NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In low-visibility or noisy environments where hand signals and radio are both impractical, what backup communication method is NCCCO-recognized?
- Shouting commands through a megaphone
- Using a pre-agreed whistle or air horn code (Correct answer)
- Flashing a flashlight in Morse code
- Calling the operator on a personal cell phone
Correct answer: Using a pre-agreed whistle or air horn code
NCCCO and ASME B30.5 recognize audible signals (horn or whistle codes) as an acceptable backup when standard methods are impractical.
Question 2: What is the correct hand signal for 'Extend Boom' (telescoping)?
- Both fists together, thumbs pointing outward (Correct answer)
- One arm extended upward, index finger pointing to sky
- Both hands open, palms facing down, moving outward
- Thumbs up with arm swinging side to side
Correct answer: Both fists together, thumbs pointing outward
To signal 'Extend Boom,' both fists are held together with thumbs pointing outward, mimicking the boom telescoping out.
Question 3: A newly assigned signalperson arrives on a job site. Before they direct any crane operation, what NCCCO requirement must be met?
- They must be verified as qualified and acknowledged by the operator before work begins (Correct answer)
- They must watch three complete lifts before taking over
- They must sign a safety form witnessed by the foreman
- They only need verbal confirmation from the site supervisor
Correct answer: They must be verified as qualified and acknowledged by the operator before work begins
NCCCO and OSHA require the signalperson to be qualified (trained and evaluated) and the crane operator must acknowledge them before any signals are given.
Question 4: During a pick-and-carry operation, who has primary authority over travel direction signals?
- The rigger walking alongside the load
- The appointed signalperson designated before the operation began (Correct answer)
- Any ground worker along the travel path
- The site foreman following behind the crane
Correct answer: The appointed signalperson designated before the operation began
Only the pre-designated signalperson has authority to direct the operator during pick-and-carry; random workers along the path cannot override this.
Question 5: What does it mean when a signalperson taps the top of their helmet with an open palm?
- Move load to the right
- Stop — safety issue overhead
- This is a crane operator signal only — not a standard ASME hand signal (Correct answer)
- Lower the boom
Correct answer: This is a crane operator signal only — not a standard ASME hand signal
Tapping the helmet is not an ASME B30.5 standardized hand signal; only the defined set of signals should be used to avoid misinterpretation.
Question 6: When a radio battery dies mid-lift and no backup is available, what should the signalperson do?
- Shout commands as loudly as possible until the lift is complete
- Signal STOP, advise the operator, and switch to hand signals before resuming (Correct answer)
- Have a coworker relay shouted commands to the operator
- Continue using the dead radio while hand signaling simultaneously
Correct answer: Signal STOP, advise the operator, and switch to hand signals before resuming
If radio fails, the lift must stop and both parties must agree to switch to an alternative method (typically standardized hand signals) before continuing.
Question 7: Which of the following correctly describes the hand signal for 'Retract Boom' (telescoping in)?
- Both fists held together with thumbs pointing inward toward each other (Correct answer)
- Both hands open, palms facing body, pulling inward
- One arm extended, index finger making circular motion
- Both arms crossed at chest level
Correct answer: Both fists held together with thumbs pointing inward toward each other
To signal 'Retract Boom,' both fists are held together with thumbs pointing inward, the opposite of the extend signal.
NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 5
In low-visibility or noisy environments where hand signals and radio are both impractical, what backup communication method is NCCCO-recognized?