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?

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3 Comments

leerobinson6mo 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.

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taylor.paige6mo ago

Right? We just yelled "clear!

10

paule536mo 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.

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