OSHA crane signals practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1926.1419. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Crane signals
20 questions across 7 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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When a signal person is required
1. In 1926.1419(a)(1), what does "point of operation" mean?
- A. The operator's cab and its operational controls
- B. The area within the swing radius of the rotating superstructure
- C. The load travel or the area near or at load placement
- D. The spot where the outriggers are set
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Answer: C. The load travel or the area near or at load placement
A signal person is required when "The point of operation, meaning the load travel or the area near or at load placement, is not in full view of the operator."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
2. Under 1926.1419(a)(2), what condition makes a signal person required while the equipment is traveling?
- A. The view in the direction of travel is obstructed
- B. The equipment is traveling with the boom fully extended
- C. The equipment is traveling at night
- D. The equipment is traveling on a public road
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Answer: A. The view in the direction of travel is obstructed
1926.1419(a)(2) applies "When the equipment is traveling, the view in the direction of travel is obstructed."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
3. Under 1926.1419(a)(3), who may determine that site specific safety concerns make a signal person necessary?
- A. Only a qualified evaluator (third party)
- B. Only the controlling entity
- C. Either the operator or the person handling the load
- D. Only the crane manufacturer
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Answer: C. Either the operator or the person handling the load
A signal person must be provided when, "Due to site specific safety concerns, either the operator or the person handling the load determines that it is necessary."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Types of signals and hand signals
4. How does 1926.1401 define the "Standard Method" that 1926.1419(c)(1) requires when hand signals are used?
- A. The signals printed in the equipment manufacturer's operating manual
- B. The protocol in appendix A of this subpart for hand signals
- C. Any set of hand signals that the operator and signal person agree on before the lift
- D. A national consensus standard for radio signals
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Answer: B. The protocol in appendix A of this subpart for hand signals
"Standard Method means the protocol in appendix A of this subpart for hand signals." Under 1926.1419(c)(1), "When using hand signals, the Standard Method must be used".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)
5. How does 1926.1401 define an "audible signal"?
- A. A signal made by a distinct sound or series of sounds
- B. A flashing light visible from the cab
- C. A signal shown on a video monitor in the cab
- D. A signal that only the crane's own horn can make
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Answer: A. A signal made by a distinct sound or series of sounds
"Audible signal means a signal made by a distinct sound or series of sounds." The definition adds that examples "include, but are not limited to, sounds made by a bell, horn, or whistle."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)
6. Under the exception in 1926.1419(c)(1), when may non-standard hand signals be used?
- A. Only on equipment that is traveling
- B. Whenever the operator and signal person prefer them
- C. Only when radio communication has failed
- D. Where use of the Standard Method is infeasible, or where an operation or use of an attachment is not covered in the Standard Method
Show answer
Answer: D. Where use of the Standard Method is infeasible, or where an operation or use of an attachment is not covered in the Standard Method
"Where use of the Standard Method for hand signals is infeasible, or where an operation or use of an attachment is not covered in the Standard Method, non-standard hand signals may be used in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Non-standard hand signals and new signals
7. An operation uses an attachment whose use is not covered in the Standard Method, and there is no lift director. Under 1926.1419(c)(2), who must contact each other before the operation and agree on the non-standard hand signals?
- A. The operator and the employer's competent person
- B. The signal person and the operator
- C. The signal person, the operator, and a lift director who must first be appointed for the operation
- D. The signal person and the crane manufacturer
Show answer
Answer: B. The signal person and the operator
Under 1926.1419(c)(2), "the signal person, operator, and lift director (where there is one) must contact each other prior to the operation and agree on the non-standard hand signals that will be used." With no lift director, the agreement is between the signal person and the operator.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
8. Under 1926.1419(d), who must demonstrate that new signals meet the rule's conditions before they may be used?
- A. The operator
- B. The employer
- C. The signal person
- D. The crane manufacturer
Show answer
Answer: B. The employer
New signals "may be used where the employer demonstrates that" one of the conditions in 1926.1419(d)(1) or (d)(2) is met.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
9. Which of these is one of the options in 1926.1419(d) for using new signals?
- A. The new signals are printed in the operator's manual
- B. The new signals are approved by the lift director
- C. The new signals are used only in daylight
- D. The new signals comply with a national consensus standard that provides at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals
Show answer
Answer: D. The new signals comply with a national consensus standard that provides at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals
1926.1419(d)(2) allows new signals where "The new signals comply with a national consensus standard that provides at least equally effective communication as voice, audible, or Standard Method hand signals." Option (d)(1) is that the new signals themselves "provide at least equally effective communication".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Suitability and keeping the signal link
10. Under 1926.1419(e), what must be appropriate for the site conditions?
- A. Both the signals used and the means of transmitting the signals to the operator
- B. Only the signals used, such as hand signals
- C. Only the position where the signal person stands
- D. Only the means of transmitting the signals to the operator, such as radio
Show answer
Answer: A. Both the signals used and the means of transmitting the signals to the operator
"The signals used (hand, voice, audible, or new), and means of transmitting the signals to the operator (such as direct line of sight, video, radio, etc.), must be appropriate for the site conditions."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
11. Under 1926.1431(k)(9), with whom must employees being hoisted on a personnel platform remain in direct communication?
