Appreciation post: a simple hand signal change that saved a tricky lift

We were setting a 15-ton HVAC unit on a tight rooftop in Philly, and the spotter kept losing sight of me behind a parapet wall. Instead of the usual 'swing' signal, we switched to a clear 'raise boom, lower load' combo for the final few feet. It felt weird at first, but it got the load placed perfectly without a single radio re-transmit. Anyone else have a non-standard signal they use for blind spots?

3 comments

3 Comments

leerobinson13d ago

Got to love when the simple fix works. We once used a series of short whistle blasts for a blind corner, felt like a bad spy movie but it got the job done. Sometimes you just have to ditch the book and improvise.

taylor.paige13d ago

Right? We just yelled "clear!

paule534d ago

Remember that time we tried to use hand signals and I just gave a full salute? We spent ten minutes figuring out if the coast was clear or if I was just being weirdly formal. My team still brings that up to roast me.