Flagman/Slinger Training Service | in Dammam - Riyadh - Jeddah - Makkah

1. Introduction to Flagman/Slinger Operations

• Flagman/slinger definition and purpose including (signal person directing crane, load control, communication link, safety coordination)

• Regulatory requirements per OSHA 1926.1428 including (qualified signal person, competency assessment, certification, specific lifts)

• Roles and responsibilities including (communication, hazard recognition, load assessment, exclusion zone, stop work authority)

• Qualifications per OSHA and ASME B30.5 including (training, testing, evaluation, physical requirements, vision, hearing)

• Difference from rigger role including (rigger attaches load, flagman/slinger directs crane, coordination, overlapping duties sometimes)

• Importance in lifting operations including (accident prevention, communication clarity, efficiency, regulatory compliance, coordination)

• Common incidents and prevention including (communication failure, signal confusion, load swing, struck-by, prevention measures)

2. Lifting Equipment and Load Fundamentals

2.1 Crane Types and Capabilities

• Mobile crane types including (hydraulic truck crane, rough terrain, all-terrain, crawler, truck-mounted)

• Overhead crane types including (bridge crane, gantry, jib crane, monorail, tower crane)

• Crane capacity and load charts including (radius effect, boom angle, configuration, deductions, maximum capacity)

• Crane operating limitations including (weather limits wind 20 mph typically, ground conditions, obstructions, load radius)

• Crane components including (boom, jib, hook block, outriggers, counterweights, load line)

2.2 Load Assessment and Center of Gravity

• Load weight determination including (drawings, calculations, weighing, stamped weights, estimation methods)

• Center of gravity location including (balanced loads, asymmetric loads, shifting loads, attachment point selection)

• Load dimensions and clearances including (height, width, length, transport route, overhead clearances, swing radius)

• Load stability including (securing loose items, internal shifting, liquid movement, wind effects, rotation prevention)

• Rigging attachment points including (lifting lugs, pad eyes, structural points, spreader bars, load distribution)

2.3 Rigging Equipment Basics

• Wire rope slings per ASME B30.9 including (construction, capacity, inspection, configuration, angle effects)

• Synthetic slings including (web, round, capacity, inspection, protection, UV and chemical resistance)

• Chain slings including (Grade 80/100, capacity, inspection, configurations, temperature limits)

• Rigging hardware including (shackles, hooks, links, turnbuckles, spreader bars, capacity verification)

• Sling angles and capacity including (vertical 100%, 60 degrees 115%, 45 degrees 141%, 30 degrees 200%, derating)

3. Standard Hand Signals for Crane Operations

3.1 Basic Crane Movements per ASME B30.5

• Hoist including (fist with thumb up, circular motion, speed variation, load control)

• Lower including (fist with thumb down, circular motion, controlled descent, stopping)

• Boom up/down including (thumb up or down, arm extended, boom angle adjustment, radius change)

• Swing/slew including (arm extended, pointing direction, rotation, positioning)

• Travel/move including (both fists in front, push/pull motion, crane positioning, straight line)

• Retract/extend boom (telescoping) including (hands together or apart, horizontal motion, length adjustment)

3.2 Load Control Signals

• Dog everything (stop) including (hands clasped, all motion cease, emergency and normal, immediate compliance)

• Emergency stop including (both arms extended, rapid waving, immediate danger, override all other signals)

• Move slowly including (hand in front of signal hand, precision movements, delicate positioning, hoist/lower/swing)

• Use main hoist including (tap fist on head, primary lifting line, capacity differentiation)

• Use auxiliary hoist (whip line) including (tap elbow with hand, secondary line, lighter loads)

• Raise/lower boom and raise/lower load including (combined signals, multiple movements, coordination)

3.3 Special Signals and Communication

• Extend outriggers/stabilizers including (fists extended to sides, setup preparation, leveling)

• Retract outriggers including (fists to center, dismantle, transport preparation)

• Trolley travel including (overhead cranes, bridge movement, direction indication)

• Multiple crane signals including (designated signal person per crane, confusion prevention, coordination)

• Radio communication per OSHA 1926.1417 including (clear transmission, standardized terminology, confirmation, call signs)

