NWSA - National Wireless Safety Alliance Hoisting and Rigging Practices Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the ANSI/ASSP A10.48 standard, which of the following is a mandatory component of a rigging plan for a communication structure lift?
- The brand name of the hoist being used
- The names of all ground crew personnel
- Operational and non-operational construction loads and limitations (Correct answer)
- The weather forecast for the next 48 hours
Correct answer: Operational and non-operational construction loads and limitations
The ANSI/ASSP A10.48 standard specifies that a rigging plan must include details about the construction loads, both operational and non-operational, and their limitations to ensure the structural stability and safety of the lift.
Question 2: A signal person is communicating with a crane operator to swing the boom to the left. What is the standard OSHA hand signal for this command?
- Arm extended horizontally, with the index finger pointing in the direction of the swing. (Correct answer)
- Both arms extended horizontally, swinging them back and forth.
- Forearm vertical, index finger pointing up, making small circles.
- Arm extended, thumb pointing down, flexing fingers in and out.
Correct answer: Arm extended horizontally, with the index finger pointing in the direction of the swing.
The standard OSHA and ASME hand signal for swinging a crane boom is to extend the arm horizontally with the index finger pointing in the intended direction of the boom's movement.
Question 3: During a pre-use inspection of a gin pole, a competent person discovers a crack in a weld on one of the leg sections. What is the correct course of action?
- Note the crack in the inspection log and proceed with the lift if the crack is small.
- Apply a temporary field weld over the crack and continue with the operation.
- Immediately remove the gin pole from service until it can be inspected by a qualified person and properly repaired. (Correct answer)
- Reduce the day's planned load capacity by 50% as a safety precaution.
Correct answer: Immediately remove the gin pole from service until it can be inspected by a qualified person and properly repaired.
Industry standards and safety regulations mandate that if any cracks or significant defects are found during a gin pole inspection, the equipment must be immediately removed from service. Operations should not resume until a qualified person has inspected the damage and it has been repaired according to the manufacturer's or an engineer's specifications.
Question 4: A rigging crew is preparing to lift a new antenna array that weighs 450 lbs. The synthetic rope being used has a manufacturer's breaking strength of 5,000 lbs. What is the factor of safety for the rope in this lift?
- 5:1
- 8:1
- 10:1
- 11.1:1 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 11.1:1
The factor of safety is calculated by dividing the breaking strength of the rope by the working load limit (the weight of the load). In this scenario: 5,000 lbs (Breaking Strength) / 450 lbs (Load) = 11.11. The factor of safety is approximately 11.1:1. Note that while rigging components often require a minimum 5:1 safety factor, synthetic ropes typically require 10:1. This lift exceeds the minimum requirement.
Question 5: Which of the following personnel is ultimately responsible for developing and approving a 'special engineered lift' that falls outside the gin pole's standard load chart?
- The Competent Rigger
- The Site Foreman
- The Tower Owner
- A Qualified Professional Engineer (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A Qualified Professional Engineer
When a lift's parameters fall outside of the standard load chart provided by the manufacturer, it is classified as a special engineered lift. Such lifts require specific planning, analysis, and approval from a qualified professional engineer to ensure safety and structural integrity.
Question 6: A capstan hoist is being used to lift materials up a tower. What is a primary safety prohibition regarding the use of this type of hoist?
- Using it to lift loads heavier than 100 lbs
- Operating it in wet weather conditions
- Using it for hoisting personnel (Correct answer)
- Running the engine for more than 30 minutes continuously
Correct answer: Using it for hoisting personnel
OSHA regulations and industry standards, such as ANSI/ASSP A10.48, explicitly prohibit the use of capstan hoists for lifting personnel. These hoists are designed for materials only, and a base-mounted drum hoist is required for personnel lifts.
NWSA - National Wireless Safety Alliance Hoisting and Rigging Practices Questions and Answers 1
According to the ANSI/ASSP A10.48 standard, which of the following is a mandatory component of a rigging plan for a communication structure lift?