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High Risk Work Licence - Self-Erecting Tower Crane (CS) study materials
High Risk Work Licence - Self-Erecting Tower Crane (CS) study resources

High Risk Work Licence - Self-Erecting Tower Crane (CS) practice questions

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Question 1Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

Under the model WHS Regulations, which person must hold a high risk work licence to operate a self-erecting tower crane on a construction site?

  1. The supplier who delivers the crane to site
  2. The person who actually operates the crane Correct answer.
  3. The principal contractor who controls the site
  4. The engineer who designed the crane's foundation

Explanation

The licensing duty attaches to the individual who performs the crane operation, because the licence certifies that person's competence to carry out the high risk work safely. Site controllers and suppliers have separate duties to ensure only licensed operators are used, but they do not need the operator class themselves.

Question 2Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

An operator's high risk work licence for self-erecting tower cranes has reached its expiry date and the operator has not applied for renewal. What is the correct position?

  1. The operator may continue while a renewal application is pending
  2. The operator may continue for a 12-month grace period
  3. The operator may continue if supervised by a licensed person
  4. The operator must stop operating until the licence is renewed Correct answer.

Explanation

High risk work licences are time-limited, and performing licensed work after expiry is an offence. A grace period or supervision arrangement does not substitute for a current licence; the operator must renew before resuming crane operation.

Question 3Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

What is the primary purpose of the high risk work licensing system for self-erecting tower crane operators?

  1. To allocate crane work between competing companies
  2. To set the hourly pay rate for crane operators
  3. To record which operators are available for hire
  4. To confirm the operator has the competence to perform the work safely Correct answer.

Explanation

Licensing is a competence assurance mechanism: it verifies through assessment that the holder can operate the plant safely. It is not an industrial or commercial instrument, so it does not fix wages or distribute work.

Question 4Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

Who has the primary duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers operating a self-erecting tower crane?

  1. The workers' compensation insurer
  2. The crane manufacturer overseas
  3. The person conducting the business or undertaking Correct answer.
  4. The crane operator alone

Explanation

WHS law places the primary duty of care on the person conducting the business or undertaking, who must eliminate or minimise risks so far as reasonably practicable. That duty extends to plant, systems of work, information, training and supervision.

Question 5Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

Before allowing a worker to operate a self-erecting tower crane, what must the person conducting the business or undertaking confirm?

  1. That the worker holds the correct current high risk work licence class Correct answer.
  2. That the worker has completed a first aid certificate
  3. That the worker has at least ten years of construction experience
  4. That the worker owns their own lifting equipment

Explanation

The business must verify that the operator holds the correct, current licence class for the crane being used. Experience, equipment ownership or first aid training do not authorise high risk work.

Question 6Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

A self-erecting tower crane is to be erected on site. Which document should be consulted to confirm the specific erection sequence and outrigger/base requirements for that model?

  1. The site's general safety induction booklet
  2. The crane operator's logbook of hours
  3. The manufacturer's operating and erection manual for that crane Correct answer.
  4. The project's payment schedule

Explanation

Erection must follow the manufacturer's documented procedure, including base and outrigger requirements specific to the model. Generic site documents and commercial records do not contain the engineering instructions needed for safe erection.

Question 7Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

A crane operator notices that the load chart in the cabin is illegible. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Proceed if the load looks light
  2. Ask a nearby worker to guess the capacity
  3. Stop operating and obtain a legible load chart before lifting Correct answer.
  4. Estimate the capacity from previous experience

Explanation

The operator must have access to the correct load chart to determine safe working capacities for the configuration. Without it, capacity cannot be verified, so operation should cease until a legible chart is provided.

Question 8Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

Who is responsible for ensuring that a self-erecting tower crane receives the required periodic inspection and maintenance?

