Signals across a busy site got easier after one near miss in Tacoma

I used to rely on hand signals from the oiler even when we were 200 feet apart, and last February a gust shifted the load while I was looking at him instead of the hook. Now I use a radio for every lift over 10 tons and keep my eyes on the load path, checking the signal guy only for confirmation. Anyone else switch to radios full time after a close call, or do you still trust line of sight on smaller jobs?

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ruby_grant1mo ago

Tbh that near miss in Tacoma sounds like the kind of thing that sticks with you. But here's what I'm curious about, do you still run those smaller lifts with just hand signals if the weather is clear and the site is dead quiet? Or has that one close call basically killed any trust you had in line of sight, period? Because I've seen guys who switch to radios for big loads but go right back to hand signals for the small stuff, and that's where the accidents usually happen. Also, when you do use the radio, are you the one giving the commands or are you still relying on the oiler to call the moves?

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