Mobile Crane Operator — Core Knowledge
Signals: practice questions
Our Crane Operator bank has 18 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
When using radios for signals, what is required?
- Music in the background
- No identification
- A dedicated channel and voice signals that identify the crane and use agreed terms
- Any channel
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C. A dedicated channel and voice signals that identify the crane and use agreed terms — Voice signals must be agreed before the lift.
Question 2
What does the 'hoist' hand signal look like?
- Fist on head
- Thumb pointing down
- Forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, moving the hand in small horizontal circles
- Arm extended, palm down
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C. Forearm vertical, forefinger pointing up, moving the hand in small horizontal circles — Lower uses the arm extended downward with forefinger pointing down.
Question 3
When using voice signals, what order should the information be given in?
- Direction first, then stop, then the function, and finally the distance to travel
- Speed, distance, stop, then the function
- Function, direction, distance and/or speed, then stop
- Stop, distance, direction, then the function
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C. Function, direction, distance and/or speed, then stop — 1926.1419 Appendix A and ASME B30.5.
Question 4
How is 'move slowly' signalled?
- The signal person points to the ground and nods
- One hand gives the motion signal and the other is held motionless in front of it
- The signal person taps their hard hat twice
- Both hands wave quickly back and forth above the head
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B. One hand gives the motion signal and the other is held motionless in front of it — Example: hoist slowly.
Question 5
What does the standard hand signal of a clenched fist on top of the head mean?
- Use the whipline (auxiliary)
- Swing
- Stop
- Use main hoist
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D. Use main hoist — Tapping the elbow means use the whipline.