Signal Person Practice Test: 10 Questions with Answers
The written part of a signal person evaluation checks whether you know the rules of Subpart CC, not just the hand shapes. These ten questions cover exactly that: when you are needed, how radio and voice signals must work, and what happens when communication drops.
Based on: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1417(y), 1926.1419–1422, 1926.1428
Question 1 of 10
Which situation requires a signal person under OSHA’s crane standard?
Question 2 of 10
Who can qualify a crane signal person?
Question 3 of 10
How must a signal person demonstrate that they meet the qualification requirements?
Question 4 of 10
Who is the crane operator required to obey when a stop or emergency stop signal is given?
Question 5 of 10
Apart from stop signals, how many people may give signals to a crane at one time?
Question 6 of 10
Where must the hand signal chart be during hoisting operations?
Question 7 of 10
When signals go by radio, how must the operator receive them?
Question 8 of 10
Each voice signal must contain three elements. In what order?
Question 9 of 10
The radio cuts out in the middle of a lift. What must the operator do?
Question 10 of 10
Directions given to the operator — "swing left", "boom right" — are given from whose point of view?
Answer key with explanations (spoilers — take the quiz first)
1. Which situation requires a signal person under OSHA’s crane standard?
Answer: The operator cannot see the load travel or the landing area
A signal person is required when the point of operation is not in the operator’s full view, when the view in the direction of travel is blocked, or when the operator or the person handling the load decides one is needed for site-specific safety reasons.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419(a)
2. Who can qualify a crane signal person?
Answer: A third-party qualified evaluator, or the employer’s own qualified evaluator
There are two routes: documentation from a third-party qualified evaluator, or an assessment by the employer’s qualified evaluator. The employer’s version is not portable — a new employer cannot rely on it. The documentation must be available on site.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1428(a)(1)–(3)
3. How must a signal person demonstrate that they meet the qualification requirements?
Answer: An oral or written test, and a practical test
Both are required: an oral or written test for the knowledge, and a practical test for applying the signals. A practice quiz like this one warms you up for the first part; it replaces neither.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1428(c)(5)
4. Who is the crane operator required to obey when a stop or emergency stop signal is given?
Answer: Anyone who gives it
The operator must obey a stop or emergency stop signal no matter who gives it. Anyone who sees a safety problem is expected to give that signal.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1417(y); 1926.1419(j)
5. Apart from stop signals, how many people may give signals to a crane at one time?
Answer: One
Only one person may give signals at a time. The single exception is the stop or emergency stop, which anyone can give.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419(h), (j)
6. Where must the hand signal chart be during hoisting operations?
Answer: Posted on the equipment or conspicuously in the vicinity of the hoisting
The chart must be posted on the equipment or conspicuously near the hoisting operation. Memorizing the signals is still expected of the signal person — the chart is there for everyone else.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1422
7. When signals go by radio, how must the operator receive them?
Answer: Through a hands-free system
The operator’s reception must be hands-free, the channel must be dedicated (with narrow exceptions), and the radios must be tested on site before operations begin.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1420(a)–(c)
8. Each voice signal must contain three elements. In what order?
Answer: Function and direction; distance and/or speed; function stop
Function (hoist, boom, swing) and direction first, then distance and/or speed, then the function stop. Operator, signal person and lift director agree on the voice signals before work starts.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1421(a)–(b)
9. The radio cuts out in the middle of a lift. What must the operator do?
Answer: Safely stop operations that require signals until communication is re-established and a proper signal is given
If the ability to transmit signals is interrupted at any time, the operator must safely stop the operations that need signals until it is restored and a proper signal is given and understood.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419(f)
10. Directions given to the operator — "swing left", "boom right" — are given from whose point of view?
Answer: The operator’s
All directions must be given from the operator’s direction perspective. Face the operator and your left is their right — this is where swing mistakes start.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1419(k)
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This is a practice quiz, not a certification or a qualification. It is scored in your browser, nothing is recorded, and passing it does not satisfy any OSHA training requirement. Answers reflect the cited standards as published; where your employer, site owner or the equipment manufacturer sets a stricter rule, that rule applies.