RSP Load Handling & Safety Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a load begins to swing during a lift, what is the FIRST corrective action a signal person should take?
- Signal the operator to hoist higher to clear the swing
- Signal the operator to stop all movement immediately (Correct answer)
- Instruct ground workers to grab the load and stabilize it
- Continue signaling normal operations until swing stops naturally
Correct answer: Signal the operator to stop all movement immediately
Stopping all crane movement immediately prevents the swing from worsening and gives the operator time to assess and control the situation safely.
Question 2: What does the term 'two-blocking' refer to in crane operations?
- Using two separate rigging blocks on the same load
- The hook block contacting the boom tip or sheave assembly (Correct answer)
- A double-choke hitch configuration around a load
- Blocking two outriggers on the same side of the crane
Correct answer: The hook block contacting the boom tip or sheave assembly
Two-blocking occurs when the hook block is hoisted up until it contacts the boom tip, which can cause the hoist line to break or the block to fail.
Question 3: Which factor is MOST critical when determining the center of gravity of an irregular-shaped load?
- The total surface area of the load
- The weight distribution across the load's dimensions (Correct answer)
- The color coding on the load's packaging
- The manufacturer's stated shipping weight only
Correct answer: The weight distribution across the load's dimensions
The weight distribution across the load determines where the center of gravity is located, which dictates how rigging must be configured to keep the load stable.
Question 4: A rigger notices that a synthetic web sling has a UV-faded label and is slightly stiff. What should be done?
- Apply sling conditioner and return it to service
- Use the sling only for lighter loads under 50% rated capacity
- Remove the sling from service and tag it as defective (Correct answer)
- Continue use as long as there are no visible cuts or tears
Correct answer: Remove the sling from service and tag it as defective
UV degradation and stiffness in synthetic slings are signs of material deterioration that reduce load capacity; the sling must be removed from service.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of using a tag line during a crane lift?
- To increase the rated load capacity of the rigging
- To control load rotation and prevent uncontrolled swinging (Correct answer)
- To attach additional rigging legs to the load
- To signal the crane operator when to begin hoisting
Correct answer: To control load rotation and prevent uncontrolled swinging
Tag lines allow ground workers to control load orientation and prevent dangerous spinning or swinging without personnel having to touch the load directly.
Question 6: Under OSHA regulations, what is the minimum number of wraps required when using a wire rope clip (Crosby clip) to form a fixed eye?
- 1 clip for any diameter rope
- 2 clips minimum for all diameters
- 3 clips minimum for most wire rope diameters (Correct answer)
- 5 clips minimum for all sizes
Correct answer: 3 clips minimum for most wire rope diameters
OSHA and manufacturer guidelines generally require a minimum of three wire rope clips for most wire rope diameters to achieve the required efficiency rating.
Question 7: When rigging a load with a basket hitch, the sling angle from horizontal affects capacity. What happens to the load on each sling leg as the angle DECREASES toward horizontal?
- The load on each leg decreases proportionally
- The load on each leg increases significantly (Correct answer)
- The load on each leg remains constant regardless of angle
- The load distributes more evenly with lower angles
Correct answer: The load on each leg increases significantly
As sling angle decreases toward horizontal, the tension (load) on each sling leg increases dramatically due to the increased horizontal component of force.
RSP Load Handling & Safety Practices 2
When a load begins to swing during a lift, what is the FIRST corrective action a signal person should take?