Annex 9: minimum requirements for hand signals
Published 12 September 2024
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1. Features
1.1 Hand signals must be precise, simple, expansive, easy to make and to understand and clearly distinct from hand signals.
1.2 Where both arms are used at the same time, they must be moved symmetrically and for giving one sign only.
1.3 Provided that they fulfil the conditions given above, the signals used may vary slightly from or be more detailed than those shown in Section 3; they must however, be equally meaningful and comprehensible.
2. Specific rules governing use
2.1 The person giving the signs, hereinafter referred to as the “signalman” will used arm/hand movements to give manoeuvring instructions to the person receiving the signs, hereinafter referred to as the “operator”.
2.2 The signalman must be able to monitor all manoeuvres visually without being endangered thereby.
2.3 The signalman’s duties must consist exclusively of directing manoeuvres and ensuring the safety of workers in the vicinity.
2.4 If the conditions described in 2.2 are not fulfilled, one or more extra signalman should be deployed.
2.5 The operator must interrupt the ongoing manoeuvres in order to request new instructions when they are able to carry out the orders that have been received with the necessary safety guarantees.
2.6 Accessories
2.6.1 The operator must be able to recognise the signalman without difficulty.
2.6.2 The signalman is to wear one or more appropriate distinctive items; for example, a jacket, helmet, sleeves, or armbands or carry bats.
2.6.3 The distinctive items are to be brightly coloured preferably all of the same colour and for the exclusive use of the signalman.
3. Coded signals to be used
3.1 Preliminary remark
The following set of coded signals are without prejudice to other codes applicable at EU level, used for the same manoeuvres in certain sectors.
Meaning (general hand signals)
Start, attention, start of command.
Description and illustration
Both arms are extended horizontally with the palms facing forward.
Meaning (general hand signals)
Taking the strain or inching the load.
Description and illustration
The right arm points upwards with the palm facing forward. The fingers clenched and then unclenched.
Meaning (general hand signals)
Stop, interruption, end of movement.
Description and illustration
The right arm points upwards with the palm facing forward.
Meaning (general hand signals)
End of the operation (operations cease)
Description and illustration
Both hands are clasped together at chest height or both arms extended at 45 degrees downwards and lower arms crossed back and forth sharply across the body.
Meaning (vertical movements)
Raise
Description and illustration
The right arm points upwards with the palm facing forward and slowly makes a circle.
Meaning (vertical movements)
Lower
Description and illustration
The right arm points downwards with the palm facing inwards and slowly makes a circle.
Meaning (vertical movements)
Derricking the jib
Description and illustration
Signal with one hand. Other hand on head. Jib up, arm out to the side, thumb pointing up, Arm moves upwards. Jib down, arm out to the side, thumb pointing down. Arm moves downwards.
Meaning (vertical movements)
Telescoping the jib
Description and illustration
Signal with one hand. Other hand on head. Extend the jib - arm out in front, palm up, moving upwards. Retracting the jib, arm out in front, palm down, moving downwards.
Meaning (vertical movements)
Vertical distance
Description and illustration
Arms out in front, vertically, palms facing each other. The hands indicate the relevant vertical distance.
Meaning (horizontal movements)
Movement forwards (travel to me).
Description and illustration
Both arms are out in front and bent with palms facing upwards and forearms make slow movements towards the body.
Meaning (horizontal movements)
Move backwards (travel from me).
Description and illustration
Both arms are out in front and bent with palms facing downwards and the forearms make slow movements away from the body.
Meaning (horizontal movements)
Right to the signalman’s (in the direction indicated).
Description and illustration
The right arm is extended more or less horizontally with the palm facing downwards.
Meaning (horizontal movements)
Left to the signalman’s (in the direction indicated).
Description and illustration
The left arm is extended more or less horizontally with the palm facing downwards.
Meaning (horizontal movements)
Horizontal distance.
Description and illustration
The hands out in front horizontally, with the palms facing each other and indicating the relevant distance.
Meaning (horizontal movements)
Slewing (in direction indicated).
Description and illustration
Both arms close to side extending one arm 90 degree from the elbow.
Meaning
Danger, emergency stop
Description and illustration
Both arms point upwards with the palms facing forwards.
Meaning
Secure
Description and illustration
Both arms are crossed closely to chest with hands clenched.
Meaning
Twistlocks on or off
Description and illustration
The left arm points upwards. Rotate the wrist of the left hand clockwise signaling twist on and anticlockwise signally twist off.
Speeding up or slowing down the action
To indicate “quicker”, do all the movements faster. To indicate “slower”, slow the movements down.