Crane signals are very important to the safety of everyone that is working around a construction site.  Whether you are in the crane or moving other large equipment around the site, many times communication is done by hand signals.  These signals are very simple, but they could be the fine line between life or death if something disastrous happens on site.  

Do you know the crane hand signals?

Even though you are not using hand signals in the diecast model crane world, there are people that do know them.  We have seen customer videos created that use small figurines emulating the hand signals that we have posted about below.  Doing so makes for a more real life, model crane experience and honestly, those videos get more of my attention knowing what work goes into them.

Just in case you are not familiar with the crane signals, we have posted a few of the standard ones below.

Hoist - With forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, move hand in small horizontal circles
Lower - With arm extended downward, forefinger pointing down, move hand in small horizontal circles.
Use Main Hoist - Tap fist on head; then use regular signals.
Use Whipline (Auxilary Hoist) - Tap elbow with one hand; then use regular signals.
Raise Boom - Arm extended, finger closed, thumb pointing upward.
Lower Boom - Arm extended, finger closed, thumb pointing downward.
Move Slowly - Use one hand to give any motion signal and place other hand motionless in front of hand giving the motion signal. (Hoist slowly shown as example.)
Raise the Boom and Lower the Load - Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing upward, other arm bent slightly with forefinger pointing down and rotate hand in horizontal circles.
Lower the Boom and Raise the Load - Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing downward, other arm with forearm vertical, forefinger pointing upward and rotate hand in horizontal circles.

Before reading through this post, did you know the hand signals?  Do you make model crane videos that we can see?  Take a minute to leave your thoughts below, or on our Facebook page!