  1. The person with management or control of the plant Correct answer.
  2. The crane operator during breaks
  3. The delivery driver who transported the crane
  4. The dogger who directs the load

Explanation

The person with management or control of the plant must ensure inspection, maintenance and repair are carried out as required. Operators, doggers and drivers have operational roles but do not carry this plant management duty.

Question 9Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

A worker who has been trained but does not hold a high risk work licence is asked to operate a self-erecting tower crane under direct supervision. What is the correct response?

  1. Refuse, because supervised operation still requires the operator to hold a licence Correct answer.
  2. Accept, because supervision replaces the licence requirement
  3. Accept, provided the work is short in duration
  4. Accept, provided the crane is small

Explanation

Holding a licence is a prerequisite for performing licensed high risk work; supervision does not replace the licence. Only a licensed operator may operate the crane, regardless of crane size or task duration.

Question 10Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

What is the key difference between the duty of care owed by a person conducting a business or undertaking and the duty of an individual worker?

  1. The business only owes duties to visitors, while workers owe duties to clients
  2. The business must ensure safety so far as reasonably practicable, while a worker must take reasonable care of their own and others' safety Correct answer.
  3. The business duty applies only during normal business hours
  4. The worker's duty overrides the business duty in all situations

Explanation

The business duty is broad and requires risk elimination or minimisation so far as reasonably practicable. Workers have a complementary duty to take reasonable care, comply with instructions and not adversely affect others' safety.

Question 11Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

A self-erecting tower crane is being used near an overhead powerline. Which control measure hierarchy should the person conducting the business or undertaking apply first?

  1. Require the dogger to watch the boom
  2. Eliminate the risk by arranging for the powerline to be de-energised Correct answer.
  3. Erect warning signs beneath the powerline
  4. Instruct the operator to be careful

Explanation

The hierarchy of control requires eliminating the hazard before relying on administrative measures or signage. De-energising or isolating the line removes the risk; signs and instructions only reduce it.

Question 12Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

Which of the following is a notification obligation that may apply to a self-erecting tower crane under WHS regulations?

  1. Notifying the regulator of the crane's use where the regulations require plant notification Correct answer.
  2. Notifying the union of the crane's serial number
  3. Notifying the manufacturer of the operator's licence number
  4. Notifying neighbouring businesses of the crane's hire rate

Explanation

WHS regulations require certain plant, including specified cranes, to be notified to the regulator before use. The notification covers plant details and is a safety administration requirement, not a commercial or industrial communication.

Question 13Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

A principal contractor on a construction site receives a crane operator whose licence appears valid but whose photograph does not match the person presenting it. What should the principal contractor do?

  1. Prevent the person operating and verify identity with the regulator before any lift Correct answer.
  2. Record the discrepancy and allow operation until the next inspection
  3. Allow operation because the licence number is valid
  4. Allow operation for light loads only

Explanation

A licence is only valid for the person named on it, so a mismatch indicates possible fraud or misuse. The site must stop the person operating and verify the licence through the regulator before permitting any work.

Question 14Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

An operator is asked to use a self-erecting tower crane in a configuration not covered by the manufacturer's load chart. What is the correct legal and safety position?

  1. The operator may use the crane if they reduce the load by half
  2. The operator may use the crane if the wind is light
  3. The operator may use the crane if the site supervisor gives verbal approval
  4. The crane must not be used in that configuration until engineering verification and revised capacity data are obtained Correct answer.

Explanation

Operating outside the documented configuration means the rated capacities are unknown, so engineering verification and revised capacity data are required. Informal reductions, verbal approvals or favourable weather do not establish safe limits.

Question 15Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

A self-erecting tower crane has been modified by the site to increase its hook height beyond the manufacturer's specification. What is the most significant compliance consequence?

  1. The modification is acceptable if it is painted a high-visibility colour
  2. The crane may no longer conform to its design registration and must not be used until the modification is assessed and approved Correct answer.
  3. The modification is acceptable if it is recorded in the logbook
  4. The modification is acceptable if the operator is experienced

Explanation

Modifications outside the manufacturer's design can invalidate design registration and alter structural and stability limits. The plant must be assessed and approved by a competent person before use, and record-keeping or appearance does not make an unsafe modification acceptable.

