NCCER Crane Operations & Safety Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must be posted in the cab of a lattice boom crawler crane according to NCCER and OSHA standards?
- The operator's daily inspection checklist only
- Load charts, operating procedures, and recommended operating speeds (Correct answer)
- Emergency contact numbers and site safety plan
- The rigging crew's certification cards
Correct answer: Load charts, operating procedures, and recommended operating speeds
Load charts, operating procedures, and manufacturer recommended speeds must be posted in the cab for the operator to reference during operations.
Question 2: What is the primary reason a crane should NEVER be used to pull a load horizontally along the ground (dragging)?
- It causes excessive wear on the hoist drum
- It can apply a side load that exceeds the crane's structural capacity (Correct answer)
- It violates OSHA noise level limits
- It can overheat the engine cooling system
Correct answer: It can apply a side load that exceeds the crane's structural capacity
Dragging loads applies side and horizontal forces the crane structure is not rated for, which can cause boom or crane structural failure.
Question 3: If a crane operator discovers that an outrigger pad is sinking during a lift, what is the FIRST action to take?
- Continue the lift and report the issue after completion
- Slowly swing the load to the opposite side to redistribute weight
- Stop all crane movement and lower the load to the ground immediately (Correct answer)
- Have a ground worker reposition the outrigger pad while the load is suspended
Correct answer: Stop all crane movement and lower the load to the ground immediately
Sinking outrigger pads indicate the ground is failing, which can cause the crane to overturn; the load must be lowered immediately.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'lift plan' or 'rigging plan' before performing a crane lift?
- To document the crane operator's hourly wage for payroll
- To pre-plan the safest rigging method, load path, and hazard controls (Correct answer)
- To calculate the crane operator's overtime during the lift
- To assign blame if an accident occurs during the lift
Correct answer: To pre-plan the safest rigging method, load path, and hazard controls
A lift plan identifies hazards, specifies rigging, and establishes safe procedures before lifting begins.
Question 5: Which of the following describes the 'working radius' of a crane?
- The total distance the crane can travel in one shift
- The horizontal distance from the axis of rotation to the center of the load (Correct answer)
- The vertical distance from the ground to the boom tip
- The length of rope on the hoist drum
Correct answer: The horizontal distance from the axis of rotation to the center of the load
Working radius is the horizontal distance from the crane's centerline of rotation to the center of the load being lifted.
Question 6: During a tandem lift (two cranes lifting one load), what is critical to the safety of the lift?
- Both cranes must be the same brand and model
- The load must be divided equally between both cranes at all times
- A pre-planned load distribution that keeps each crane within its rated capacity (Correct answer)
- Both cranes must be operated by the same person using remote controls
Correct answer: A pre-planned load distribution that keeps each crane within its rated capacity
In a tandem lift, load distribution must be pre-calculated so neither crane exceeds its capacity at any point during the lift.
Question 7: What does 'structural inspection' of a crane involve that a routine shift inspection does NOT?
- Checking fuel and fluid levels
- Checking brake and clutch function
- Examining welds, boom chords, and lacings for cracks or deformation (Correct answer)
- Verifying that load charts are present in the cab
Correct answer: Examining welds, boom chords, and lacings for cracks or deformation
Structural inspections examine load-bearing components like welds, boom chords, and lacings for damage that could cause catastrophic failure.
NCCER Crane Operations & Safety Procedures 4
What information must be posted in the cab of a lattice boom crawler crane according to NCCER and OSHA standards?