NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is qualified to give hand signals to a crane operator?
- Any worker on the job site
- Only a designated, qualified signal person known to the operator (Correct answer)
- Only the site superintendent
- Anyone wearing a hard hat
Correct answer: Only a designated, qualified signal person known to the operator
Only a designated, qualified signal person should give signals. The operator must know who their designated signal person is before operations begin. OSHA requires signal persons to be qualified.
Question 2: What is the standard hand signal for 'stop'?
- Waving both hands overhead
- Arm extended, palm down, held rigid — moved horizontally back and forth (Correct answer)
- Making a fist
- Pointing at the ground
Correct answer: Arm extended, palm down, held rigid — moved horizontally back and forth
The stop signal is one arm extended horizontally with palm down, moved rigidly back and forth. It's one of the most critical signals every crane worker must recognize.
Question 3: What is the standard hand signal for 'hoist' (raise the load)?
- Arm extended pointing up, index finger pointing up, moving in small circles (Correct answer)
- Both arms waving overhead
- Thumbs up
- Arm extended horizontally
Correct answer: Arm extended pointing up, index finger pointing up, moving in small circles
The hoist signal is made with the arm extended upward, index finger pointing up, and the hand making small horizontal circles. The movement indicates the direction and pace of the hoist.
Question 4: What should happen if the operator receives signals from two different people simultaneously?
- Follow the signal from the more senior person
- Stop all operations and clarify who is the designated signal person (Correct answer)
- Follow whichever signal seems safest
- Average the two signals
Correct answer: Stop all operations and clarify who is the designated signal person
Only one designated signal person should communicate with the operator at a time. If conflicting signals are received, stop immediately and resolve the communication issue before proceeding.
Question 5: What is the 'emergency stop' signal?
- Any frantic waving
- Arm extended, palm down, moved rapidly back and forth — same as stop but more urgently (Correct answer)
- Screaming 'stop'
- Running away from the crane
Correct answer: Arm extended, palm down, moved rapidly back and forth — same as stop but more urgently
The emergency stop is the same arm motion as the regular stop signal but executed with greater urgency. Importantly, ANYONE on site can give the emergency stop signal.
Question 6: When voice communication (radio) is used instead of hand signals, what protocol must be followed?
- Any language is acceptable
- Use standard crane operation terminology, confirm each command, and maintain continuous communication (Correct answer)
- Just speak clearly
- Only use radios in emergencies
Correct answer: Use standard crane operation terminology, confirm each command, and maintain continuous communication
Radio communication must use standardized terminology, include confirmation (read-back) of commands, maintain an open channel during operations, and follow the same command structure as hand signals.
NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 2
Who is qualified to give hand signals to a crane operator?