Question 16Legislation, standards, duty of care and licence obligations for self-erecting tower cranes

During a site audit, an operator is found to hold a licence for a different crane class than the self-erecting tower crane being operated. Which statement best describes the compliance position?

  1. The operator is compliant because they hold any high risk work licence
  2. The operator is compliant if the crane is only used for light loads
  3. The operator is compliant if a licensed colleague is on site
  4. The operator is performing work outside the scope of their licence, which is an offence and must cease immediately Correct answer.

Explanation

A high risk work licence authorises only the classes endorsed on it, so operating a crane class not covered is unlicensed work. The activity must stop until the operator holds the correct class, and the presence of others or light loads does not change this.

Question 17Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Before a self-erecting tower crane is commissioned on a new site, which document should identify the ground conditions, overhead powerlines and pedestrian exclusion zones?

  1. The delivery docket from the transport contractor
  2. The manufacturer's generic maintenance schedule
  3. A site-specific risk assessment reviewed with the crane crew Correct answer.
  4. The crane operator's logbook entries from the previous site

Explanation

Hazards such as soft ground, energised overhead lines and walkways must be assessed for the actual site layout before work starts. A site-specific risk assessment, developed and discussed with the crew, records those hazards and the controls chosen. Generic documents cannot account for local conditions.

Question 18Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A self-erecting tower crane is to be positioned beside an excavation. What is the most appropriate first control for the risk of ground collapse under the crane?

  1. Place extra counterweights to spread the load
  2. Obtain an engineering assessment of the ground and crane footing Correct answer.
  3. Instruct the operator to lower loads more slowly near the edge
  4. Erect warning tape at the excavation edge

Explanation

Crane stability depends on the ground carrying the outrigger or base loads without settlement or collapse. An engineering assessment determines whether the footing is adequate or needs a designed pad or piling. Operational measures and signage do not address the underlying bearing capacity.

Question 19Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Work is planned near energised overhead powerlines. Which control ranks highest in the hierarchy of control for this hazard?

  1. Posting danger signs on the crane jib
  2. Briefing the crew on approach distances
  3. Appointing a spotter to watch the jib
  4. Eliminating the need to work near the lines by relocating the crane Correct answer.

Explanation

The hierarchy of control places elimination at the top because it removes the hazard entirely. Relocating the crane or arranging isolation of the lines removes exposure rather than relying on human behaviour. Administrative measures such as signage, briefings and spotters are lower-order controls.

Question 20Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

During a lift, the operator notices the load swinging toward a group of workers. Which action best reflects the required control?

  1. Stop the lift, hold the load and use the agreed communication method to clear the area Correct answer.
  2. Continue the lift and rely on the workers to move away
  3. Signal the dogman to run toward the load to steady it
  4. Increase slewing speed to move the load past the workers quickly

Explanation

When a load drifts toward people, the lift must be stopped and the load controlled while the area is cleared through the agreed signalling system. Workers should never be expected to dodge a moving load. Speeding up the slew increases the risk of an uncontrolled swing.

Question 21Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

What is the primary purpose of a pedestrian exclusion zone around a slewing self-erecting tower crane?

  1. To keep people clear of the area where a load or crane component could fall or swing Correct answer.
  2. To reserve parking for the crane crew
  3. To mark where the concrete delivery trucks must wait
  4. To define the boundary of the site office compound

Explanation

An exclusion zone keeps people outside the area that a falling load, a swinging jib or a dropped object could reach. It is a physical separation control, not an administrative convenience. The boundary must reflect the actual operating radius and potential fall zones.

Question 22Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A load chart shows a crane can lift a certain mass at a given radius. The load is within that mass but its centre of gravity sits well away from the hook point. What should be done?

