OSHA Pre-Lift Planning & Load Chart Interpretation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a crane load chart?
- To list the crane's purchase price and depreciation schedule
- To define the maximum load capacity at various radii and boom configurations (Correct answer)
- To provide the operator's daily inspection checklist
- To document the site's soil bearing pressure
Correct answer: To define the maximum load capacity at various radii and boom configurations
A load chart specifies the crane's rated lifting capacity at varying radii, boom lengths, and configurations to prevent overload.
Question 2: When reading a crane load chart, 'radius' refers to:
- The height of the load above the ground
- The horizontal distance from the crane's centerline of rotation to the center of the load (Correct answer)
- The length of the hoist rope in use
- The weight of the rigging hardware
Correct answer: The horizontal distance from the crane's centerline of rotation to the center of the load
Radius is the horizontal distance from the crane's rotation centerline to the load's center of gravity, which directly affects rated capacity.
Question 3: A pre-lift meeting is required by OSHA 1926.1431 for which type of lift?
- All routine picks over 1,000 lbs
- Critical lifts and multiple-crane lifts (Correct answer)
- Any lift performed in wind over 10 mph
- Lifts performed during overtime hours
Correct answer: Critical lifts and multiple-crane lifts
OSHA 1926.1431 mandates a pre-lift meeting and written plan for critical lifts and operations involving multiple cranes.
Question 4: Which factor is NOT typically included in a pre-lift plan?
- Crane capacity and configuration
- Rigging hardware specifications
- Operator's personal credit score (Correct answer)
- Ground conditions and outrigger pad sizing
Correct answer: Operator's personal credit score
Personal financial information is irrelevant to crane safety; a pre-lift plan focuses on equipment, rigging, ground, and personnel factors.
Question 5: What percentage of the crane's rated capacity is typically used as the threshold to define a 'critical lift' under many OSHA and industry guidelines?
- 50%
- 75% (Correct answer)
- 85%
- 95%
Correct answer: 75%
A lift exceeding 75% of the crane's rated capacity is commonly defined as a critical lift requiring a written plan and pre-lift meeting.
Question 6: Before beginning any lift, the operator must verify the load weight by:
- Estimating based on visual size alone
- Consulting load documentation, lift tickets, or engineering calculations (Correct answer)
- Asking the rigger for a rough guess
- Relying solely on the foreman's verbal estimate
Correct answer: Consulting load documentation, lift tickets, or engineering calculations
OSHA requires operators to know the load weight through documentation, calculations, or engineering data — not estimates — before lifting.
OSHA Pre-Lift Planning & Load Chart Interpretation 1
What is the primary purpose of a crane load chart?