Switched from hand signals to radios on a 7-story build last fall

For 15 years I used hand signals with my oiler on every job. Then last September on a tight site in Portland, I had to work with a green oiler who couldn't keep his hands straight. After almost dropping a beam on a truck, I bought two Motorola talkabouts for $60. Now I never go back to hand signals, especially when the wind is howling or you're working blind on the backside. Anyone else make the switch and find it makes a bigger difference than you thought?

2 comments

2 Comments

valgibson19d ago

You ever had to yell over a 35mph gust on a open deck? Radios saved my ass more times than I can count, especially when you're waving at a guy who can't see you.

charles_kim19d ago

Man, I've been there. Last year on a job in Galveston, we had a steady 30 knot wind with higher gusts, and I was on the bow trying to signal a guy on the dock. He just kept staring at me like I was doing some weird dance. After five minutes of that, I grabbed the handheld and it was night and day. You can't beat a radio when the wind is ripping like that. I feel your pain on that one.