GB/T 25850-2010 Crane Designated Person Training Standard

GB/T 25850-2010 is a dedicated standard for the training of appointed persons for cranes, specifying the training content and assessment requirements for crane signal persons, riggers, and signallers. Appointed persons are an indispensable link in the crane safety chain — safe crane operation depends not only on the operator's skill but equally on the coordinated efforts of personnel responsible for directing, rigging, and signal communication. This standard applies to the training and assessment of appointed persons across all crane types (including bridge cranes, gantry cranes, tower cranes, and mobile cranes) and serves as a key technical basis for user units to build their personnel training systems and fulfill safety management responsibilities.

Roles and Responsibilities of Appointed Persons

GB/T 25850-2010 clearly defines the duties of the three categories of appointed persons. The signal person acts as the overall director of the lifting operation, responsible for developing the lifting plan, selecting lifting spreaders and slings, issuing hoisting commands, and coordinating all parties involved. The signal person bears full safety responsibility for every lifting operation undertaken. The rigger, also known as the hooker or slinger, is responsible for securing the load, selecting lifting points, connecting lifting spreaders, and unhooking operations. The rigger's work directly affects the stability and safety of the load during the lifting process. The signaller serves as the relay for transmitting signals when loads are moved to distant locations, ensuring accurate communication of hand signals in environments where visibility is obstructed.

The standard emphasizes that the three categories of appointed persons must have clearly defined roles and work in coordination, forming a closed-loop safety chain of "signal person to rigger to signaller" during lifting operations. In practice, signal persons wear red armbands or vests for identification, while riggers and signallers wear yellow and blue markings respectively, enabling quick recognition at the worksite. The standard specifically requires that when the load weight reaches 85% or more of the rated lifting capacity, when lifting precision equipment, or when operating in hazardous areas (such as zones with cross operations involving personnel), a certified signal person must direct the entire operation, and no other personnel may issue commands. Kelude not only supplies crane equipment to customers but also assists them in establishing standardized appointed person management and training systems to ensure safety compliance throughout the usage phase.

Training Content and Hours

The standard systematically categorizes the training content for appointed persons into two main areas: theoretical knowledge and operational skills. Theoretical knowledge includes: basic crane structure and working principles (4 hours), performance and safe use of common lifting spreaders and slings (6 hours), fundamental lifting mechanics and calculation methods (8 hours), operating procedures and safety regulations for various lifting operations (8 hours), accident case analysis and emergency handling procedures (4 hours), and relevant laws, regulations, and standard systems (4 hours). Operational skills training includes: hands-on practice in load securing and lifting point selection (8 hours), signal communication practice — hand signals, flag signals, whistles, and two-way radios (8 hours), lifting practice under typical operating conditions (12 hours), and emergency drills (4 hours).

The standard stipulates that signal persons must complete no fewer than 60 training hours in total, with at least 30 hours of theoretical training and 30 hours of practical training. Riggers and signallers must complete no fewer than 48 training hours in total. During practical training, individual hands-on time must account for no less than 60% of the total practical training hours. Training instructors must hold an intermediate or higher professional title in lifting appliances and have no fewer than 5 years of crane-related work experience. Training materials must cover all content specified in the standard and be developed in conjunction with typical accident cases. Kelude offers customized appointed person training course packages for customers, including standard interpretation videos, simulation operation training systems, and examination question banks, helping customers efficiently complete personnel training.

Assessment Criteria and Certification

GB/T 25850-2010 provides clear provisions on the assessment methods and certification management for appointed persons. The assessment consists of two parts: a theoretical knowledge examination and an operational skills evaluation. The theoretical examination is conducted as a closed-book written examination or computer-based test, lasting 120 minutes with a maximum score of 100 points; a score of 70 and above is required to pass. The theoretical questions must cover all training content specified in the standard, with crane fundamentals accounting for 25%, lifting mechanics and sling knowledge for 25%, safety regulations and accident prevention for 30%, and regulatory standards for 20%. The operational skills evaluation is conducted through on-site practical assessment, where an evaluation panel (no fewer than 2 assessors) comprehensively scores the trainee's lifting plan development, lifting point selection, securing methods, signal operations, and emergency handling.

