Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations specify several situations in which signal persons are mandatory, including when operators have an obstructed view or when they're working near hazards. However, the benefits of qualified riggers and signalmen go far beyond meeting basic requirements.
These specialized professionals improve your team's communication, prevent accidents, streamline your operations, and make your jobsite more efficient. The efficiency improvements alone often offset the cost of having dedicated personnel in these roles. Let’s explore why these roles deserve careful consideration in your job safety planning.
This article will walk through:
Signalmen and riggers keep your crane operations safe and efficient. A qualified signalman communicates crane movement instructions to operators using standard hand signals or radio communications. They become the operator’s eyes when loads move out of view and help complete difficult lifts in challenging environments.
Qualified riggers, on the other hand, prepare and secure loads for shifting. They understand distribution, load dynamics, proper attachment methods, and safety regulations to help materials move safely without shifting or falling. Together, these professionals can make the difference between a potentially dangerous incident and a job well done.
That’s why having the right people in these positions matters. Many of the biggest causes of crane accidents can be prevented with the right signalman or rigger. When you add these roles to your crew, you strengthen your company’s safety culture, protecting your equipment and workers.
Signalmen and riggers do much more than you might think. Some of their biggest responsibilities are:
When you choose signalmen and riggers for your crew, certain qualities separate the good from the great. Look for professionals with:
Highly qualified riggers and signalmen improve performance across your operations. You’ll notice fewer work stoppages and delays when your team can anticipate and prevent potential problems before they become calamitous situations. Their approach to identifying rigging issues or communication gaps means your lifts can proceed smoothly, without costly pauses that disrupt your schedule and budget.
These professionals also elevate the safety culture for your entire team. Other workers see how your riggers and signalmen prioritize safety protocols and start to bring a similar awareness to their own tasks. The spread of this safety mindfulness creates a work environment in which everyone feels responsible for preventing accidents.
Adding qualified riggers and signalmen to your crew has advantages that extend well beyond basic safety compliance. The benefits you’ll see affect your bottom line, workplace culture, and long-term reputation in the industry. Below we cover benefits from safety and compliance, to crew coordination and improved efficiency.
Safety is, of course, the main reason to invest in qualified riggers and signalmen. These specialists establish multiple layers of protection for your team throughout your crane operations, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidents or near-misses.
OSHA regulations specify exactly when a signal person must be used for a crane. According to Standard 1926.1419, you need a dedicated signal person whenever the operator’s view of the load or lift area is obstructed. You also need one when the operator determines that they need assistance because of site-specific safety concerns.
These requirements exist because crane operators deal with visibility limitations due to the physical size of the load or environmental factors like dust or poor lighting. A qualified signal person bridges these visibility gaps, providing guidance when the operator can’t see clearly.
Your signalmen and riggers address many safety concerns through their specialized knowledge and training. Understanding when a signal person must be used based on OSHA requirements helps you avoid common hazards like:
Your investment in qualified personnel can also protect you from legal and financial consequences. Having documented proof that you’ve assigned properly qualified riggers and signalmen proves your commitment to compliance and safety standards. This documentation is evidence of due diligence if an accident does happen. Insurance companies look for these records when processing claims after an injury, and having them can have a favorable impact on both coverage decisions and premium costs.
You’ll notice a marked improvement in how your entire team works together when your crew includes qualified riggers and signalmen. Their specialized knowledge helps bridge gaps between different trades and experience levels on your jobsite.
Signalmen establish standardized communication protocols that everyone on your crew can understand. This common language eliminates confusion and maintains consistency across different shifts and team configurations. They also help develop systems that are tailored to your specific jobsite conditions. They determine whether hand signals or radio communications will work best based on distances and work environments so important information reaches the right people at the right time.
These professionals also maintain pre-lift briefing processes so all involved personnel understand their jobs and what their role is in preventing accidents. These discussions build a shared awareness so everyone knows what to expect during the operation. You’ll see less hesitation and smoother execution during risky lifts when your entire team starts from the same baseline.
Signalmen and riggers' effects on your team’s confidence and performance cannot be understated. When workers know specialized professionals are overseeing their safety, they can focus more on their own tasks without constantly worrying about overhead hazards or load movements.
This psychological benefit translates to a tangible improvement in both safety and productivity:
A comprehensive job safety analysis (JSA) for mobile crane lifting should clearly document who served as qualified riggers and signalmen. This document establishes accountability and helps you track performance over time. With designated roles established in your JSA, post-job reviews become more productive. You can address specific areas for improvement with the responsible personnel rather than making general safety statements to the entire crew. This targeted feedback helps develop skills and prevent recurring issues.
This documentation also helps facilitate more accurate incident investigations if problems do arise. You can quickly identify who made specific decisions during the operation and understand the reasoning behind their choices. This clarity helps you implement precise corrective actions rather than overly broad policy changes.
Beyond the safety benefits, qualified riggers and signalmen can give you a tremendous boost in operational efficiency. Their expertise reduces wasted time and resources while keeping projects moving forward on schedule.
Experienced riggers choose the right equipment for each lift the first time. They understand which shillings and shackles work best for specific load types and configurations and anticipate potential problems before they happen. They’ll identify off-center loads, consider how materials might shift during lifting, and make appropriate adjustments. This foresight prevents mid-lift stoppages that waste time and put unnecessary stress on your equipment and personnel.
They also establish efficient rigging processes that minimize time spent preparing loads. Through proper planning and sequencing, they can even prepare the next lift while the current one is underway. This overlap keeps your crane working continuously rather than having to wait between operations. For tips on building and keeping your all-star crane team, including qualified riggers and signalmen, check out our guide on recruiting and retaining top crane talent.
Clear signals from trained personnel eliminate the starts and stops that tend to plague crane operations with inadequate communication. They establish unmistakable signals for directional commands and emergency stops that can't be confused with each other. This precision prevents the hesitation that delays lifts when operators receive ambiguous signals.
The value that qualified riggers and signalmen bring to your crane operations affects your entire business. From preventing costly accidents to streamlining communication, these team members are an important investment in both safety and productivity. By making these roles a standard part of your job planning process, you’ll establish a workplace culture in which safety and efficiency work together rather than competing with each other.
If you’re looking to improve the way you manage your heavy equipment operations, consider using job management software that includes features for tracking your personnel assignments.
Schedule a free demo today to see how RapidWorks can help create a safer and more efficient workplace.