A rigger in Cleveland told me my hand signals were too fast

Honestly, I got a bit of a wake-up call about six months ago on a site in Cleveland. We were setting some big steel beams and my usual rigger, a guy named Mike, pulled me aside after a close call. He said, 'Blair, your signals are clean, but you're going at a pace like we're in a race. When you whip that 'hoist' signal, I'm scrambling to keep up, and that's when mistakes happen.' He was right. I was so focused on keeping the job moving that I wasn't giving him the full second he needed to process and react. I changed it up the very next lift. Now I make each signal deliberate, hold it for a clear beat, and make solid eye contact before I move. The pace feels slower, but the picks are smoother and way safer. Has anyone else had to slow down their rhythm for the crew?

3 comments

3 Comments

derek_schmidt61mo ago

Got called out for the same thing last year... my guy said my signals looked like I was trying to conduct an orchestra. Had to learn to chill out.

margaret_taylor421mo ago

Clear signals beat chill any day, @derek_schmidt6.

miles94622d ago

Hold on, did you say your signals looked like you were "trying to conduct an orchestra"? That's wild. I mean, I've seen guys who move their hands a little too fast, but an orchestra conductor? That's a new one on me. Your rigger must have a good sense of humor, or maybe he was just at his wit's end with the tempo. I guess when you're working with heavy loads, a little deliberate pacing makes all the difference.