Upon passing the assessment, the training institution or industry management authority issues a certificate of conformity for appointed person training. The certificate validity period is generally 4 years, after which renewal requires completing refresher training and passing the reassessment. The standard also specifies circumstances for certificate cancellation or revocation — personnel who cause accidents due to violations of operating procedures, fail two consecutive renewal assessments, or are found cheating during assessments shall have their certificates cancelled or revoked. Kelude reminds customers that the appointed person training certificate and the special equipment operator certificate (issued by market supervision authorities) are two distinct credentials. The special equipment operator certificate is a legally required credential, while the GB/T 25850-2010 training certificate demonstrates the enterprise's internal management standards. The two complement each other, and it is recommended that certified personnel hold both credentials.

Safe Operating Code for Daily Operations

The standard sets forth detailed safe operating code for the daily operations of appointed persons. During the lifting preparation phase, the signal person must verify that the crane and lifting spreaders are in good technical condition (by checking the operator's routine inspection checklist), confirm the load weight (using a weighing device when necessary), and ensure the work area is free of personnel, obstructions, and maintained at a safe distance (no less than 0.5m) from surrounding equipment. When securing loads, the rigger must select appropriate lifting spreaders and lifting points based on the load's shape, center of gravity position, and material. For loads with an unknown center of gravity, a trial lift must be conducted to determine the center of gravity position. Single-point suspension is strictly prohibited for lifting irregular loads.

During the lifting execution phase, the standard establishes the "Ten No-Lift Rules" — no lift when hand signals are unclear, no lift without a safety supervisor present, no lift when overloaded, no lift when the load is not properly secured, no lift when personnel are standing on the load, no lift when safety devices are malfunctioning, no lift when visibility is poor due to inadequate lighting, no lift in winds of Force 6 or above (outdoor operations), no lift when pulling at an angle, and no lift when the load has sharp edges without protection. Signal communication must use standardized hand signals (in accordance with GB/T 5082-2019, "Cranes — Hand Signals"), and when using two-way radios, every command must be followed by a verbal confirmation from the receiving party. Kelude provides customers with a complete appointed person safe operation manual and signal specification wall chart at equipment delivery, helping on-site personnel quickly master standard operating essentials.

Accident Prevention and Emergency Response

The standard places strong emphasis on the role of appointed persons in accident prevention and emergency response. In terms of accident prevention, appointed persons must possess hazard identification capabilities, enabling them to recognize mechanical hazards in lifting operations (crushing, shearing, entanglement, drawing-in), electrical hazards (electric shock, static electricity), environmental hazards (insufficient lighting, confined work spaces, multi-crane cross operations), and human factors (fatigue, distraction, communication barriers). The standard recommends the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) method, requiring a pre-lift meeting before each lifting operation to analyze potential risks step by step and develop preventive measures. JSA analysis forms must be archived for future reference.

In terms of emergency response, the standard requires appointed persons to master the following emergency procedures: emergency handling when a load stops moving mid-lift (slowly lowering the load, establishing a warning zone, and diagnosing the fault); emergency evacuation procedures for sudden wire rope fracture (sending an emergency stop signal, evacuating personnel, and preserving the scene); emergency operation when brakes fail (reverse short-circuit braking, using counterweight or fixed anchor points for deceleration); and procedures for sudden weather changes — strong winds, heavy rain, lightning (stopping operations, securing the load, and lowering the boom). The standard also requires emergency drills to be conducted at least once every six months, with drill processes and rectification items documented. Kelude's crane products come standard with an Emergency Stop Button and an audible and visual alarm device. When an operator triggers the emergency stop, the control system automatically records the stop time and status for subsequent analysis and traceability.

Kelude not only provides appointed person training programs compliant with GB/T 25850-2010 but also offers customized safety training services tailored to specific equipment and operating conditions. Through a combination of theoretical training, video instruction, and on-site simulation, Kelude helps customers develop a highly competent appointed person workforce, building the first line of defense for lifting operation safety at the personnel level. When selecting a crane equipment supplier, it is recommended to prioritize those with a comprehensive training service system and standardized training materials.

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