• Non-standard signals including (pre-job agreement, documentation, team understanding, special lifts)

4. Pre-Lift Planning and Coordination

4.1 Lift Planning Requirements

• Lift plan components per OSHA 1926.1417 including (load data, crane selection, rigging, route, hazards, procedures)

• Critical lift determination including (over 75% capacity, multiple cranes, personnel lifting, complex rigging, proximity hazards)

• Site assessment including (ground conditions, overhead clearances, underground utilities, power lines, weather, access)

• Permit requirements including (crane operation permits, lift permits, road closures, notifications, authorities)

4.2 Pre-Lift Meetings and Briefings

• Toolbox talk including (scope of work, hazards, responsibilities, signals, emergency procedures, questions)

• Team roles clarification including (crane operator, flagman/slinger, riggers, tag line handlers, fire watch, area barricading)

• Communication methods including (hand signals, radio, verbal backup, line of sight, signal relay)

• Emergency procedures including (load lowering, evacuation, medical emergency, equipment failure, weather deterioration)

4.3 Equipment and Area Preparation

• Crane inspection verification including (daily inspection completed, deficiencies resolved, load chart available, certification current)

• Rigging equipment inspection including (slings, shackles, hardware, capacity, condition, tag legibility per ASME B30.9)

• Exclusion zone establishment per OSHA 1926.1424 including (barricades, signage, personnel restrictions, swing radius, fall zone)

• Tag lines and load control including (length, material, attachment, handlers, prevent spinning and swinging)

5. Safe Lifting Operations and Execution

5.1 Positioning and Visibility

• Signal person position including (full view of crane operator, full view of load, clear line of sight, visible to riggers)

• Visibility challenges including (obstructions, distance, weather, lighting, relay signals, radio as backup)

• Visibility aids including (high-visibility vest, reflective clothing, flashlights for night, elevated platforms)

• Operator acknowledgment including (repeat signal before movement, confirmation, understanding verification, proceed only when acknowledged)

5.2 Load Cycle and Control

• Pre-lift procedures including (take slack, test lift inches only, verify rigging, check for binding, set)

• Initial lift including (slow hoist, few inches only, stop and inspect, stability check, rigging verification)

• Load travel including (minimum height 2 feet over obstructions, controlled speed, horizontal movement, avoid sudden stops)

• Load positioning including (slow approach, precision placement, alignment, final adjustment, gradual lowering)

• Load landing and release including (soft touchdown, slack line, rigger disconnect signal, clear of load)

5.3 Tag Line Operations

• Tag line purpose including (prevent rotation, control swing, guide load, personnel safety from direct contact)

• Tag line attachment including (secure point, appropriate length, non-metallic typically, multiple if needed)

• Tag line handling including (gloves required, stand clear of pinch points, maintain tension, coordinated pulling)

• Tag line hazards including (entanglement, hand/finger injuries, swing force, wrapping around obstacles, proper technique)

6. Hazard Recognition and Risk Management

6.1 Overhead and Underground Hazards

• Power lines per OSHA 1926.1408 including (minimum clearances 20 feet for >350kV, de-energization, dedicated observer, presumed energized)

• Overhead obstructions including (structures, other cranes, roof edges, skylights, suspended utilities, clearance verification)

• Underground utilities including (locate before outriggers, utility notification, ground penetrating radar, hand digging, protection)

• Buried obstacles including (foundations, tanks, vaults, unmarked utilities, ground stability, archeological)

6.2 Environmental and Site Hazards

• Weather conditions per ASME B30.5 including (wind speed limits, lightning, rain affecting visibility, ice accumulation, temperature extremes)

• Ground conditions including (soft soil, slopes, voids, pavement strength, settlement risk, outrigger pads, mat requirements)

• Confined areas including (tight spaces, limited swing, proximity to structures, assembly/disassembly clearances)

• Public access including (roadways, pedestrian traffic, site security, barricades, flaggers, notifications)

6.3 Load-Related Hazards

• Dynamic loading including (sudden acceleration, jerking, swinging, inertia, shock loading, stability loss)

• Load shift including (unsecured items, internal movement, rigging slip, center of gravity change, tilting)