  1. Proceed at half speed to reduce swing
  2. Proceed because the mass is under the chart limit
  3. Reassess the lift, including slinging and load stability, before proceeding Correct answer.
  4. Add a second crane to share the load without further assessment

Explanation

A load chart limits mass at radius but does not guarantee that an offset centre of gravity will remain stable or that the slinging is adequate. The lift plan must be reassessed for load balance, sling angles and control. Neither speed reduction nor an unplanned tandem lift resolves the stability issue.

Question 23Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Which condition most commonly causes a self-erecting tower crane to become unstable during erection?

  1. Erecting the crane in the sequence set out in the manufacturer's instructions
  2. Erecting on a level, engineered pad designed for the crane loads
  3. Erecting with the wind speed within the manufacturer's permitted limit
  4. Erecting with the jib or ballast configured differently from the manufacturer's sequence Correct answer.

Explanation

Self-erecting cranes rely on a strict sequence of folding and unfolding sections so that the centre of gravity stays within the designed stability envelope. Deviating from the manufacturer's configuration or sequence can shift the centre of gravity outside the base. Following the sequence, using a designed pad and observing wind limits all support stability.

Question 24Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

What is the key risk when a self-erecting tower crane is erected on a slope without correction?

  1. The crane's lighting may not meet site requirements
  2. The crane's radio remote may lose signal strength
  3. The crane's paint may deteriorate faster
  4. The crane may not be level, causing the load to drift and the structure to be loaded unevenly Correct answer.

Explanation

Manufacturers require the crane base to be level within a specified tolerance. An unlevel base tilts the mast, causing the load to run away from the operator and introducing unintended forces into the structure. Cosmetic, radio and lighting issues are unrelated to this stability requirement.

Question 25Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A crane crew plans to lift a load over a site shed occupied by workers. What is the preferred control?

  1. Ask the shed occupants to listen for the crane's warning horn
  2. Reroute the lift so the load does not pass over the occupied shed Correct answer.
  3. Schedule the lift for a time when the occupants are at lunch
  4. Place a sign on the shed roof warning of overhead loads

Explanation

The hierarchy of control favours eliminating the exposure, so the lift should be planned to avoid travelling over occupied areas. If that is genuinely impossible, the area must be evacuated and the lift controlled. Warnings and timing adjustments rely on people being alert or absent.

Question 26Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

What should be confirmed about the crane's outrigger or base support before it is loaded during operation?

  1. That the support is lubricated immediately before the lift
  2. That the support is painted in a high-visibility colour
  3. That the support is positioned as close to the site fence as possible
  4. That the support is fully extended and bearing on a verified, stable surface Correct answer.

Explanation

Outriggers or base supports must be fully deployed and bear on ground verified as capable of carrying the loads. Partial extension or poor bearing can cause the crane to overturn. Colour, fence proximity and lubrication are not stability requirements.

Question 27Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Which of the following best describes a dynamic risk assessment during crane operations?

  1. Delegating all hazard decisions to the crane manufacturer
  2. Replacing the written risk assessment with a verbal handover
  3. Continuously checking conditions such as wind, visibility and ground changes while work proceeds Correct answer.
  4. Reviewing the risk register once at project completion

Explanation

Conditions on site change, so the crew must keep checking wind, visibility, ground and nearby activities as work proceeds. A dynamic assessment supplements the written plan rather than replacing it. It is an ongoing activity, not a single review at the end.

Question 28Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A self-erecting tower crane must operate in gusty conditions. Which action is most appropriate when wind speed approaches the manufacturer's limit?

  1. Ask the dogman to hold the load steady with a tag line
  2. Reduce the load mass and continue lifting
  3. Stop operations and follow the manufacturer's storm or out-of-service procedure Correct answer.
  4. Continue lifting but with the jib pointed into the wind

Explanation

Manufacturers specify maximum wind speeds for operation and for leaving the crane out of service. Once the limit is approached, lifting must stop and the crane placed in the specified storm configuration. Reducing load or using tag lines does not control the wind acting on the jib and load.

