RSP Signal Person Responsibilities & Communication 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the hand signal of tapping the top of the head with a fist, then using regular signals, indicate?
- Engage the crane's load line brake
- Use the main hoist (Correct answer)
- Use the whip line (auxiliary hoist)
- Activate the emergency stop
Correct answer: Use the main hoist
Tapping the top of the head with a fist before a signal indicates that the main hoist should be used for the following command.
Question 2: At what point is a signal person permitted to leave their post during an active lift?
- When the load is secured at its destination and all crane movement has stopped (Correct answer)
- After the load passes the midpoint of its travel path
- Once the load clears the ground by at least 10 feet
- When the operator acknowledges the load is stable
Correct answer: When the load is secured at its destination and all crane movement has stopped
A signal person must remain at their post until the load is fully secured, placed, and all crane motion has ceased.
Question 3: Which signal is used to indicate 'swing'?
- Point with finger in the direction of the swing, then circle arm overhead
- Extend arm horizontally, point with finger in the direction of rotation (Correct answer)
- Wave both arms in the direction of desired swing
- Rotate closed fist in the direction of the desired swing
Correct answer: Extend arm horizontally, point with finger in the direction of rotation
The 'swing' signal is given by extending the arm horizontally and pointing with the index finger in the direction the operator should swing.
Question 4: A signal person observes that a tag line has become tangled during a lift. What is the correct immediate action?
- Signal for a slow lower while workers untangle the tag line
- Signal stop, then assess the situation before any further movement (Correct answer)
- Continue the lift if the entanglement appears minor
- Signal the operator to hoist higher to clear the entanglement
Correct answer: Signal stop, then assess the situation before any further movement
Any entanglement or unexpected condition requires an immediate stop signal to assess the hazard before any further movement.
Question 5: Which of the following qualifications must a signal person possess to legally give signals on a US job site under OSHA 1926.1428?
- A minimum of five years of crane operating experience
- Knowledge of the signals used, meaning of each, and who is authorized to give them (Correct answer)
- A Class A commercial driver's license
- Completion of an OSHA 30-hour construction course
Correct answer: Knowledge of the signals used, meaning of each, and who is authorized to give them
OSHA 1926.1428 requires signal persons to know the signals, their meanings, and who is authorized to give them, and to be either qualified or certified.
Question 6: During a blind lift using radio communication, what must the signal person do when the load reaches its destination?
- Cease radio contact and allow the operator to finish independently
- Confirm via radio that the load is landed and secured before releasing the operator (Correct answer)
- Immediately unhook the load and radio that the hook is clear
- Signal 'all clear' only after the rigger removes the rigging
Correct answer: Confirm via radio that the load is landed and secured before releasing the operator
The signal person must radio the operator to confirm the load is safely landed before the operator releases tension or moves the crane.
Question 7: What does the signal person's outstretched arm with a closed fist and thumb pointing sideways indicate?
- Travel — move the crane in the direction the thumb points
- Extend the boom in the direction the thumb points
- Retract the crane outriggers
- This is not a standard ASME crane signal (Correct answer)
Correct answer: This is not a standard ASME crane signal
A closed fist with a sideways thumb is not a recognized ASME/ANSI standard hand signal for crane operations.
RSP Signal Person Responsibilities & Communication 4
What does the hand signal of tapping the top of the head with a fist, then using regular signals, indicate?