What is the role of the spotter?

• A. To provide ground-level visibility, maintain clearance, and communicate hazards to the operator and rigging team.
• B. To operate the crane.
• C. To repair lines.
• D. To calculate the load weight.

Answer: (A)

The spotter serves as the eyes on the ground, keeping a safe path for the crane movement by providing clear visibility of the load’s path and any hazards. They watch for obstacles, people, and power lines, maintain the required clearances, and relay hazards to the operator and rigging team so everyone can coordinate safely. With continuous communication—through hand signals or radios—the spotter guides movement, stops or slows the crane when danger appears, and helps ensure the load can be moved without striking anything or anyone.

This role doesn’t involve operating the crane, repairing lines, or calculating load weight. Those tasks belong to the operator, maintenance/rigging personnel, and load-weight calculations, respectively.