A rigger in Dallas pointed out my hand signal speed was causing a problem

We were setting a 12-ton HVAC unit on a roof, and the rigger said my 'lower' signal was too fast. He told me, 'You're giving me the drop, not the slow descent. My guy on the winch is chasing you.' I realized I was rushing the signals, especially after a long day. Now I count a full two seconds for each motion, and it's made the whole lift smoother. Anyone else had to slow down their signals after getting used to a certain pace?

2 comments

2 Comments

jones.angela18d ago

Yeah, learned that the hard way too.

coran6318d ago

My uncle was a tower crane operator in Houston. He said the worst signalers were the ones who had only worked with the same crew for years. They developed a private rhythm that fell apart with a new guy on the hook. Your two-second rule is smart because it builds a beat anyone can follow, not just your regular partner. It turns your hands into a metronome instead of a frantic conversation. That consistency is what keeps loads from swinging when you finally bring in a replacement rigger.