Mobile Crane Operator Fundamentals Flashcards

A crane operator notices the load line is kinked and has several broken wires. The correct action is to:

Answer: Remove the rope from service immediately

Wire rope with kinks or broken wires must be removed from service per ASME B30.5 and OSHA regulations.

On a hydraulic telescoping boom crane, 'fly section' refers to:

Answer: The outermost, fully extended boom section

The fly section is the tip section of a telescoping boom that extends furthest from the base section.

When using a load moment indicator (LMI), the operator should treat it as:

Answer: A backup device — the operator must also verify conditions manually

LMI devices are aids that can malfunction; operators must always cross-check with load charts and apply their own judgment.

What does 'working radius' mean in crane operation?

Answer: The horizontal distance from the center of rotation to the center of the load

Working radius is measured horizontally from the crane's center of rotation (slewing axis) to the plumb line of the load.

If ground conditions are soft or uncertain, the operator should:

Answer: Consult a qualified engineer and increase pad bearing area

Questionable ground conditions require engineering evaluation and potentially larger pads or ground improvement before any lift proceeds.

Which of the following best describes a 'critical lift' under ASME B30.5?

Answer: A lift exceeding 75% of the crane's rated capacity or involving unusual hazards

Critical lifts typically include those at 75% or more of rated capacity, tandem lifts, or lifts with extraordinary risk, requiring additional planning.

A signal person is required when:

Answer: The operator's view of the load or travel path is obstructed

OSHA 1926.1419 requires a signal person whenever the operator cannot see the load, path, or landing zone clearly.