The Specialised Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) of the USA has published a 95-page guide book: Lifting industry: weights, measures and signals.
The pocket sized book, compiled by veteran operator Mitch Vaussine, is designed to prevent accidents caused by operators and riggers who lack information about a load.
The guide book contains reference tables detailing the weight of commonly used materials, ranging from steel and aluminium sections to portable toilets.
It also has charts for converting fractions and decimals, simple formulae for calculating weights, an illustrated guide to hand signals, and safety tips.
There is also a section covering basic radio signals for boom equipment operation, which according to the SC&RA, appears to be the future of communication between people working on lifting operations.
Copies cost $7.95 and are available from the SC&RA. Fax (+1) 703 698 0297, or email info@scranet.org
