NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the hand signal for 'swing' (rotate the crane)?
- Arm extended, point finger in direction of swing
- Arm extended horizontally, index finger extended, pointing in the direction of boom swing (Correct answer)
- Both arms extended pointing the same direction
- Making a circular motion with both hands
Correct answer: Arm extended horizontally, index finger extended, pointing in the direction of boom swing
The swing signal is given with the arm extended horizontally and the index finger pointing in the direction the boom should swing. The signal person positions themselves where the operator can see both them and the swing direction.
Question 2: Before the first lift of the day, the operator and signal person should:
- Exchange phone numbers
- Review and confirm the hand signals to be used, establish a communication protocol (Correct answer)
- Shake hands and begin work
- Only discuss the weather
Correct answer: Review and confirm the hand signals to be used, establish a communication protocol
A pre-operation meeting between operator and signal person ensures both understand the signals, communication method, emergency procedures, and specific lift requirements for the day.
Question 3: The hand signal for 'lower the load' is:
- Arm extended, palm up, moving in upward circles
- Arm extended downward, index finger pointing down, moving in small circles (Correct answer)
- Thumbs down
- Both palms facing down, pushing downward
Correct answer: Arm extended downward, index finger pointing down, moving in small circles
The lower signal mirrors the hoist signal but in the opposite direction: arm down, finger pointing down, with small circular hand movements indicating the lowering pace.
Question 4: What should a signal person do if they cannot clearly see the load?
- Give signals based on their best guess
- Stop all operations and reposition to maintain clear sight of the load, rigging, and the operator (Correct answer)
- Ask someone else to watch the load
- Continue signaling from their current position
Correct answer: Stop all operations and reposition to maintain clear sight of the load, rigging, and the operator
Signal persons must maintain clear visual contact with the load AND the crane operator. If line of sight is lost, operations stop until the signal person repositions or an intermediate signal person is used.
Question 5: What does the 'dog everything' signal mean?
- Release all animals from the work area
- Stop all functions — a complete freeze of all crane movements (Correct answer)
- Secure all equipment to the crane
- Lower everything to the ground
Correct answer: Stop all functions — a complete freeze of all crane movements
'Dog everything' means a complete stop of all crane functions — hoist, swing, boom, and travel. It's given when all operations need to cease immediately.
Question 6: When must hand signals be used instead of radio communication?
- Never — radios are always preferred
- When radio communication fails or isn't available, and during any operations where the operator cannot clearly hear radio transmissions (Correct answer)
- Only during nighttime operations
- Hand signals are obsolete and never required
Correct answer: When radio communication fails or isn't available, and during any operations where the operator cannot clearly hear radio transmissions
Hand signals serve as the primary backup when radios fail. Additionally, on noisy sites where radio communication may be unclear, hand signals provide a reliable visual communication method.
NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 3
What is the hand signal for 'swing' (rotate the crane)?