222 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the maximum load that can be lifted without a load test
certificate? A: No load should be lifted without proper certification. All
hoisting equipment must have current load test certificates.
2. Q: How often must crane load charts be inspected? A: Load charts must
be inspected daily before operation and kept clean and legible in the operator's
cab.
3. Q: What is the minimum safe distance from power lines for equipment
under 50 kV? A: 10 feet minimum clearance is required for equipment
operating near power lines under 50 kV.
4. Q: Who is responsible for ensuring proper crane setup? A: The crane
operator, along with the competent person, is responsible for ensuring proper
crane setup and safety.
5. Q: What must be done before lifting personnel with a crane? A:
Personnel lifting requires special equipment, procedures, and must comply with
OSHA 1926.1431 standards.
6. Q: How often should wire rope be inspected? A: Wire rope must be
inspected daily before use and receive thorough monthly inspections.
7. Q: What is required when operating near overhead power lines? A: A
spotter must be assigned, and minimum clearance distances must be maintained
at all times.
8. Q: When must outriggers be used? A: Outriggers must be used whenever
specified in the manufacturer's load chart or when operating conditions require
them.
9. Q: What personal protective equipment is required for crane operators?
A: Hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility clothing are
typically required.
,10. Q: What is the maximum wind speed for crane operations? A:
Operations must cease when wind speeds exceed manufacturer specifications,
typically 20-25 mph.
SECTION 2: LOAD CALCULATIONS AND CAPACITY
11. Q: How do you calculate the total load weight? A: Add the weight of the
load plus all rigging hardware, blocks, and hooks below the load block.
12. Q: What factors reduce crane capacity? A: Working radius, boom length,
boom angle, outrigger position, and ground conditions affect capacity.
13. Q: Where is the crane's rated capacity found? A: On the manufacturer's
load chart permanently mounted in the operator's cab.
14. Q: What is the load radius? A: The horizontal distance from the centerline
of rotation to the center of the suspended load.
15. Q: How does boom length affect lifting capacity? A: Longer boom
lengths generally reduce the crane's lifting capacity at the same radius.
16. Q: What is the difference between gross capacity and net capacity? A:
Gross capacity includes the weight of the hook block and rigging; net capacity
is the actual load weight.
17. Q: When operating over the side, what capacity reduction applies? A:
Most cranes have reduced capacity when operating over the side rather than
over the front.
18. Q: What is the 75% rule in crane operations? A: For critical lifts, many
operations limit loads to 75% of the crane's rated capacity for that configuration.
19. Q: How do you determine if a load is within capacity? A: Calculate total
load weight and compare to the rated capacity at the actual working radius.
20. Q: What happens if you exceed the rated capacity? A: The load moment
system should prevent operation, and attempting to exceed capacity is unsafe
and illegal.
SECTION 3: RIGGING AND SLINGS
21. Q: What is the safe working load of a sling? A: The safe working load is
determined by the sling's rated capacity divided by the design safety factor.
, 22. Q: How does sling angle affect capacity? A: As sling angles decrease from
vertical, the tension in each leg increases significantly.
23. Q: What is the minimum sling angle allowed? A: Generally, sling angles
should not be less than 30 degrees from vertical.
24. Q: How often should slings be inspected? A: Slings must be inspected
before each use and receive detailed periodic inspections.
25. Q: What are the signs of wire rope sling deterioration? A: Broken wires,
kinks, crushing, corrosion, worn end attachments, and reduced diameter.
26. Q: When should a synthetic sling be removed from service? A: When
there are cuts, burns, chemical damage, excessive wear, or damaged hardware.
27. Q: What is the proper way to store slings? A: Store slings in a clean, dry
area away from chemicals and sharp objects, properly hung or coiled.
28. Q: What protection should be used at sharp edges? A: Corner protectors
or padding should be used to prevent sling damage from sharp edges.
29. Q: How do you calculate sling load for multiple-leg slings? A: Divide the
total load by the number of supporting legs, adjusted for sling angle.
30. Q: What is a choker hitch capacity reduction? A: Choker hitches
typically reduce sling capacity to about 75% of the straight pull rating.
SECTION 4: CRANE COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS
31. Q: What is the function of the load block? A: The load block contains
pulleys (sheaves) that support the load line and distribute weight.
32. Q: What does the boom hoist system control? A: The boom hoist system
raises and lowers the boom to change the working radius.
33. Q: What is the purpose of outriggers? A: Outriggers extend the crane's
footprint to provide stability and increase lifting capacity.
34. Q: How does the load moment system work? A: It monitors boom angle,
radius, and load weight to prevent overloading conditions.
35. Q: What is the function of the swing motor? A: The swing motor rotates
the upper works of the crane relative to the carrier.
