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Used to think radio comms were unnecessary, then my 'left' became the foreman's 'right' and we almost took out a light pole, lmao | Heavy Equipment Operators - Thought Shares

eva417•7mo ago

Used to think radio comms were unnecessary, then my 'left' became the foreman's 'right' and we almost took out a light pole, lmao

4 comments

4 Comments

robin4507mo ago

According to safety reports, directional mix-ups account for a small fraction of onsite incidents. So while your light pole scare was real, it might not justify mandatory radios for every team! Human error is a constant, and even with comms, people can still confuse left and right. Sometimes, better hand signals or pre-shift briefings could prevent those moments just as effectively. I get why it felt urgent in the moment, but labeling comms as 'necessary' after one close call seems like an overreaction. We should focus on improving overall communication practices rather than relying solely on technology.

the_ivan7mo ago

Watched a buddy of mine, a lineman, trying to guide a crane operator while they were threading a new pole into this crazy tight spot between a building and live primary lines. Hand signals were completely useless because the operator's cab was angled away, and yelling just got lost in the wind. The moment they switched to radios, you could hear the tension drop as the operator started getting clear "inches forward, now swing your stick right" commands. That crane shoe ended up missing a transformer by maybe two feet, all because of a five dollar rental radio from the shop. Sometimes the gear isn't about preventing every single mix-up, it's about having the right tool when the situation absolutely cannot handle a misunderstanding.

dakotac757mo ago

Two feet? That's basically breathing room with a crane!

wesley_jones7mo ago

Consider whether one incident justifies labeling comms as necessary. People confuse left and right all the time, even with radios. Those safety reports mention multiple causes, so why focus solely on gear? Is adding more technology always the best response to human error? A close call should prompt a review of all communication methods, not just a quick fix. Sometimes the simplest solutions, like clear hand signals, get overlooked in the panic.