RSP Signal Person Responsibilities & Communication 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the signal person's responsibility regarding the crane's load chart?
- The signal person must verify all lifts are within the crane's rated capacity (Correct answer)
- The signal person has no responsibility for load chart compliance
- The signal person must post the load chart in a visible location
- The signal person calculates load weight using the load chart
Correct answer: The signal person must verify all lifts are within the crane's rated capacity
The signal person must be aware of the crane's rated capacity and should not direct lifts that appear to exceed safe limits.
Question 2: When flagging signals are used instead of hand signals, what color flags are typically used by the signal person?
- Red and green flags (Correct answer)
- Orange and yellow flags
- Blue and white flags
- Any bright-colored flags are acceptable as long as they are visible
Correct answer: Red and green flags
ASME standards specify red and green flags for crane flagging signals, with each color corresponding to specific operations.
Question 3: A new crane operator is assigned to a job where signals will be used. Who is responsible for ensuring the operator and signal person use the same signal system?
- The general contractor's safety officer
- Both the operator and signal person, confirmed before operations begin (Correct answer)
- The signal person alone, as they give all signals
- The operator alone, as they must understand incoming signals
Correct answer: Both the operator and signal person, confirmed before operations begin
Both the operator and the signal person must mutually confirm and agree on the signal system to be used before any lift begins.
Question 4: What does it mean when a signal person uses the 'emergency stop' signal?
- Gently slow all crane movements to a halt over 30 seconds
- Stop all crane movement immediately due to a safety emergency (Correct answer)
- Signal to the crane operator to lower the load to the ground
- Alert the crew to prepare for an emergency evacuation
Correct answer: Stop all crane movement immediately due to a safety emergency
The emergency stop signal requires the operator to stop all crane movements immediately regardless of load position.
Question 5: Under which condition may a signal person give signals while not facing the crane operator?
- When the signal person is wearing a high-visibility vest
- When radio communication is being used as the primary signal method (Correct answer)
- When the crane has an automatic load sensor system
- A signal person must always face the operator when giving signals
Correct answer: When radio communication is being used as the primary signal method
When radio communication is used, the signal person does not need to face the operator because voice commands replace visual hand signals.
Question 6: What is the correct hand signal for 'extend boom' (boom out)?
- Both fists together in front of the body, thumbs pointing outward (Correct answer)
- Arms extended horizontally with palms facing outward, push away from body
- One hand held flat, palm up, moved outward from body
- Tap elbow with the opposite hand, then point in direction of extension
Correct answer: Both fists together in front of the body, thumbs pointing outward
The standard signal for 'extend boom' (telescope out) is both fists together with thumbs pointing away from each other.
Question 7: If verbal communication is used as the signal method during crane operations, what standard must be met?
- Verbal commands must be shouted loudly enough for all workers to hear
- Voice signals must follow a standard list of words with defined meanings agreed upon by operator and signal person (Correct answer)
- Only the signal words 'up', 'down', 'left', and 'right' may be used
- Verbal communication alone is never permitted; a secondary visual signal is always required
Correct answer: Voice signals must follow a standard list of words with defined meanings agreed upon by operator and signal person
When verbal signals are used, both the operator and signal person must agree on specific words with defined meanings to prevent misinterpretation.
RSP Signal Person Responsibilities & Communication 5
What is the signal person's responsibility regarding the crane's load chart?