Question 29Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Two cranes are working close together on a site. What is the most important control to prevent collision?

  1. Increasing the slew speed so lifts finish sooner
  2. A documented lift plan with agreed zoning and communication between operators Correct answer.
  3. Painting each crane a different colour
  4. Relying on each operator to watch the other crane

Explanation

Where cranes can encroach on each other's operating areas, a documented plan must define zones, priorities and communication methods. Colour coding and speed changes do not prevent collision. Unstructured watching by operators is unreliable when each is focused on their own load.

Question 30Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A crane is to be sited where the ground contains buried services. What should be done before positioning the crane?

  1. Obtain service plans and locate the services, then plan the crane position to avoid them Correct answer.
  2. Place the crane directly over the service to protect it
  3. Ask the operator to watch for cracking during operation
  4. Assume services are deeper than the crane footprint

Explanation

Buried services can be damaged by crane loads or by ground anchors, causing explosion, flooding or electrical hazards. Service plans and locating must be obtained before choosing the position. Assuming depth or watching for cracks is not a control.

Question 31Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Which factor is most relevant when assessing the risk of a load being struck by wind during a lift?

  1. The colour of the load
  2. The number of workers on site
  3. The age of the crane's tyres
  4. The surface area and shape of the load Correct answer.

Explanation

Wind force on a load depends largely on its exposed surface area and shape, so large flat loads catch more wind. The lift plan must consider this when deciding whether to proceed. Colour, workforce numbers and tyre age do not determine wind loading.

Question 32Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

During the erection sequence, a crew member notices a locking pin has not engaged as specified. What is the correct response?

  1. Stop the sequence and rectify the pin before proceeding Correct answer.
  2. Continue and engage the pin at the next stage
  3. Ask the operator to hold the section with the hoist while work continues
  4. Note the defect and report it after the crane is commissioned

Explanation

A self-erecting crane depends on pins and locks engaging in sequence to maintain stability. If a pin has not engaged, the sequence must stop until it is corrected. Continuing, improvising with the hoist or deferring the report leaves the crane in an unsafe state.

Question 33Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

What is the main purpose of a pre-start check of the crane's safety devices before the first lift of the day?

  1. To measure the crane's paint thickness
  2. To confirm the devices such as limiters and alarms are functioning before work begins Correct answer.
  3. To satisfy an insurance requirement only
  4. To record the crane's fuel consumption

Explanation

Safety devices such as load and moment limiters, height limiters and alarms must be verified as functional before lifting begins. A failed device can allow the crane to be overloaded or over-travelled. Fuel, insurance and paint thickness are unrelated to the purpose of the check.

Question 34Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A load is to be lifted from a public footpath adjacent to the site. What control is most appropriate?

  1. Rely on the crane's audible alarm to warn pedestrians
  2. Ask pedestrians to wait under the load while it passes
  3. Lift during peak pedestrian times so people see the crane
  4. Close and manage the footpath with a traffic management plan and divert pedestrians Correct answer.

Explanation

Where a lift affects a public footpath, the area must be closed and pedestrians diverted under a traffic management plan. Members of the public cannot be relied on to understand crane hazards or respond to alarms. Lifting over pedestrians, even briefly, is not acceptable.

Question 35Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

Which of the following is the best example of a higher-order control for crane-related falls of objects onto walkways?

  1. Requiring hard hats in the walkway
  2. Adding more warning signs along the walkway
  3. Installing a physical catch platform or netting over the walkway Correct answer.
  4. Briefing workers weekly about dropped objects

Explanation

Engineering controls that physically prevent a falling object from reaching people rank above administrative measures. Catch platforms or netting intercept the object before it can strike anyone. Hard hats, signs and briefings depend on behaviour and offer limited protection.

