Construction workers can be seriously injured when lifting heavy loads with a crane. They risk being crushed if the load swings or is dropped. Therefore, it is important that hooking is carried out so that neither the ground assistant nor people nearby are endangered.
The ground assistant and the crane driver must always maintain safe and clear
communication with one another during the work. They must have full control of the movements of the load, and they must make sure that no loads are carried over people. Communication may be via hand signals or radio. For hand signals, the ground assistant must use the signals illustrated in this folder.
Hoist up
Hoist down
Hoist up slowly
Hoist down slowly
Hoist down at short distances1
Boom up
Boom down
Swing left
Swing right
Telescope out
Telescope in
Use main hoist
Use auxiliary hoist
Stop
Emergency stop
This direction
Signal not understood
Open equipment (grab)
Close equipment (grab)
“Lollipop”2
1 For short distances between hooker and crane driver
2 Use at long distances
This text is also available in a pdf-version in Danish, English, Polish, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Romanian and Russian.
Download the pdf of Signals when working with cranes See the WEA’s material available in other languagesNote that we have only highlighted the signals you should use when working with cranes. Learn more about safety during crane work in the WEA Guidelines and Executive Orders as well as the MANUAL – Working Environment for Building and Construction prepared by the Sector Council on OSH in the building and construction industry.
Rigging, WEA Guidelines, 1997 (in Danish) Manual: Working Environment for Building and Construction (BFA Bygge & Anlæg)Contact Arbejdstilsynet
The Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA)
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