Banksman

In British civil engineering, a banksman is the skilled trade which directs the operation of a crane from the point near where loads are attached and detached.

Contemporary

Crane drivers do not always have clear visibility of the loading area, especially when tower cranes are employed. The banksman is in charge of the crane movements from the point of loading and unloading. They may use a system of hand signals of a radio link.

A banksman may also be responsible for the reversing and loading / unloading of lorries.

Historic

Historic use was in the coal mining industry:- 1825: the man stationed at the bank or top of a pit who unhooks and empties the laden corves into carts or wagons, from a frame or stage. 1849: the man who draws the full tubs from the cages at the surface, when wound up by the engine, and replaces them with empty ones ; he also puts the full tubs to the weighing machine, and thence to the skreens, upon which he teems the coals. It is also his duty to keep an account of the quantity of coals and stones drawn each day. 1894: Person who controls the unloading and loading of the cage at the pit top, and signals the descent of the workmen

References

• RoSPA's Safty course material
• Health and Safety executive Banksmans Signals video
• Durham Mining Museum Historic use in coal industry.