Pro tip: I realized my hand signals were a total mess after a new guy in Houston asked me to repeat them three times in a row.

Has anyone else had to completely relearn their signal calls because of a confusing moment on site?

4 comments

4 Comments

Remember my "stop" signal was basically jazz hands until a crane operator just stared at me while a load kept swinging. Had to go home and practice in the mirror like a weirdo, using actual clear motions. My "go left" used to be a vague wave that could also mean "hi" or "I see a bee." Now it's a stiff, robotic point that leaves no room for doubt. Felt like learning a whole new language just to avoid causing chaos.

xena5822mo ago

Oh man, I used to think those signals were overkill, but hearing this totally changed my mind.

green.noah2d ago

Gonna push back a little here. Overthinking your hand signals to the point of standing like a statue or practicing in a mirror sounds like overkill. The whole point is clear communication, not looking like a robot. If a guy can't figure out a simple point or a stop, that's on him, not on you for waving a little loose. I've been around guys who use the most basic, lazy hand waves and never have an issue because the crew pays attention and knows the job. Training yourself to be stiff and unnatural just adds a layer of unnecessary stress. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, but don't turn it into a performance.

mark_green2mo ago

Emma96's story about the crane operator hits home. Ever think about how your own body language messes with the signals? I caught myself nodding while giving a "stop" once, totally mixed the message. Had to train myself to keep my head still, like a statue, only moving the arms. Makes you realize half the battle is unlearning all your normal, chatty habits just to be clear.