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Hand Signals & Communication Procedures

MA 2A/1C Hoisting License · Module 3, Session 3

SAE J1307 — Required Hand Signals

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Complete Signal Reference

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All signals required by 230 CMR 6.00 via SAE J1307-2023:

EMERGENCY STOP — Both arms crossed in front of chest, palms inward. Respond IMMEDIATELY. No completion of current movement. Any person may give this signal.

STOP — One arm extended horizontally to the side, palm down, wave back and forth. Complete safe position and halt.

DOG EVERYTHING / HOLD — Hands clasped together in front of body. Pause all operations; hold position.

RAISE BOOM / LIFT — Arm extended to the side, thumb pointing straight up, fist closed.

LOWER BOOM / LOWER LOAD — Arm extended to the side, thumb pointing straight down, fist closed.

SWING / SLEW — Arm extended horizontally, index finger pointing in the exact direction of intended swing.

TRAVEL (Crawler excavator) — Both fists closed in front of body, rotate in vertical circles in direction of travel. Left fist for left track, right fist for right track.

EXTEND STICK (Crowd In) — Forearm held vertically in front of face, open hand, move toward body.

RETRACT STICK (Dump Out) — Forearm held vertically in front of face, open hand, push away from body.

OPEN BUCKET — Both hands in front of body, palms facing each other, move apart.

CLOSE BUCKET — Both hands in front of body, palms outward, move together.

MOVE SLOWLY — Place one hand on the forearm of the arm giving any other signal. Means: perform that movement at reduced speed.

See the Hand Signals Quick Reference page for the full illustrated guide.

Who Gives Signals — The Rules

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Designated signaler only: Only the approved, designated signaler may give directional signals (230 CMR 6.00). This includes the site superintendent — if they are not the designated signaler, the operator does not follow their direction signals.

Any person may give Emergency Stop: The crossed-arms signal overrides everything and must receive an immediate full stop response from all operators.

Conflicting signals: If two people give different directional signals simultaneously — STOP. Wait until the conflict is resolved.

Signaler not visible: STOP immediately. Do not continue based on the last signal received.

Radio communication: Radio supplements the signaler system — it does not replace it. Direction signals must still come from the designated signaler.

Radio & Two-Way Communication

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Radio Protocol on Job Sites

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Channel discipline: Assign specific channels for specific functions (e.g., channel 1 for equipment coordination, channel 2 for safety). All operators on a job site must monitor the same channel during active excavation.

Transmission protocol:

  • •Identify yourself and the intended recipient: "Excavator 1 to spotter — copy?"
  • •Keep transmissions brief — radios are for coordination, not conversation
  • •Confirm important instructions: "Copy that, holding until workers clear"
  • •Emergency calls: Simply say "STOP STOP STOP" — all operators on channel must halt immediately

    • Radio does NOT replace hand signals: If the operator cannot hear the signaler (radio failure, noise) and cannot see them (they stepped away), the operator must stop.

    Job Site Safety Rules

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    Dig Safe & Utility Location

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    Massachusetts law requires calling 811 (Dig Safe) at least 72 hours before any excavation.

    Color codes for marked utilities:

  • •Red: Electric power lines
  • •Yellow: Gas, oil, petroleum, steam
  • •Orange: Communications (telephone, cable, fiber)
  • •Blue: Potable water
  • •Green: Sewer and drain lines
  • •White: Proposed excavation area (marked by excavator)

    • Tolerance zone: Utility marks show approximate centerline — the actual pipe or wire may be 18–24 inches away. Hand-dig within 18 inches of any mark; do not use machine excavation directly adjacent to marked lines.

    If you hit an unmarked utility: Stop, evacuate if gas, call 911 if emergency, contact the utility company.

    Blind Spot Management for 2A/1C Equipment

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    Both excavators and loaders have significant blind spots that cause struck-by fatalities.

    Excavator blind spots:

  • •Rear counterweight arc — workers standing "safely behind" the tracks may be in this zone
  • •Right side during swing — most dangerous zone for ground workers
  • •Under the boom — directly below the extended boom

    • Loader blind spots:

  • •Raised bucket blocks entire forward view at full elevation
  • •Engine compartment blocks most of the rear view — backup alarm critical
  • •Right-side and corner zones during reverse

    • Best practices:

  • •Walk around the machine before moving — check all blind zones
  • •Use spotters for any blind movement
  • •Camera systems supplement, not replace, exclusion zones
  • •Sound horn before every movement in congested areas

    • Exam Quick-Reference

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    Emergency Stop: Both arms crossed — any person, respond immediately
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    Who gives direction signals: Designated signaler only
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    Signaler not visible: Stop all movement immediately
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    Conflicting signals: Stop — wait for resolution
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    Hand signal standard: SAE J1307-2023, required by 230 CMR 6.00
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    Dig Safe notice period: 72 hours before excavating (call 811)
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    Most dangerous blind zone: Right side during swing (excavator)
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    Loader blind zone (front): Raised bucket blocks all forward view