According to ASME B30.5, how must any audible emergency signal be determined?

The requirement that any audible emergency signal be agreed upon at each job site location is significant because it ensures that all personnel working in that specific environment understand and recognize the signal as part of their safety protocols. This flexibility allows for different signals to be tailored to the unique circumstances of each job site, taking into account factors such as site layout, the type of equipment being used, and the specific team dynamics.

By agreeing on the signal at the job site level, crews can effectively communicate an emergency situation, ensuring immediate action can be taken based on a shared understanding among all workers present. This method of establishing the signal fosters collaboration and enhances safety, as every worker needs to be aware of and recognize emergency signals unique to their operational setting.

Standardizing signals across all job sites or having them established by the crane manufacturer might not adequately address local needs or conditions. Documenting the signal in the crane operation manual is also useful, but without prior agreement at the job site level, the effectiveness of that documentation is diminished if the crew does not have a shared understanding of it. Thus, agreement at each job site is the most practical and effective approach.