- A. The signal person (where used), or the operator
- B. The competent person on the ground only
- C. The lift director only
- D. The employer's site safety office
Show answer
Answer: A. The signal person (where used), or the operator
"Employees being hoisted must remain in direct communication with the signal person (where used), or the operator."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
12. How does 1926.1401 define a "dedicated channel"?
- A. A radio channel shared by all trades on the site
- B. A channel assigned to the site by the crane rental company
- C. A line of communication assigned by the employer who controls the communication system to only one signal person and crane/derrick or to a coordinated group of cranes/derricks/signal person(s)
- D. A telephone line between the operator and the manufacturer
Show answer
Answer: C. A line of communication assigned by the employer who controls the communication system to only one signal person and crane/derrick or to a coordinated group of cranes/derricks/signal person(s)
"Dedicated channel means a line of communication assigned by the employer who controls the communication system to only one signal person and crane/derrick or to a coordinated group of cranes/derricks/signal person(s)."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)
13. 1926.1419(e) introduces the list "direct line of sight, video, radio, etc." with the words "such as". Under the definition of "such as" in 1926.1401, how is that list to be read?
- A. As examples, because "such as" means "such as, but not limited to"
- B. As the complete list of the means that may be used
- C. As an order of preference, from most to least preferred
- D. As means that may be used only where a dedicated channel has been assigned
Show answer
Answer: A. As examples, because "such as" means "such as, but not limited to"
1926.1401 states: "Such as means “such as, but not limited to.”" 1926.1419(e) refers to "means of transmitting the signals to the operator (such as direct line of sight, video, radio, etc.)".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Safety problems and stop signals
14. 1926.1419(g) covers an operator who becomes aware of a safety problem in one particular situation. When that situation arises, what must the operator do?
- A. Finish the current lift, then stop
- B. Keep operating until a competent person orders a stop
- C. Lower the load at full speed, then stop
- D. Safely stop operations
Show answer
Answer: D. Safely stop operations
"If the operator becomes aware of a safety problem and needs to communicate with the signal person, the operator must safely stop operations."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
15. After the operator stops for a safety problem under 1926.1419(g), when may operations resume?
- A. When the competent person signs a restart form
- B. When the operator and signal person agree that the problem has been resolved
- C. When the signal person alone decides that the problem has been resolved
- D. When the employer's safety manager arrives
Show answer
Answer: B. When the operator and signal person agree that the problem has been resolved
"Operations must not resume until the operator and signal person agree that the problem has been resolved."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
16. An operator becomes aware of a safety problem during a lift. Under 1926.1419(g), which further circumstance brings in the operator's duty under that paragraph?
- A. The load is more than half of the equipment's rated capacity
- B. The signal person is giving voice signals rather than hand signals
- C. The signal person works for a different employer than the operator
- D. The operator needs to communicate with the signal person
Show answer
Answer: D. The operator needs to communicate with the signal person
1926.1419(g) reads: "If the operator becomes aware of a safety problem and needs to communicate with the signal person, the operator must safely stop operations."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Who signals, direction and multiple cranes
17. 1926.1419(m) requires a system for identifying which crane/derrick each signal is for. In which situation does that requirement apply?
- A. Wherever the work zones of two cranes overlap
- B. Wherever two or more cranes work on the same site
- C. Where a signal person is in communication with more than one crane/derrick
- D. Wherever more than one signal person works on the site
Show answer
Answer: C. Where a signal person is in communication with more than one crane/derrick
1926.1419(m) applies "Where a signal person(s) is in communication with more than one crane/derrick"; in that case "a system must be used for identifying the crane/derrick each signal is for".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
18. A signal person is in communication with two cranes. 1926.1419(m)(1) has the signal person identify the crane before each signal. What other way does 1926.1419(m)(2) allow?
- A. Giving each signal to both cranes at once and letting each operator decide whether it applies
- B. Skipping identification when both cranes are the same make and model
- C. Using an equally effective method of identifying which crane/derrick the signal is for
- D. Skipping identification when a lift director is present
Show answer
Answer: C. Using an equally effective method of identifying which crane/derrick the signal is for
Where a signal person is in communication with more than one crane/derrick, "a system must be used for identifying the crane/derrick each signal is for". Besides naming the crane before each signal, the signal person "must use an equally effective method of identifying which crane/derrick the signal is for."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1419, Signals—general requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Related definitions and work area communication
19. How does 1926.1401 describe a "qualified evaluator (not a third party)" for signal persons?
- A. An OSHA compliance officer assigned to the site
- B. 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
- C. Any certified crane operator on the site
- D. An employee of the crane manufacturer
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Answer: B. 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
"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."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1401, Definitions (as of Nov 4, 2026)
20. Under 1926.1424(a)(3)(i), before an employee goes to a location in the swing radius hazard area that is out of view of the operator, what must the employee (or someone instructed by the employee) ensure?
- A. That the load has been landed
- B. That a competent person escorts the employee
- C. That the barriers around the hazard area are taken down
- D. That the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location
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Answer: D. That the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location
"Before an employee goes to a location in the hazard area that is out of view of the operator, the employee (or someone instructed by the employee) must ensure that the operator is informed that he/she is going to that location."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1424, Work area control (as of Nov 4, 2026)