Banksman

In British civil engineering, a banksman (reversing assistant) is the skilled person who directs the operation of a crane or larger vehicle from the point near where loads are attached and detached. The term 'dogman' may be used in Australian and New Zealand.

Contemporary

Crane or large vehicle 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 or a radio link.

A banksman may also be responsible for the loading/unloading of lorries and directing the movement of other plant. A banksman may also control the movements of an excavator, by carefully monitoring the bucket for any obstructions or underground services.

Historic

1825: the man stationed at the bank or top of a pit who unhooks and empties the laden corves [1] 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 Safety course material
• Health and Safety executive Banksman's Signals video
• Durham Mining Museum Historic use in coal industry.
• [2] Cornish Tin Mining Terms.