TRD/Specialist/TBT-TRD-004

Banksman and Slinger Safety

Trade-Specific Safety › Specialist › Banksman and Slinger Safety

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A banksman guides vehicle and plant movements using hand signals; a slinger attaches and detaches loads for crane operations.
Both roles are safety-critical — errors in signalling or slinging directly cause struck-by, crush, and dropped-load incidents.
Banksmen and slingers must hold valid CPCS or NPORS cards for their specific role before working on any construction site.
Only one person may signal the crane operator during any single lift — multiple signallers cause dangerous confusion.
Standard hand signals must be used as defined in BS 7121 — non-standard signals create miscommunication that leads to incidents.
The slinger must verify the load weight, select the correct sling configuration, and check the SWL before attaching.
Sling angle affects the safe working load — the slinger must calculate or refer to the load chart for the angle being used.
The banksman must maintain a safe position where they can see the load, the landing area, and be seen by the operator.
Tag lines must be attached to loads to control rotation and swing — the slinger must never guide loads by hand.
Pre-lift briefings between the operator, slinger, banksman, and lift supervisor must confirm the plan before every lift.

Single signaller	Multiple people signalling a crane operator causes conflicting instructions and loss of load control — one signaller only per lift.
Sling selection	Choosing the wrong sling type, configuration, or SWL for the load causes sudden sling failure and load drop.
Safe positioning	The banksman must see the load and be seen by the operator — losing either line of sight causes collisions and crush injuries.

Don't

Hold a valid CPCS or NPORS card for the banksman or slinger role before working.
Use only BS 7121 standard hand signals during all lifting and plant operations.
Ensure only one designated person signals the crane operator during each lift.
Verify the load weight and select the correct sling type and SWL before attaching.
Calculate or check the sling capacity reduction for the angle being used.
Maintain a safe position with clear sight of the load and the crane operator.
Attach tag lines to all loads to control rotation and prevent uncontrolled swing.
Attend the pre-lift briefing and confirm the plan with the operator and supervisor.
Inspect all slings, shackles, and lifting accessories before each use.
Signal the operator to stop immediately if any unsafe condition develops during the lift.

DON'T act as banksman or slinger without a valid CPCS or NPORS competency card.
DON'T use non-standard hand signals — miscommunication causes collisions and load drops.
DON'T allow more than one person to signal the crane operator during a lift.
DON'T attach slings without confirming the load weight and correct sling SWL.
DON'T ignore sling angles — wider angles dramatically reduce the safe working load.
DON'T position yourself where you cannot see the load or the operator cannot see you.
DON'T guide suspended loads by hand — always use tag lines for load control.
DON'T begin a lift without attending the pre-lift briefing and confirming the plan.
DON'T use damaged, worn, or defective slings — remove them from service immediately.
DON'T hesitate to signal stop if anything looks unsafe during the lifting operation.

See also: Crane Safety and Signals | Chain Slings and Shackles Inspection

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