Question 36Hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures at the crane workplace

A crane operator reports that the ground beneath one outrigger has begun to settle during the shift. What should happen next?

  1. Place timber under the outrigger without assessment and continue
  2. Lower the load, stop operations and have the footing reassessed and corrected before lifting resumes Correct answer.
  3. Continue lifting with reduced loads
  4. Increase the counterweight to balance the crane

Explanation

Settlement indicates the ground is not carrying the load as designed and the crane may overturn. Operations must stop, the load lowered safely, and the footing reassessed and corrected before work resumes. Reducing loads, improvising packing or adding counterweight does not restore the designed support.

Question 37Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

On a self-erecting tower crane site, what is the primary purpose of a designated exclusion zone beneath the slewing and load path?

  1. To show where the concrete pour must be placed
  2. To reserve parking space for the dogger's vehicle
  3. To mark where crane components are stored between lifts
  4. To keep unauthorised people clear of moving loads and falling-object hazards Correct answer.

Explanation

An exclusion zone is a controlled area that keeps people who are not part of the lifting operation away from the danger of a moving load, the slewing tail, and any dropped objects. Only personnel directly involved in the lift, and protected by the control measures, may enter it.

Question 38Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

A dogger needs to signal the crane operator to raise the load slowly. Which whistle signal is conventionally used for this instruction?

  1. Two short blasts
  2. One long blast
  3. One short blast Correct answer.
  4. Three short blasts

Explanation

In the conventional whistle code used on crane sites, one short blast means raise the load, and repeated short blasts are used to request a slow, controlled hoist. The operator must acknowledge and move only as directed.

Question 39Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

When using hand signals to direct a self-erecting tower crane, what must the operator do if the signal is unclear or ambiguous?

  1. Stop the movement and wait for a clear, unambiguous signal Correct answer.
  2. Guess the intended direction based on the load's position
  3. Ask the nearest worker to relay the instruction
  4. Continue at the current speed until a clearer signal arrives

Explanation

An operator must never act on a signal that cannot be clearly understood, because a wrong movement could strike people or structures. The safe response is to stop and wait until the designated signal person repeats a clear, agreed signal.

Question 40Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

Who should be the only person giving radio instructions to the crane operator during a blind lift?

  1. Any worker who can see the load
  2. The site visitor nearest the crane
  3. The truck driver delivering materials
  4. The designated and competent signal person Correct answer.

Explanation

Radio control of a crane must come from one designated, competent signal person so the operator receives a single consistent stream of commands. Multiple voices on the channel create conflicting instructions and dangerous confusion.

Question 41Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

Which of the following is the standard hand signal used to tell a crane operator to stop?

  1. Arm extended horizontally with the palm held facing down
  2. Hand moved in a small circle at waist height
  3. Arm raised vertically with the palm facing the operator Correct answer.
  4. Both arms crossed in front of the chest

Explanation

The recognised stop signal is the arm raised with the palm of the hand facing the operator, held steady. It is an emergency-capable signal that any person may give, and the operator must obey it immediately.

Question 42Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

A load must be lowered into a trench where the operator cannot see the landing point. What is the correct signalling arrangement?

  1. The excavator operator waves the crane down when it looks close
  2. The load is released from height to avoid the blind spot
  3. The operator lowers slowly using judgement and stops when the load touches bottom
  4. A designated signal person with a clear view directs each movement by radio or hand signal Correct answer.

Explanation

A blind lift requires a designated signal person positioned where the load and landing area are visible, relaying precise commands to the operator. The operator moves only on those instructions, which keeps the load controlled throughout the descent.

Question 43Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

During a lift, a worker inside the exclusion zone notices the load drifting toward them. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Shout at the operator to speed up the hoist
  2. Move out of the zone and give the stop signal Correct answer.
  3. Stay still and wait for the load to pass overhead
  4. Duck beneath the nearest crane leg

Explanation

Anyone may give a stop signal, and the operator must obey it. Moving clear while signalling stop removes the person from the hazard and halts the load before it can strike them.

