How to communicate during loading operations
Ways for port terminal workers to prepare, use tools and avoid communication mistakes during loading operations with phone and voice options.
2Dig is published by the makers of OperatorLink, which is compared here alongside other tools.
Port terminal workers can plan signals, confirm communication methods and choose tools that match the loading operation. OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew, and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1]
| Option | What it does | Fee | Card fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| OperatorLink | Shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [1] | Currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1] | not published |
| Phone video call app | not published | not published | not published |
| Two-way radio | not published | not published | not published |
What you need before you start
Before loading starts, agree on who sends signals, who receives them and what words or signals everyone will use. Check that each worker has the needed communication equipment and that everyone knows how to raise a stop request.
For OperatorLink, the crew needs phones with a working browser and data signal because button presses, chat and voice pass between phones in a browser. [1] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1] A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it. [1] A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1]
Decide how the crew will handle urgent stops before moving cargo. Clear roles and agreed signals help workers know what action to take during loading.
Step by step
- Gather the people involved in the loading operation and agree on the communication method before work begins.
- Check that each worker can see, hear or receive the signals needed for the task, and confirm how a stop request will be recognized.
- Start the chosen communication tool and make sure everyone who needs to take part has joined before moving cargo.
- For OperatorLink, the person who starts the jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1] The service runs in a phone browser with no app install. [1]
- Confirm the signals before the operation begins. OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew, and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1]
- Keep checking that communication continues during the lift or loading movement. Holding a move button keeps sending that move to the other phones, and if it stops arriving for 2 seconds, they drop it. [1]
- Use the agreed stop process when needed. STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1]
- At the end of the operation, close the session correctly and check whether a new session is needed for the next work period.
Tools that can do it
OperatorLink is made by the team that publishes this site. It shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1] It runs in a phone browser with no app install. [1] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1]
A phone video call app is another option. Check whether the crew can keep the call open for the whole loading operation and whether the needed workers can follow the communication clearly.
A two-way radio is another option. Check that the crew agrees on voice terms, that workers can hear each other during the task and that the channel is suitable for the operation.
A face-to-face signal process is another option. Check that workers have a clear view of the person giving signals and that everyone agrees on the signals before work begins.
Match the option to the crew and the site, and keep a fallback ready since communication methods can depend on equipment, surroundings and available connections.
Common mistakes to avoid
Starting loading without confirming the communication method can leave workers unsure about who gives signals and who receives them.
Assuming every phone reacts the same way can cause confusion. On Android browsers signals such as STOP make the phone buzz, while iPhone Safari ignores the buzz. [1]
Leaving a jobsite session open without people in it can cause the session to be removed. A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1]
Forgetting how HOLD and SLOW work can leave workers unclear about clearing signals. HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
Not checking a move signal during operation can create confusion. If a move stops arriving for 2 seconds, the other phones drop it. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Is OperatorLink free to use?
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1] The signals are shown through a phone browser, so the phone needs a working data signal during use. [1] Check the phone connection before using it during a loading operation.
How does OperatorLink send STOP signals?
STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1] HOLD and SLOW work differently because they stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
How long does an OperatorLink jobsite link work?
An OperatorLink jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it. [1] A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1] Start a new session when a new work period needs a fresh link.
Do OperatorLink STOP signals buzz on every phone?
On Android browsers, signals such as STOP make the phone buzz. [1] iPhone Safari ignores the buzz. [1] Check each phone before the loading operation so workers know how alerts appear on their device.
Can OperatorLink handle voice communication during loading operations?
Anyone who joins can take part in a voice call run from the phone browser. [1] One-tap radio-style calls such as Go Ahead, Copy That and All Clear are sent as chat messages. [1] Button presses, chat and voice pass between phones in a browser. [1]
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1]
Try OperatorLinkSources
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