NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 2

Question 1

Who is qualified to give hand signals to a crane operator?

Accepted Answer

Only a designated, qualified signal person known to the operator

Answer

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'?

Accepted Answer

Arm extended, palm down, held rigid — moved horizontally back and forth

Answer

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)?

Accepted Answer

Arm extended pointing up, index finger pointing up, moving in small circles

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Stop all operations and clarify who is the designated signal person

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Arm extended, palm down, moved rapidly back and forth — same as stop but more urgently

Answer

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.

NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) Practice Test

NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) Practice Test

NCCCO Hand Signals & Communication Protocols 2