NCCCO Crane Operations & Safety Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a critical lift (load exceeding 75% of the crane's rated capacity), what is required before the lift begins?
- A written critical lift plan approved by a qualified person (Correct answer)
- Verbal approval from the site supervisor only
- A standard lift plan with no additional requirements
- Notification to OSHA before proceeding
Correct answer: A written critical lift plan approved by a qualified person
OSHA 1926.1433 requires a written critical lift plan reviewed and approved by a qualified person before any critical lift is performed.
Question 2: What action should a crane operator take if they receive a stop signal from anyone on the job site?
- Continue the lift and wait for the signal from the designated signal person only
- Stop the load immediately regardless of who gave the signal (Correct answer)
- Complete the lift cycle before stopping
- Contact the supervisor before stopping
Correct answer: Stop the load immediately regardless of who gave the signal
A stop signal must be obeyed immediately regardless of who gives it—this is a universal safety rule for crane operations.
Question 3: What is the minimum safe distance a crane must maintain from an energized power line of 50 kV or less during operations?
- 3 feet
- 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 20 feet
- 50 feet
Correct answer: 10 feet
OSHA 1926.1408 requires a minimum clearance of 10 feet from energized power lines rated 50 kV or below.
Question 4: During a tandem lift (two cranes lifting one load), who is responsible for directing the overall operation?
- The operator of the larger crane
- A qualified lift director designated in the lift plan (Correct answer)
- The senior rigger on site
- Both crane operators share equal responsibility
Correct answer: A qualified lift director designated in the lift plan
OSHA requires a qualified lift director to be designated and in charge when two or more cranes are used to hoist a single load.
Question 5: A crane's load chart shows a capacity of 20 tons at a 30-foot radius. If the boom angle is reduced, increasing the radius to 40 feet, what generally happens to the rated capacity?
- The capacity increases because the boom is lower
- The capacity stays the same regardless of radius
- The capacity decreases as radius increases (Correct answer)
- The capacity doubles to compensate for the longer reach
Correct answer: The capacity decreases as radius increases
As the load radius increases (boom angle decreases), rated capacity decreases due to increased moment arm forces on the crane.
Question 6: What must an operator do before moving a loaded crane on a job site?
- Sound the horn once and proceed at normal speed
- Verify the travel path is clear, ground conditions are adequate, and load is properly secured (Correct answer)
- Obtain written permission from the project manager
- Reduce the load to 50% of rated capacity before traveling
Correct answer: Verify the travel path is clear, ground conditions are adequate, and load is properly secured
Before traveling with a load, the operator must confirm safe travel path, adequate ground bearing capacity, and that the load is properly secured.
Question 7: When must a crane's annual inspection be performed?
- Every 12 months by a qualified person (Correct answer)
- Every 6 months by the crane operator
- Only when the crane shows visible damage
- Before every new job site assignment
Correct answer: Every 12 months by a qualified person
OSHA 1926.1412(f) requires annual inspections by a qualified person at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
NCCCO Crane Operations & Safety Procedures 4
When performing a critical lift (load exceeding 75% of the crane's rated capacity), what is required before the lift begins?