RSP Signal Person Responsibilities & Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When must a signal person be used during crane operations?
- Whenever the operator has an unobstructed view of the load path
- When the point of operation is not in full view of the operator (Correct answer)
- Only when the load exceeds 10,000 pounds
- When the crane boom angle exceeds 60 degrees
Correct answer: When the point of operation is not in full view of the operator
OSHA requires a signal person whenever the operator cannot see the load, the load path, or the landing zone.
Question 2: Which of the following is a primary responsibility of a signal person?
- Selecting the appropriate rigging hardware
- Ensuring the crane is properly maintained
- Alerting the operator to hazards in or near the swing radius (Correct answer)
- Calculating the load's center of gravity
Correct answer: Alerting the operator to hazards in or near the swing radius
A key duty of the signal person is to watch for hazards, especially in the crane's swing radius, and communicate them to the operator.
Question 3: What should a signal person do if they lose sight of the load during a lift?
- Continue signaling based on the last known load position
- Signal the operator to stop immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask a bystander to watch the load temporarily
- Reduce signal frequency until the load is visible again
Correct answer: Signal the operator to stop immediately
If the signal person loses sight of the load, they must immediately signal the operator to stop until visibility is restored.
Question 4: When two signal persons are used simultaneously on a job site, how should signals be coordinated?
- Both signal persons may give signals at the same time
- One designated signal person should give all signals at any one time (Correct answer)
- The operator decides which signal person to follow
- The signal person nearest to the load always takes priority
Correct answer: One designated signal person should give all signals at any one time
Only one signal person should give signals to the operator at any given time to prevent confusion and accidents.
Question 5: A signal person notices an overhead power line in the crane's path that the operator may not see. What is the correct action?
- Wait until the operator requests information
- Quietly inform the rigger and let them decide
- Immediately give the stop signal and alert the operator to the hazard (Correct answer)
- Signal the crane to slow down and proceed with caution
Correct answer: Immediately give the stop signal and alert the operator to the hazard
Overhead power lines are critical hazards requiring an immediate stop signal and direct communication to the operator.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the 'dog everything' signal?
- To indicate all workers should leave the area
- To stop all crane functions and secure the load in place (Correct answer)
- To lower the load to the ground immediately
- To signal the crane to move to a new position
Correct answer: To stop all crane functions and secure the load in place
'Dog everything' means to stop all crane motion and secure or hold all functions in their current position.
Question 7: Before a lift begins, a signal person should verify which of the following?
- That all workers on site can see the signals being given
- That communication methods are established and understood by the operator (Correct answer)
- That the crane's fuel tank is full for the operation
- That the load manifest has been reviewed by the site supervisor
Correct answer: That communication methods are established and understood by the operator
Confirming that communication methods are agreed upon before the lift starts is a fundamental pre-lift responsibility of the signal person.
RSP Signal Person Responsibilities & Communication 2
When must a signal person be used during crane operations?