Hand Signals for Agricultural Safety

Hand signals are an ideal communication tool when working around noisy farm machinery. To help everyone communicate in the same "language," the American Society of Agricultural Engineers has adopted 11 uniform hand signals for agricultural safety.

These signals should be learned and used by the farm family, employees and farm visitors such as feed truck drivers, chemical salespeople and Extension agents.

Using standard signals can help:

• save time
• prevent accidents
• reduce severity of injuries
• lower the risk of accidental death.

Detailed instructions for performing the 11 signals shown in are presented below.

	THIS FAR TO GO Place palms at ear level, facing head, and move laterally inward to indicate remaining distance to go.
	COME TO ME Raise the arm vertically overhead, palm to the front, and rotate in large horizontal circles.
	MOVE TOWARD ME Point toward person(s), vehicle(s), unit(s); beckon by holding the arm horizontally to the front, palm up, and motioning toward the body.
	MOVE OUT Face the desired direction of movement; hold the arm extended to the rear; then swing it overhead and forward in the direction of desired movement until it is horizontal palm down.
	STOP Raise the hand upward to the full extent of the arm and back to the shoulder rapidly several times.
	SPEED UP Raise the hand to the shoulder, fist closed; thrust the fist upward to the full extent of the arm and back to the shoulder rapidly several times.
	SLOW DOWN Extend the arm horizontally sideward, palm down, and wave arm downward 45° minimum several times, keeping the arm straight. Do not move the arm above horizontal.
	START ENGINE Simulate cranking of vehicles by moving arm in a circular motion at waist level.
	STOP ENGINE Draw either hand, palm down across the neck in a "throat-cutting" motion.
	LOWER EQUIPMENT Make circular motion with either hand pointing to the ground.
	RAISE EQUIPMENT Make circular motion with either hand at head level.

Publication #: AEX-591

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