• Two-blocking per ASME B30.5 including (hook block contacting boom, anti-two-block device, prevention, damage)

• Side loading including (horizontal pull, boom stress, tipping risk, load line angle, proper positioning)

7. Emergency Procedures and Incident Response

7.1 Emergency Stop and Work Stoppage

• Stop work authority including (any person, unsafe condition recognition, immediate stop signal, explanation, resolution before continuing)

• Emergency stop signal including (both arms extended, vigorous waving, all motion cease, assess situation, emergency response)

• Emergency scenarios including (equipment failure, medical emergency, fire, severe weather, structural failure, load loss)

• Load securing during emergency including (controlled lowering if safe, setting down, securing position, evacuation if necessary)

7.2 Equipment Malfunction Response

• Crane malfunction including (stop signal, maintain load position if safe, operator assessment, qualified repair only)

• Rigging failure including (immediate stop, assess load stability, personnel clear, controlled lowering, equipment removal)

• Communication failure including (stop operation, establish alternate method, verify understanding, resume only when reliable)

• Loss of visual contact including (stop immediately, reestablish position, relay signals, move to visible location)

7.3 Incident Reporting and Documentation

• Incident types requiring report including (near miss, dropped load, contact with obstacles, equipment damage, injury)

• Immediate response including (scene safety, medical attention, equipment securing, witness identification, preservation)

• Investigation participation including (factual information, sequence of events, conditions, suggestions, no blame focus)

• Lessons learned including (root causes, corrective actions, procedure updates, training needs, prevention)

8. Special Lifting Operations

8.1 Tandem Lifts (Multiple Crane Lifts)

• Tandem lift hazards per ASME B30.5 including (load sharing, synchronization, communication, capacity calculations, rigging complexity)

• Coordination requirements including (single person in charge, simultaneous signals, radio communication, rehearsal)

• Load distribution including (percentage per crane, balance, dynamic shifts, adjustment limitations)

• Special signals including (designated for tandem, both cranes, coordinated movements, emergency procedures)

8.2 Blind Lifts (No Visual Contact)

• Blind lift definition including (operator cannot see load or landing area, signal relay, elevated risk)

• Communication relay including (intermediate signal persons, radio systems, continuous contact, confirmation)

• Additional precautions including (slower speeds, enhanced planning, spotter at load, spotter at landing, test lifts)

• Technology aids including (cameras, sensors, two-way radios, standardized terminology, backup systems)

8.3 Personnel Lifting

• Personnel platform requirements per OSHA 1926.1431 including (rated platform, fall protection, capacity 5:1, overhead protection, proof load)

• Strict prohibitions including (personnel baskets on hooks without platform, unless no alternative per 1926.1431(f))

• Enhanced requirements including (dedicated spotter, wind limits, trial lift, inspections, fall arrest, communication)

• Signal person role including (continuous observation, dedicated attention, experience requirement, certification)

9. Flagman/Slinger Competency and Certification

9.1 Training and Qualification Requirements

• Training components per OSHA 1926.1428 including (signal recognition, equipment knowledge, hazards, hand signals, radio procedures)

• Evaluation requirements including (written test, practical demonstration, signal proficiency, comprehension, documentation)

• Qualification documentation including (certificates, evaluation records, competency verification, employer responsibility)

• Refresher training including (annual minimum recommended, after incidents, regulatory changes, new equipment, skills gaps)

9.2 Physical and Mental Requirements

• Vision requirements including (adequate visual acuity, depth perception, color recognition if color signals used, corrective lenses acceptable)

• Hearing requirements including (radio communication ability, alarm recognition, adequate for job, hearing protection compatible)

• Communication ability including (clear speaking, language proficiency, signal clarity, radio etiquette)

• Alertness and fitness including (attention span, fatigue management, substance-free, stress management, decision-making)

9.3 Continuing Competency

• Ongoing skill development including (practice, feedback, mentoring, observation of experienced personnel)

• Performance evaluation including (supervisor observation, operator feedback, self-assessment, corrective coaching)

• Regulatory updates including (OSHA changes, standard revisions, industry best practices, technology advances)

• Incident review including (near-miss analysis, lessons learned, procedure updates, skill reinforcement)