NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator Fundamentals 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A crane operator notices the load line is kinked and has several broken wires. The correct action is to:
- Continue the lift if only a few wires are broken
- Reduce the load by 25% to compensate
- Remove the rope from service immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply rope lubricant and continue
Correct 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.
Question 2: On a hydraulic telescoping boom crane, 'fly section' refers to:
- The main hoist drum
- The outermost, fully extended boom section (Correct answer)
- The jib attachment point
- The hydraulic pump
Correct 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.
Question 3: When using a load moment indicator (LMI), the operator should treat it as:
- The sole authority for lift decisions
- A backup device — the operator must also verify conditions manually (Correct answer)
- A replacement for reading the load chart
- Optional equipment not required for certification
Correct 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.
Question 4: What does 'working radius' mean in crane operation?
- The maximum swing arc of the crane
- The horizontal distance from the center of rotation to the center of the load (Correct answer)
- The length of the boom
- The distance from the outrigger pad to the load
Correct 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.
Question 5: If ground conditions are soft or uncertain, the operator should:
- Proceed with the lift and monitor for settling
- Use only the manufacturer's minimum outrigger pad size
- Consult a qualified engineer and increase pad bearing area (Correct answer)
- Reduce the load by 50% and continue
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes a 'critical lift' under ASME B30.5?
- Any lift over 1,000 lbs
- A lift exceeding 75% of the crane's rated capacity or involving unusual hazards (Correct answer)
- Any lift requiring a tag line
- A lift performed at night
Correct 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.
Question 7: A signal person is required when:
- All lifts regardless of conditions
- The operator's view of the load or travel path is obstructed (Correct answer)
- Only during tandem lifts
- The load exceeds 5,000 lbs
Correct 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.
NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator Fundamentals 5
A crane operator notices the load line is kinked and has several broken wires.
The correct action is to: