A new guy on site asked me why we still use hand signals when everyone has a radio

I was setting up for a lift in Tacoma last Thursday, running a 250-ton crawler crane for a steel job. The rigger, a young guy maybe six months in, came over and straight up asked, 'Why do we still do all the arm waving? My radio is right here.' I told him it's because radios can die, channels get crowded, and sometimes you just can't hear over the noise. But it got me thinking later. My old foreman always said the signals are a direct line, no middleman, and you're looking right at each other. It's a skill that can't fail if your battery does. What's your take on keeping the old school signals strong versus relying on tech? Ever had a radio fail you at a bad time?

3 comments

3 Comments

rileynelson10d ago

My first crane job in Spokane, we lost radio contact during a critical pick in high wind. The hand signals from the ground crew are the only reason we set that beam without a scratch. Tech is a tool, not a replacement for a skill that works when everything else goes quiet.

walker.max10d ago

Saw a video where a dropped radio almost caused a bad wreck.

grantschmidt2d ago

Yeah, it's wild how fast things can go wrong. A buddy of mine was spotting for a truck backing into a tight site, and his radio battery died right as the driver needed to stop. He had to basically throw himself in front of the bumper and wave his arms like a maniac. The driver saw him, but it was way too close. That backup beeper was the only thing working, and it wasn't enough. Makes you realize how much we rely on those signals working every single time.