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An old foreman told me my tagline hand signals were too sloppy after a near miss on a boiler job in Houston
He said I looked like I was swatting flies. Made me practice for 20 minutes straight before we lifted. Changed up my whole technique to keep my hand movements sharper and slower. Now I watch guys on other crews and see so many sloppy signals that could get someone killed. Any of you had a veteran call you out hard like that?
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quinnj242mo ago
Not even me but a buddy of mine got lit up by an old crane operator on a job in Baton Rouge. He was giving the boom up signal and the guy said he looked like he was waving hello to a girlfriend, too loose and fast. Made him stand there and practice for a good ten minutes while everyone else was waiting on the lift. Apparently the old guy walked over and showed him how to lock his wrist and use his whole arm, not just the hand. My buddy said it was embarrassing as hell at the time but now he's the safest signal guy on his crew, never had a close call since. Those old timers might be grumpy but they've seen bodies go home in bags because someone was lazy with their hands.
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anna_carter532mo ago
Man that's rough but honestly respect to that old crane guy. Better to eat some pride for ten minutes than have a life changing mistake because you got lazy. Your buddy probably saved his own ass later without even knowing it.
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