OSHA Cranes & Derricks Quiz — 29 CFR 1926.1400-1442 Practice (Subpart CC) — Page 1 of 4
Free OSHA 30-Hour Construction cranes and derricks practice test with 40 realistic scenarios. Operator certification, rigging inspection, power line clearance, load charts, signal person requirements, and crane assembly/disassembly with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC references.
0 / 10
Q1/ 40
A 50-ton hydraulic crane is being set up on a construction site. The outriggers are fully extended. The crane will lift a 12,000-lb HVAC unit at a 40-foot radius. The operator checks the load chart and sees the maximum capacity at 40 feet is 14,500 lbs on outriggers. The rigging weighs 800 lbs. Is this lift within the crane's rated capacity?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1417(a): the equipment must not be operated in excess of its rated capacity. The NET load includes: the actual load weight + rigging weight + hook block weight + any other load-attached equipment. 12,000 + 800 = 12,800 lbs net load vs 14,500 lbs rated = 88.3%. While this is technically under the rated capacity, OSHA requires lifts between 75% and 100% of capacity to be treated as 'critical lifts' by many employers. The operator must also account for dynamic loading, wind, and ground bearing capacity. However, the weight calculation IS required — which makes the point that rigging IS part of the load.
Q2/ 40
A mobile crane is working 30 feet from an energized 115 kV overhead transmission line. The operator claims he only needs to maintain 10 feet of clearance because 'that's the OSHA minimum.' What is the actual minimum clearance required by 1926.1408 Table A for this voltage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
1926.1408 Table A: for power lines ≤50 kV, minimum clearance is 10 feet. For lines >50 kV to ≤200 kV (which includes this 115 kV line), minimum clearance is 15 feet. The operator's 10-foot assumption is wrong for this voltage class. Additionally, 1926.1408(b) requires that when operating within the minimum clearance distance, the employer must implement Option (3) measures: notify the power company, use encroachment prevention, and ensure lines are insulated or guarded.
Q3/ 40
During assembly of a tower crane, the crew discovers a wire rope sling with 8 randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay. The sling is a 6×19 IWRC rope being used to lift tower sections. The crew lead says to use it anyway because 'we have a safety factor.' What does 1926.1414(b) require?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1414(b)(1)(iv): wire rope slings shall be removed from service when there are 6 randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay. With 8 broken wires, this sling exceeds the criterion. 1926.1414(b)(2): the sling must be destroyed or rendered incapable of being used (cut up) so it cannot be accidentally reused. The 'safety factor' argument is dangerous — the 6-wire limit accounts for gradual degradation; 8 broken wires in one lay indicates rapid deterioration and potential catastrophic failure on the next lift.
Q4/ 40
A crane operator is making a blind lift — the load is on the other side of a building, out of the operator's direct line of sight. The operator can see the rigger through a gap in the structure but not the load itself. What does OSHA 1926.1419 require?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1419(a): when the point of operation is not in full view of the equipment operator, the operator must be directed by a signal person OR use a signaling system (radio, video, etc.). Seeing the rigger's face does not constitute 'point of operation' visibility — the operator must see the load, the landing area, and all potential obstructions. 1926.1419(b): signal persons must be qualified (demonstrate competency through oral/written test and practical demonstration per 1926.1428).
Q5/ 40
A lattice-boom crawler crane is traveling with an 8,000-lb load suspended. The track is on firm, level ground. The operator is moving at approximately 1.5 mph. Under 1926.1417(n), is this acceptable?
✅ Correct Answer: A
1926.1417(n): the equipment must not travel with a suspended load unless the employer has established specific procedures. The standard requires: (1) the operator must be trained on load travel, (2) no workers on the load, (3) the boom must be pointed in the direction of travel (unless good engineering practice dictates otherwise), (4) the path must be planned and inspected, (5) the load must be carried as close to the ground as possible. On firm, level ground, crawler cranes CAN travel with a load when these conditions are met.
Advertisement
Google AdSense — Responsive In-Article Ad
Q6/ 40
A rigger attaches two 5/8-inch wire rope slings to a 6,000-lb steel beam using a vertical hitch configuration. Each sling has a vertical-rated capacity of 5,800 lbs. The rigger does not use a tagline because 'the beam is heavy enough not to swing.' What issues exist?
✅ Correct Answer: B
With two vertical slings, the load distribution to each sling is 3,000 lbs (assuming the load center of gravity is centered). Each sling at 5,800 lbs capacity × 2 = 11,600 lbs total system capacity >> 6,000 lbs load. This part is fine. However, 1926.1431(c): taglines must be used on suspended loads when necessary to control the load. A steel beam being flown without a tagline can rotate or swing from wind or crane movement, creating a struck-by hazard for nearby workers.
Q7/ 40
A crane operator arrives at the jobsite Monday morning. The crane has been parked on-site over the weekend. The operator does a walk-around and starts the engine. Before making the first lift of the day, what does OSHA 1926.1412(d) require?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1412(d)(1): a competent person must begin a visual inspection before each shift the equipment will be used. The inspection must include: control mechanisms, pressurized lines, electrical apparatus, hooks with latches, wire rope reeving, ground conditions, outriggers, tires/tracks, and safety devices. 1926.1412(f): the inspection must be documented. This is not just 'checking fluids' — components could have failed or been vandalized over the weekend.
Q8/ 40
During a lift, a crane's load moment indicator (LMI) alarm sounds, warning of an impending overload. The operator looks at the load, estimates it's within limits based on experience, and manually overrides the LMI to continue the lift. Two minutes later, the crane tips. What section of 1926 Subpart CC was violated?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1416(d)(1): safety devices (including LMIs, anti-two-block devices, boom angle indicators) shall not be modified, bypassed, or deactivated unless the equipment manufacturer's procedures for doing so are followed AND the action is approved by the lift director. 1926.1416(d)(2): the equipment must not be used until the safety device is repaired or replaced. The LMI is a primary safety system — not a 'suggestion.' Overriding it defeats the engineering safeguard that prevents exactly this type of tipping incident.
Q9/ 40
A tower crane is erected on a construction site adjacent to a public sidewalk. There is no overhead protection for pedestrians. Under 1926.1424, what protections are required for the public area?
✅ Correct Answer: C
1926.1424(a)(1): where the equipment is used in areas accessible to the public, the employer must establish a work zone that prevents access by unauthorized persons. When lifts pass over public areas, pedestrians must be protected from falling loads. Options include: closing the sidewalk entirely, providing overhead protection (rated for impact loads), or scheduling lifts when the sidewalk can be temporarily cleared. A flagger alone (D) is insufficient — pedestrians cannot outrun a falling load.
Q10/ 40
A signal person is directing a crane operator using hand signals. The crane is making a critical lift of a 20,000-lb chiller unit being placed on a 5th-floor mechanical room. The operator momentarily loses sight of the signal person when the load passes behind a column. What must happen?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1419(c): when the operator is not able to see the signal person, operations must stop. The operator and signal person must be in continuous visual contact, OR a signaling system (radio) must be used that maintains continuous communication. A relay signal person IS an acceptable method under 1926.1419(d), but (C) incorrectly claims it's 'not required' when the standard explicitly allows it as a compliance method. The key requirement is: no visibility = stop until communication is restored.