A new guy on a site in Dallas changed how I think about hand signals

We were setting a big AC unit on a roof last month, and the spotter was giving the usual signals. This young apprentice, maybe his first week, kept pointing at the load and then at his own eyes. After the third lift, I asked him what was up. He said, 'My grandpa was a rigger, he told me to always watch the load like it's your own kid up there.' Now I catch myself doing that eye point thing before every pick. Anyone else pick up a small habit from a crew member that just stuck?

3 comments

3 Comments

ericj452mo ago

Actually, that eye point signal is a real thing. It means "watch the load." The kid's grandpa taught him the right way.

phoenix_grant342mo ago

Nice, that's a solid one to pick up. I got stuck with a guy who'd hum the same three notes every time a load left the ground, and now I can't stop doing it. My crew hates my new theme song.

val_williams2mo ago

Yeah, that's a good one to pick up. It forces a second of focus right when you need it most. I've seen guys add a quick tap on their hard hat too, same idea.