Hand signals got me through a windy Tuesday on the jobsite

Last week in Tulsa we had 25 mph gusts and the radio link kept cutting out on my 100-ton. I fell back on the old hand signals with my spotter and we landed the steel beam without a single shout. Anyone else still practice these with their crew or is everyone running Bluetooth headsets now?

2 comments

2 Comments

tylerpark1mo ago

Windy days in Tulsa are no joke, I've been there with a crane swinging sideways. It's good to know the old signals still work when the tech gives up on you.

matthewmartin1mo ago

First time I had to use hand signals was in Odessa during a dust storm, and honestly it saved our whole shift. Ten years later I still make sure every new guy knows at least the basic moves before we start. Tech fails at the worst moments, so having that backup plan is just smart.