NCCCO - National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators Lift Planning and Critical Lift Procedures 1

Question 1

Under ASME B30.5, when two cranes are used to lift a single load in a tandem lift, at what threshold does the operation automatically qualify as a critical lift requiring a formal lift plan?

Accepted Answer

Tandem lifts are always classified as critical lifts regardless of the percentage of rated capacity used

Answer

When either crane exceeds 50% of its individual rated capacity for the shared load

Answer

When the combined load exceeds 75% of the total rated capacity of both cranes added together

Answer

Only when the load exceeds the rated capacity of the larger of the two cranes

Question 2

A lift plan must include an assessment of ground bearing pressure. Which of the following correctly describes what must be verified before positioning the crane?

Accepted Answer

The ground bearing pressure under each outrigger pad must not exceed the manufacturer's rated outrigger load divided by the pad area, and this value must not exceed the site's allowable soil bearing capacity

Answer

Ground bearing pressure only needs to be assessed when the crane is operating on fill material or near excavations

Answer

The crane's total weight must be less than the soil bearing capacity at the geometric center of the outrigger spread

Answer

Ground bearing pressure is the responsibility of the civil engineer of record for the site and does not need to be included in the crane operator's lift plan

Question 3

During lift plan development, the rigger calculates that the crane's maximum radius during the pick will be 42 feet. After reviewing the load chart, she determines the rated capacity at that radius is 28,000 lbs. The total lifted weight including rigging is 23,500 lbs. What is the percentage of rated capacity, and does this classify as a critical lift under common industry thresholds?

Accepted Answer

83.9% — this exceeds the typical 75% threshold and qualifies as a critical lift

Answer

83.9% — this does not meet the typical 85% threshold and is not a critical lift

Answer

119.6% — the lift exceeds rated capacity and must not proceed

Answer

16.1% — the 16% margin means no additional planning is required

Question 4

A critical lift plan has been completed and approved. On the day of the lift, the site superintendent directs the crane operator to begin the pick before the scheduled pre-lift meeting has been held. What is the correct action for the crane operator?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to begin the lift; the pre-lift meeting is a required step that must occur before any critical lift begins

Answer

Begin the lift if the lift director verbally confirms all conditions match the lift plan

Answer

Proceed with the lift since the approved lift plan is the controlling document and the meeting is administrative

Answer

Conduct a brief self-review of the lift plan and proceed if no discrepancies are found

Question 5

A lift plan identifies a load path that passes over an active roadway. Which of the following is the most appropriate control measure to address this hazard?

Accepted Answer

Temporarily close or control traffic in the load path for the duration of the lift, and document this measure in the lift plan

Answer

Increase the crane's rated capacity derating factor by 10% to provide additional margin over the roadway

Answer

Shorten the boom length to reduce the time the load spends over the roadway

Answer

Notify the crane's manufacturer so they can verify the load chart applies to over-roadway operations

Question 6

After a critical lift is completed successfully, how long must the written lift plan typically be retained according to standard industry recordkeeping practice and OSHA regulations for construction?

Accepted Answer

Lift plans must be retained for a minimum of 3 years after the lift is completed

Answer

The lift plan may be discarded once the lift director verifies the lift was completed without incident

Answer

Lift plans must be retained until the crane's next annual inspection

Answer

There is no federal retention requirement; retention period is determined solely by the contractor's internal policy