the stop and emergency stop signals.
- For several cranes, the method of naming the crane for each signal is agreed.
- The operator and signal person have agreed what happens if communication is lost.
Use the mobile crane lifting plan template to record the signal method in the lift plan.
Aramco sites and other rules
The Saudi Aramco Construction Safety Manual (5th edition, 2011, section III-7.3) requires a designated signalman at all times while a load is lifted, moved and set. Only one designated signalman gives signals to the crane operator. Universal hand signals are used, and radio communication is used if the operator cannot see the signalman. Riggers must be Aramco certified. The Saudi Aramco Safety Handbook (2nd edition, 2017) also says to use universal hand or radio signals between the designated signalman and the crane operator, not to obstruct the operator’s line of sight to the signalman, and to rig all crane loads using a certified rigger. Both documents were read on third-party sites, so check the current requirement with the Aramco proponent organization before relying on them.
Outside the US, signal standards and training rules are set nationally or by the site owner. In Great Britain the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 require every lifting operation to be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely (regulation 8), and the lift plan should say how signals will be given.
Frequently asked questions
Who is allowed to give the emergency stop signal?
Anyone who becomes aware of a safety problem. 29 CFR 1926.1419(j) says they must alert the operator or signal person by giving the stop or emergency stop signal, and the operator must obey it (1926.1417(y)). Only one person gives any other signal.
What are the standard rigging hand signals?
The Standard Method in Appendix A to Subpart CC of 29 CFR 1926. It covers hoist, lower, raise and lower boom, extend and retract boom, swing, travel, stop, emergency stop, dog everything, move slowly and the main and auxiliary hoist signals. The table above lists them.
Who can give hand signals to a crane operator?
One qualified signal person at a time. The signal person’s employer must make sure the person meets 1926.1428 before any signals are given, shown by documentation from a third-party evaluator or from the employer’s own qualified evaluator.
Is a rigger the same as a signal person?
No. Signal person qualification is set by 1926.1428. A qualified rigger is defined separately in 1926.1401 as a rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person. A worker who rigs the load can also give signals only if the signal person requirements are met and documented for the signals used.
Can a crew use its own hand signals?
Only if the Standard Method is infeasible or does not cover the operation. Then the signal person, operator and lift director (where there is one) must agree on the non-standard signals before the operation starts (1926.1419(c)).
What if the operator loses sight or radio contact with the signal person?
The operator must safely stop operations until the ability to transmit signals is re-established and a proper signal is given and understood (1926.1419(f)).
Does Saudi Aramco use the same signals?
Aramco’s Construction Safety Manual (2011) and Safety Handbook (2nd edition, 2017) call for universal hand or radio signals between a designated signalman and the crane operator. Ask the Aramco proponent which chart is posted on your site.
Related guides
- Crane safety signs and where to place them
- Who directs crane assembly and disassembly: the A/D director
- Crane safety: OSHA rules and site practices
- Crane safety toolbox talk
- Types of mobile cranes
- Types of slings and how to choose one
- Lifting and rigging procedures and all about lifting and rigging procedure
- Safe distance from overhead power lines
- How to become a crane operator
- Boom truck certification
Sources
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC Appendix A, Standard Hand Signals, read 1 Nov 2026.
- eCFR, 29 CFR 1926.1419 (signals, general requirements), 1926.1420 (radio, telephone), 1926.1421 (voice), 1926.1422 (hand signal chart), 1926.1428 (signal person qualifications), current to 29 Oct 2026, read 1 Nov 2026.
- Saudi Aramco, Construction Safety Manual, 5th edition (2011), section III-7.3, as published on a third-party site, read 1 Nov 2026.
- UK Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 8, read 1 Nov 2026.
- Saudi Aramco, Safety Handbook: Minimum Safety Rules, 2nd edition (2017), Crane Operations and Rigging Equipment topic, as published on a third-party site, read 1 Nov 2026.