2Dig Plain comparisons of crane signalling and jobsite communication tools

Manage construction activities for contractors

Steps, tool choices and checks for general contractors managing construction activities, with OperatorLink as one option for crew signals.

By 2Dig ยท

2Dig is published by the makers of OperatorLink, which is compared here alongside other tools.

General contractors can manage construction activities by preparing plans, assigning responsibilities, tracking work and checking communication tools. OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1]

OptionWhat it doesFeeCard fee
OperatorLinkShows 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
Construction scheduling softwarenot publishednot publishednot published
Project management softwarenot publishednot publishednot published

What you need before you start

Before managing a construction activity, have the work scope, schedule, responsibilities and communication methods ready. Make sure the crew knows who handles each task and how updates will be shared. For lift activities that use OperatorLink, the person starting the jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1] The crew can use a phone browser because OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install. [1] Check that phones have a working data signal before relying on browser communication, because button presses, chat and voice pass between phones in a browser. [1] Decide how the crew will handle STOP, HOLD and SLOW signals before work 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]

Step by step

  1. Define the work activity, the people involved and the order of tasks before the crew starts.
  1. Set clear responsibilities so each person knows what information they need to share and who makes decisions during the work.
  1. Review the schedule and identify points where the crew needs updates before moving from one activity to another.
  1. Choose tools that match the work. For OperatorLink, the person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1]
  1. Confirm communication before the activity begins. OperatorLink passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a browser. [1]
  1. Agree on signal use before moving equipment. STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1] HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
  1. Check that the crew understands how movement commands work. Holding a move button keeps sending that move to the other phones, and if it stops arriving for 2 seconds, they drop it. [1]
  1. Review the activity after completion and note any communication issues, schedule changes or follow-up work.

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] [1] Nobody needs to install an app; the page runs in a browser. [1] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1]

Construction scheduling software is an option for organizing work dates, tasks and updates. No facts here describe a specific tool, so check what each option includes before choosing.

Project management software is another option for tracking work information. No facts here describe a specific tool, so check what each option includes before choosing.

A phone video call app can be considered for communication. No facts here describe a specific tool, so check whether it matches the crew's work needs.

Match the option to the activity and the crew's communication needs. Keep a fallback method ready when a communication tool depends on phone access.

Common mistakes to avoid

Starting work without clear task ownership can make updates harder to manage, so assign responsibilities before activity begins. Forgetting to confirm communication methods can create confusion during work, so check the chosen tools before the activity starts. Leaving an OperatorLink jobsite empty and expecting it to stay open later can cause problems because a jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1] Assuming every phone handles alerts the same way can cause missed signals because on Android browsers signals such as STOP make the phone buzz, while iPhone Safari ignores the buzz. [1] Forgetting that HOLD and SLOW stay active until the last person leaves can create confusion, so clear them on purpose when work is done. [1]

Frequently asked questions

Is OperatorLink free to use?

OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1] It runs in a phone browser with no app install. [1] Before using it for a jobsite, check that the phones have the data access needed for browser communication during the activity.

How does OperatorLink show crane crew signals?

OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1] The crew joins when the person starting the jobsite shares a link or QR code. [1]

How does OperatorLink handle the STOP signal?

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?

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] For a new activity, share a current link or QR code with the crew.

Can OperatorLink send voice and chat during a lift?

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 OperatorLink

Sources

  1. OperatorLink's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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