The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

3.    Coded signals to be used

Preliminary remark:

The following set of coded signals are without prejudice to other codes applicable at Community level, used for the same manoeuvres in certain sectors:

Meaning	Description	Illustration
A. General signals
START Attention Start of Command	both arms are extended horizontally with the palms facing forwards
STOP Interruption End of movement	the right arm points upwards with the palm facing forwards.
END of the operation	both hands are clasped at chest height.
B. Vertical movements
RAISE	the right arm points upwards with the palm facing forward and slowly makes a circle.
LOWER	the right arm points downwards with the palm facing inwards and slowly makes a circle.
VERTICAL DISTANCE	the hands indicate the relevant distance.
C. Horizontal Movements
MOVE FORWARDS	both arms are bent with the palms facing upwards, and the forearms make slow movements towards the body.
MOVE BACKWARDS	both arms are bent with the palms facing downwards, and the forearms make slow movements away from the body.
RIGHT to the signalman's	the right arm is extended more or less horizontally with palm facing downwards and slowly makes small movements to the right.
LEFT to the signalman's	the left arm is extended more or less horizontally with palm facing downwards and slowly makes small movements to the left.
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE	the hands indicate the relevant distance.
D. Danger
DANGER Emergency stop	both arms points upwards with the palms facing forwards.
QUICK	all movements faster.
SLOW	all movements slower.