Question 44Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

Why must the exclusion zone under a self-erecting tower crane be maintained for the full duration of the lift, not just at the start?

  1. Because the crane's brakes only work in the first part of the lift
  2. Because the zone is required only for the paperwork inspection
  3. Because workers are only permitted on site during the morning
  4. Because the load path and hazard area change as the crane slews and trolleys Correct answer.

Explanation

As the jib slews and the trolley moves, the area at risk beneath the load shifts across the site. The exclusion zone must follow the load path so unprotected people are never under it.

Question 45Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

What is the key risk of using a mobile phone to relay hand signals verbally to a crane operator instead of radio?

  1. Phone calls cannot be made on construction sites
  2. Phone batteries drain faster than radio batteries
  3. The message may be delayed, misheard or relayed by an untrained person Correct answer.
  4. Mobile phones interfere with the crane's slewing motor

Explanation

A phone relay introduces an extra link in the communication chain, so the message can be delayed, distorted, or passed on by someone without signalling competence. Radio on a dedicated channel keeps the operator in direct contact with the designated signal person.

Question 46Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

An operator receives a hand signal to slew left from a person standing in the exclusion zone, but the designated dogger is giving a different signal from the landing point. What should the operator do?

  1. Ignore both and continue the previous movement
  2. Slew left slowly to test which signal is correct
  3. Follow the signal from the person closest to the crane
  4. Stop and resolve the conflict before moving Correct answer.

Explanation

Conflicting signals mean the operator cannot know which movement is safe, so the movement must stop until the designated signal person is confirmed as the sole source of instructions. Acting on either signal without resolving the conflict risks a collision.

Question 47Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

Which person is permitted to give an emergency stop signal to a self-erecting tower crane operator?

  1. Any person who sees an imminent danger Correct answer.
  2. Only the licensed dogger
  3. Only the site supervisor
  4. Only the crane owner

Explanation

The stop signal is universal: anyone who sees a dangerous situation may give it, and the operator must stop immediately. This ensures hazards can be halted by whoever notices them first, regardless of role.

Question 48Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

Before the first lift of the day, the signal person and operator agree on the signals to be used. Why is this pre-lift agreement important?

  1. It allows the operator to skip the daily inspection
  2. It satisfies the crane manufacturer's warranty conditions
  3. It ensures both parties interpret each signal the same way before loads are moving Correct answer.
  4. It replaces the need for an exclusion zone

Explanation

Agreeing signals before work starts confirms a shared understanding of each command, including any site-specific variations, so movements are predictable. Any mismatch is resolved while the crane is stationary rather than during a live lift.

Question 49Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

A crane is working near a public footpath. Which combination best controls the risk to pedestrians from the load path?

  1. A warning sign only, with no physical barrier
  2. Physical barriers plus a spotter and a planned exclusion zone Correct answer.
  3. Relying on pedestrians to watch for the crane
  4. Sounding the horn continuously during the lift

Explanation

Pedestrians outside the workforce cannot be relied on to understand signals or keep clear, so physical barriers are needed to exclude them, supported by a spotter and a planned zone. Signs and horns alone do not stop people walking beneath a load.

Question 50Communication and signalling, including whistle, hand and radio signals and exclusion zones

A radio handset used for crane signalling fails mid-lift while the load is suspended. What is the safest sequence of actions?

  1. Lower the load quickly to the nearest clear spot
  2. Signal by waving from the cab window
  3. Continue the lift using guessed movements until the radio is repaired
  4. Stop the movement, secure the load, and restore communication before continuing Correct answer.

Explanation

Loss of communication means the operator has no reliable direction, so the movement must stop and the load be held or secured safely. Work resumes only when a verified communication method is restored between the operator and the designated signal person.