1. Q: What is the maximum load that can be lifted without a load test
certificate? A: No load should be lifted without proper certification. All
hoisting equipment must have current load test certificates.
2. Q: How often must crane load charts be inspected? A: Load charts must
be inspected daily before operation and kept clean and legible in the operator's
cab.
3. Q: What is the minimum safe distance from power lines for equipment
under 50 kV? A: 10 feet minimum clearance is required for equipment
operating near power lines under 50 kV.
4. Q: Who is responsible for ensuring proper crane setup? A: The crane
operator, along with the competent person, is responsible for ensuring proper
crane setup and safety.
5. Q: What must be done before lifting personnel with a crane? A:
Personnel lifting requires special equipment, procedures, and must comply with
OSHA 1926.1431 standards.
6. Q: How often should wire rope be inspected? A: Wire rope must be
inspected daily before use and receive thorough monthly inspections.
7. Q: What is required when operating near overhead power lines? A: A
spotter must be assigned, and minimum clearance distances must be maintained
at all times.
8. Q: When must outriggers be used? A: Outriggers must be used whenever
specified in the manufacturer's load chart or when operating conditions require
them.
9. Q: What personal protective equipment is required for crane operators?
A: Hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility clothing are
typically required.
,10. Q: What is the maximum wind speed for crane operations? A:
Operations must cease when wind speeds exceed manufacturer specifications,
typically 20-25 mph.
SECTION 2: LOAD CALCULATIONS AND CAPACITY
11. Q: How do you calculate the total load weight? A: Add the weight of the
load plus all rigging hardware, blocks, and hooks below the load block.
12. Q: What factors reduce crane capacity? A: Working radius, boom length,
boom angle, outrigger position, and ground conditions affect capacity.
13. Q: Where is the crane's rated capacity found? A: On the manufacturer's
load chart permanently mounted in the operator's cab.
14. Q: What is the load radius? A: The horizontal distance from the centerline
of rotation to the center of the suspended load.
15. Q: How does boom length affect lifting capacity? A: Longer boom
lengths generally reduce the crane's lifting capacity at the same radius.
16. Q: What is the difference between gross capacity and net capacity? A:
Gross capacity includes the weight of the hook block and rigging; net capacity
is the actual load weight.
17. Q: When operating over the side, what capacity reduction applies? A:
Most cranes have reduced capacity when operating over the side rather than
over the front.
18. Q: What is the 75% rule in crane operations? A: For critical lifts, many
operations limit loads to 75% of the crane's rated capacity for that configuration.
19. Q: How do you determine if a load is within capacity? A: Calculate total
load weight and compare to the rated capacity at the actual working radius.
20. Q: What happens if you exceed the rated capacity? A: The load moment
system should prevent operation, and attempting to exceed capacity is unsafe
and illegal.
SECTION 3: RIGGING AND SLINGS
21. Q: What is the safe working load of a sling? A: The safe working load is
determined by the sling's rated capacity divided by the design safety factor.
, 22. Q: How does sling angle affect capacity? A: As sling angles decrease from
vertical, the tension in each leg increases significantly.
23. Q: What is the minimum sling angle allowed? A: Generally, sling angles
should not be less than 30 degrees from vertical.
24. Q: How often should slings be inspected? A: Slings must be inspected
before each use and receive detailed periodic inspections.
25. Q: What are the signs of wire rope sling deterioration? A: Broken wires,
kinks, crushing, corrosion, worn end attachments, and reduced diameter.
26. Q: When should a synthetic sling be removed from service? A: When
there are cuts, burns, chemical damage, excessive wear, or damaged hardware.
27. Q: What is the proper way to store slings? A: Store slings in a clean, dry
area away from chemicals and sharp objects, properly hung or coiled.
28. Q: What protection should be used at sharp edges? A: Corner protectors
or padding should be used to prevent sling damage from sharp edges.
29. Q: How do you calculate sling load for multiple-leg slings? A: Divide the
total load by the number of supporting legs, adjusted for sling angle.
30. Q: What is a choker hitch capacity reduction? A: Choker hitches
typically reduce sling capacity to about 75% of the straight pull rating.
SECTION 4: CRANE COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS
31. Q: What is the function of the load block? A: The load block contains
pulleys (sheaves) that support the load line and distribute weight.
32. Q: What does the boom hoist system control? A: The boom hoist system
raises and lowers the boom to change the working radius.
33. Q: What is the purpose of outriggers? A: Outriggers extend the crane's
footprint to provide stability and increase lifting capacity.
34. Q: How does the load moment system work? A: It monitors boom angle,
radius, and load weight to prevent overloading conditions.
35. Q: What is the function of the swing motor? A: The swing motor rotates
the upper works of the crane relative to the carrier.
