OSHA crane signal person qualifications study guide
29 CFR 1926.1428 sets out how a signal person for cranes and derricks in construction (OSHA Subpart CC) must be qualified. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on who must ensure a signal person is qualified and by when, the two options for meeting that duty, the documentation the employer must make available at the site, what must happen when a signal person's later actions indicate the requirements are not met, and the Qualification Requirements themselves, with related definitions from 1926.1401. It is a short section, so this guide is shorter than the others in this cluster. goraedu does not qualify or evaluate signal persons, and this is not a qualification test. Your State may run its own OSHA-approved plan with its own rules, so check them too. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Who must make sure, and when
The duty falls on the employer of the signal person: that employer must ensure each signal person meets the Qualification Requirements in paragraph (c) before giving any signals.
“The employer of the signal person must ensure that each signal person meets the Qualification Requirements (paragraph (c) of this section) prior to giving any signals.”
The requirement must be met through one of two options: Option (1) or Option (2).
“This requirement must be met by using either Option (1) or Option (2) of this section.”
Option (1) and Option (2)
Option (1) is a third party qualified evaluator: the signal person has documentation from that evaluator showing that he or she meets the Qualification Requirements.
“Option (1)—Third party qualified evaluator. The signal person has documentation from a third party qualified evaluator (see Qualified Evaluator (third party), § 1926.1401 for definition) showing that the signal person meets the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section).”
Option (2) is the employer's qualified evaluator, who assesses the individual, determines that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements and provides documentation of that determination.
“Option (2)—Employer's qualified evaluator. The employer's qualified (see Qualified Evaluator (not a third party), § 1926.1401 for definition) evaluator assesses the individual and determines that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section) and provides documentation of that determination.”
An assessment by an employer's qualified evaluator under Option (2) is not portable: other employers are not permitted to use it to meet the section's requirements.
“An assessment by an employer's qualified evaluator under this option is not portable—other employers are not permitted to use it to meet the requirements of this section.”
Not covered here
Section 1926.1428 does not say how long an assessment or a third party's documentation stays valid. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Documentation
Whichever option is used, the employer must make the documentation available at the site while the signal person is employed by the employer.
“The employer must make the documentation for whichever option is used available at the site while the signal person is employed by the employer.”
The documentation must specify each type of signaling the signal person meets the requirements of paragraph (c) for. The rule's examples are hand signals and radio signals.
“The documentation must specify each type of signaling (e.g. hand signals, radio signals, etc.) for which the signal person meets the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.”
When a signal person falls short
If the signal person's later actions indicate that he or she does not meet the Qualification Requirements, the employer must not allow the individual to keep working as a signal person until re-training is provided and a re-assessment under paragraph (a) confirms that the individual meets the requirements.
“If subsequent actions by the signal person indicate that the individual does not meet the Qualification Requirements (see paragraph (c) of this section), the employer must not allow the individual to continue working as a signal person until re-training is provided and a re-assessment is made in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section that confirms that the individual meets the Qualification Requirements.”
Qualification Requirements
Each signal person must know and understand the type of signals used.
“Qualification Requirements. Each signal person must: (1) Know and understand the type of signals used.”
If hand signals are used, the signal person must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals.
“If hand signals are used, the signal person must know and understand the Standard Method for hand signals.”
Each signal person must be competent in the application of the type of signals used.
“Be competent in the application of the type of signals used.”
Each signal person must have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads.
“Have a basic understanding of equipment operation and limitations, including the crane dynamics involved in swinging and stopping loads and boom deflection from hoisting loads.”
Each signal person must know and understand the relevant requirements of §§ 1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and 1926.1428.
“Know and understand the relevant requirements of §§ 1926.1419 through 1926.1422 and 1926.1428.”
The signal person must demonstrate that he or she meets the requirements in (c)(1) through (4) through an oral or written test, and through a practical test.
“Demonstrate that he/she meets the requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section through an oral or written test, and through a practical test.”
Not covered here
We hold §§ 1926.1419 and 1926.1428 but not §§ 1926.1420 to 1926.1422 or appendix A, so their content is not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Related definitions
Section 1926.1401 defines a qualified evaluator (third party) as an entity that, due to its independence and expertise, has demonstrated that it is competent in accurately assessing whether individuals meet the subpart's Qualification Requirements for a signal person.
“Qualified evaluator (third party) means an entity that, due to its independence and expertise, has demonstrated that it is competent in accurately assessing whether individuals meet the Qualification Requirements in this subpart for a signal person.”
Section 1926.1401 defines a qualified evaluator (not a third party) as a person employed by the signal person's employer who has demonstrated competence in accurately assessing whether individuals meet the subpart's Qualification Requirements for a signal person.
“Qualified evaluator (not a third party) means a person employed by the signal person's employer who has demonstrated that he/she is competent in accurately assessing whether individuals meet the Qualification Requirements in this subpart for a signal person.”
Section 1926.1401 defines the Standard Method as the protocol in appendix A of the subpart for hand signals.
“Standard Method means the protocol in appendix A of this subpart for hand signals.”
Not covered here
Appendix A (the hand signal protocol) is not described here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1428, Signal person qualifications (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other OSHA crane operator study guides: Power line safety, Inspections, Operation and work area control, Signals, Operator training, certification and evaluation, Hoisting personnel