NCCCO Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NCCCO facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the purpose of a crane maintenance log? → To document inspections, repairs, and services, ensuring safety and compliance.
2. An operator discovers a crack in the boom during inspection. What should they do? → Immediately take the crane out of service and report the defect
3. An operator performing a pre-shift inspection finds that the anti-two-block device's warning weight is missing. What should the operator do? → Remove the crane from service until the ATB device is repaired or replaced
4. What are the consequences of failing to comply with crane safety standards? → Accidents, injuries, legal penalties, and project delays.
5. A hydraulic mobile crane's boom drifts down slowly when holding a suspended load with no commands given. What is the most likely cause? → Internal leakage in the boom cylinder or holding valve
6. If a crane's boom or load line makes contact with an energized power line, what is the safest immediate action for the operator? → Remain in the cab and try to break contact.
7. When boom length increases while boom angle remains constant, what happens to the working radius? → Working radius increases proportionally
8. What is the minimum number of randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay that requires wire rope removal from service per ASME B30.5? → 6 broken wires
9. How often should the crane's braking system be tested? → Before each shift as part of the pre-operation inspection
10. Why is it important to confirm hand signals before proceeding with a lift? → To ensure both parties are in agreement and ready to proceed safely.
11. When the load moment indicator (LMI) on a crane malfunctions, what should an operator do? → Put an end to crane operations and notify the supervisor of the situation.
12. What is the 'crane operator's stop work authority'? → The authority to stop any operation they believe is unsafe, regardless of who ordered it
13. What does the term 'rated capacity' mean for a mobile crane? → The maximum load the crane is designed to handle under specified conditions
14. What does ASME B30 cover in relation to crane operations? → Safety standards for cableways, cranes, derricks, hoists, hooks, jacks, and slings
15. What does it mean to operate at '75% of rated capacity'? → The crane is lifting 75% of the maximum allowed load, leaving a 25% safety margin
16. How can weather conditions impact crane operations? → Severe weather can affect stability, requiring halting or adjusting operations.
17. Before operating with a newly assembled jib configuration, an operator must verify that: → All connecting pins are fully inserted, secured, and properly cottered
18. When assembling a lattice boom, what is the most critical step after connecting two sections with pins? → Ensuring all connection pins are fully inserted and secured with keepers
19. A crane has a rated capacity of 50 tons at 30 feet radius. The rigging weighs 2 tons. What is the maximum load that can be lifted? → 48 tons
20. Before pinning boom sections together during assembly, what must be verified at each connection? → That chord holes are aligned and pins can be inserted without forcing
21. Under OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, which person is responsible for identifying power line hazards before crane setup begins? → The employer or competent person conducting the hazard assessment
22. What is the primary purpose of wire rope lubrication during crane operations? → To reduce internal friction between wires and strands and protect against corrosion
23. What OSHA regulation specifically governs tower crane erection, climbing, and dismantling? → 29 CFR 1926.1435
24. What is the primary function of the outriggers on a service truck crane? → To stabilize the crane during operation
25. An auxiliary boom point sheave, sometimes known as a rooster sheave, is used primarily to: → Divide the hoist lines.
26. What maintenance checks should be performed on the crane’s electrical systems? → The wiring, functionality of lights, and signals.
27. What must be verified after installing counterweights during mobile crane assembly? → That counterweight quantity and placement matches the load chart configuration being used
28. What is the effect of hoisting speed on dynamic loading? → Faster hoisting increases dynamic forces, especially when starting or stopping
29. The crane's backward stability is evaluated using: → Basic boom with no load over the side at its greatest angle
30. What does the term "operating radius" mean? → The separation between the load's center of gravity and the crane's center of rotation