ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Crane Hand Signals
All official ANSI/ASME B30.5 crane hand signals — memorize each one before taking the quiz.
Why Hand Signals Matter
Crane hand signals are the universal language of safe lifting operations. OSHA 1926.1422 requires that all signals conform to the ASME B30.5 standard, and only a qualified signal person may give signals to the operator — except for emergency stop signals, which any worker may give.
Signal persons must be in a position where they can be seen clearly by the operator at all times. When the operator loses sight of the signal person, they must stop all motion immediately until the signal person is back in view and gives a clear signal.
Standard
ASME B30.5
OSHA Regulation
1926.1422
Total Signals
15 Official
Official Hand Signal Reference
Hoist
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
With forearm vertical and forefinger pointing straight up, move the hand in small horizontal circles. Used to raise the load or hook.
Elbow bent, forearm vertical, forefinger extended pointing up. Rotate the wrist to create small continuous circles. The circular upward finger is the universal 'lift' command per B30.5.
Lower
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
With forearm extended downward and forefinger pointing down, move the hand in small horizontal circles. Used to lower the load or hook toward the ground.
Forearm angled downward, forefinger pointing toward the ground. Rotate the wrist to create small circles. This mirrors the Hoist signal exactly — same circular motion, opposite direction.
Use Main Hoist
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Tap closed fist on top of head, then use regular hoist/lower signals. Designates that all following commands apply to the main (primary) hoist drum.
Form a fist and lightly tap the top of your head. Then immediately give the desired directional signal. Must be used whenever the crane has two drums to prevent confusion about which hoist to operate.
Use Whip Line (Auxiliary Hoist)
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Tap elbow with the fingers of the opposite hand, then use regular signals. Designates that all following commands apply to the auxiliary (whip/secondary) hoist line.
Extend one forearm, then tap the elbow with fingers of the other hand. Immediately follow with the directional signal. Critical distinction when a crane is equipped with both a main and auxiliary line.
Raise Boom
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Arm extended to the side, fingers closed into a fist, thumb pointing straight up. Commands the operator to raise (increase the angle of) the boom.
Extend arm fully at shoulder height, make a fist with thumb pointing up — like a classic 'thumbs up.' Raising the boom increases the boom angle and decreases the working radius.
Lower Boom
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Arm extended to the side, fingers closed into a fist, thumb pointing straight down. Commands the operator to lower (decrease the angle of) the boom.
Extend arm fully at shoulder height, make a fist with thumb pointing down — classic 'thumbs down.' Lowering the boom decreases the boom angle and increases the working radius, which typically reduces load capacity.
Stop
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
One arm extended horizontally to the side, palm facing down, arm held stationary. Commands the operator to stop all crane motion. Load remains suspended in place.
Extend one arm straight out to the side at shoulder height, palm facing down. Hold completely still until acknowledged. ONE arm only — using both arms means Emergency Stop, a very different command.
Emergency Stop
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
BOTH arms extended horizontally, palms down, rapidly waved back and forth. Signals an immediate all-stop emergency. Any person on the site may give this signal.
Extend BOTH arms out to the sides at shoulder height, palms facing down, and wave them back and forth rapidly and simultaneously. This two-arm waving motion cannot be confused with the one-arm Stop signal.
Swing
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Arm extended horizontally, index finger pointing in the direction the crane should swing (rotate). The upper works rotate in the direction pointed.
Extend arm outward at shoulder height and point with the index finger toward the desired swing direction. The operator rotates the superstructure in the pointed direction. Signal can be given left or right.
Raise Boom and Lower Load
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Thumb pointing up, remaining fingers opening and closing repeatedly in a beckoning motion. Raises boom while simultaneously lowering the load to maintain constant load elevation.
Hold fist with thumb pointing up; open and close the other four fingers repeatedly (beckoning/waving motion). This compound move increases boom angle while paying out hoist line — keeping load height constant as radius decreases.
Lower Boom and Raise Load
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Thumb pointing down, remaining fingers opening and closing repeatedly in a beckoning motion. Lowers boom while simultaneously raising the load to maintain constant load elevation.
Hold fist with thumb pointing down; open and close the other four fingers repeatedly. This compound move decreases boom angle while taking in hoist line — keeping load height constant as radius increases.
Move Slowly
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Place one open hand motionless in front of the other hand which gives the motion signal. The stationary hand modifies any following signal to mean: execute this movement slowly and with caution.
Hold one palm open and flat, stationary in front of your body. Behind that stationary hand, use the other hand to give the desired directional signal. Always used in tight-clearance, precision work.
Travel (Both Tracks)
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Fist held at waist or chest level, rotated in a vertical circle (like a wind-up motion). Signals the operator to engage both travel motors and move the crane.
Make a fist and rotate it continuously in a vertical circle at about waist height — mimicking a winding or cranking motion. Both crawler tracks move. The specific travel direction is established by pre-operation planning and the signal person's position.
Travel — One Track
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
One arm locked/stationary at side (the locked track side); opposite fist rotated in a vertical circle (the moving track side). Creates a pivot turn on a crawler crane.
Hold one arm rigid and stationary at the side — this side stays locked. With the other arm, rotate the fist in a vertical circle — this track moves. The crane pivots around the stationary track. Essential for precise crawler crane positioning in confined areas.
Dog Everything
ASME B30.5 / OSHA 1926.1422
Clasp both hands together in front of the body and hold. Signals the operator to stop all crane motions and secure (dog) everything in place temporarily.
Interlock or clasp both hands together in front of the chest. All crane motions stop and controls are held. This is a temporary pause — the crane does not shut down. Resume normal signaling when ready to continue. Not the same as Emergency Stop.
Key Rules to Remember for the Exam
- →Stop vs Emergency Stop: Stop = one arm, palm down, held still. Emergency Stop = BOTH arms, palms down, waving rapidly.
- →Main Hoist: Tap fist on head before giving directional signals.
- →Auxiliary/Whip Line: Tap elbow before giving directional signals.
- →Move Slowly: Stationary hand in front, motion signal given behind it.
- →Emergency Stop Authority: ANY person on the job site — not just the signal person — may give an emergency stop signal.
- →Lost Visual Contact: If the operator loses sight of the signal person, all motion must stop immediately.
- →Unclear Signal: If the operator cannot understand a signal, they must stop and not resume until a clear signal is given.
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