NCCER Module 6 Basic Rigging
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027: 100%
Verified Questions & Correct Answers
Question 1: You are inspecting a synthetic web sling before a lift. Which of the following
conditions would require you to immediately remove the sling from service according to
ASME B30.9?
A. Slight surface dirt that can be wiped clean
B. Missing or illegible identification tag
C. Minor color fading from sun exposure
D. Slight stiffness in the fabric
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASME B30.9 and NCCER Module 6 standards require that synthetic slings with
missing or illegible identification tags be removed from service immediately. The tag
contains critical information including rated capacity, material type, and manufacturer data
necessary for safe use. Dirt, color fading, and minor stiffness do not constitute rejection
criteria unless they affect strength or visibility of markings.
Question 2: During a rigging operation, you need to lift a 2,000-pound load using a single-leg
wire rope sling in a vertical hitch. The sling has a rated capacity of 2,500 pounds in a vertical
configuration. What is the safety factor?
A. 1.0
B. 1.25
C. 2.0
D. 5.0
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The safety factor is calculated by dividing the rated capacity by the actual load:
2,500 ÷ 2,000 = 1.25. While wire rope slings typically have a design factor of 5:1 (breaking
strength vs. rated capacity), the operational safety factor for this specific lift is 1.25. NCCER
Module 6 emphasizes that the rated capacity must never be exceeded, and a minimum safety
margin should be maintained.
,Question 3: You are using a choker hitch to lift a steel beam. As the sling angle decreases
(becomes more horizontal), what happens to the stress on the sling?
A. Stress decreases proportionally
B. Stress remains constant regardless of angle
C. Stress increases significantly
D. Stress decreases by half
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to NCCER Module 6 and ASME B30.9, as the angle of the choke
becomes more horizontal (less than 90 degrees), the tension on the sling legs increases
dramatically due to the angle factor. At 30 degrees, the tension is approximately double the
load weight. This is why sling angle charts must always be consulted, and angles below 30
degrees are generally prohibited.
Question 4: Which ASME B30.5 hand signal involves extending the arm with the palm down,
then making a fist with the thumb pointing outward, and moving the thumb in small circles?
A. Raise the boom
B. Lower the boom
C. Swing the boom
D. Extend the boom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is the standard ASME B30.5 hand signal for "swing" or "rotate." The thumb
pointing outward and moving in circles indicates the direction of swing. NCCER Module 6
requires riggers to know and properly demonstrate all standard ASME hand signals for crane
operations to ensure clear communication and prevent accidents.
Question 5: You are inspecting an alloy steel chain sling before use. What is the maximum
allowable temperature for most alloy steel chain slings in continuous service?
A. 200°F (93°C)
B. 400°F (204°C)
C. 500°F (260°C)
D. 1,000°F (538°C)
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: According to NCCER Module 6 and ASME B30.9, most alloy steel chain slings can
be used in temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) without reduction in rated capacity. Above this
temperature, the chain must be removed from service or derated according to manufacturer
specifications. Temperatures above 1,000°F permanently damage the chain's metallurgical
properties.
Question 6: When using a basket hitch with two legs to lift a 4,000-pound load, and each leg is
at a 60-degree angle from horizontal, what is the approximate tension on each leg?
A. 1,000 pounds
B. 2,000 pounds
C. 2,310 pounds
D. 4,000 pounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the sling angle factor formula from NCCER Module 6: Tension = Load ÷
(Number of Legs × sin(Angle)). For a 60-degree angle from horizontal (30 degrees from
vertical), the angle factor is 0.866. Calculation: 4,000 ÷ (2 × 0.866) = 4,000 ÷ 1.732 = 2,309
pounds, rounded to 2,310 pounds per leg. This demonstrates why angle is critical in rigging
calculations.
Question 7: You are rigging a load and notice the "tattle-tail" (overload indicator) on a
synthetic round sling has been pulled completely inside its jacket. What does this indicate?
A. The sling is properly tensioned
B. The sling has been overloaded and must be removed from service
C. The sling needs lubrication
D. The sling is ready for inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tattle-tail is a safety feature on synthetic round slings designed to indicate
overloading. When the load exceeds the sling's rated capacity, the core yarns stretch and pull
the tattle-tail into the jacket. Per NCCER Module 6 and ASME B30.9, if the tattle-tail is pulled
inside the jacket, the sling has been shock-loaded or overloaded and must be removed from
service immediately, even if visible damage is not apparent.
Question 8: Which type of shackle is typically used for overhead lifting applications requiring
the highest strength and safety margins?
A. Cast iron shackle
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027: 100%
Verified Questions & Correct Answers
Question 1: You are inspecting a synthetic web sling before a lift. Which of the following
conditions would require you to immediately remove the sling from service according to
ASME B30.9?
A. Slight surface dirt that can be wiped clean
B. Missing or illegible identification tag
C. Minor color fading from sun exposure
D. Slight stiffness in the fabric
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ASME B30.9 and NCCER Module 6 standards require that synthetic slings with
missing or illegible identification tags be removed from service immediately. The tag
contains critical information including rated capacity, material type, and manufacturer data
necessary for safe use. Dirt, color fading, and minor stiffness do not constitute rejection
criteria unless they affect strength or visibility of markings.
Question 2: During a rigging operation, you need to lift a 2,000-pound load using a single-leg
wire rope sling in a vertical hitch. The sling has a rated capacity of 2,500 pounds in a vertical
configuration. What is the safety factor?
A. 1.0
B. 1.25
C. 2.0
D. 5.0
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The safety factor is calculated by dividing the rated capacity by the actual load:
2,500 ÷ 2,000 = 1.25. While wire rope slings typically have a design factor of 5:1 (breaking
strength vs. rated capacity), the operational safety factor for this specific lift is 1.25. NCCER
Module 6 emphasizes that the rated capacity must never be exceeded, and a minimum safety
margin should be maintained.
,Question 3: You are using a choker hitch to lift a steel beam. As the sling angle decreases
(becomes more horizontal), what happens to the stress on the sling?
A. Stress decreases proportionally
B. Stress remains constant regardless of angle
C. Stress increases significantly
D. Stress decreases by half
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to NCCER Module 6 and ASME B30.9, as the angle of the choke
becomes more horizontal (less than 90 degrees), the tension on the sling legs increases
dramatically due to the angle factor. At 30 degrees, the tension is approximately double the
load weight. This is why sling angle charts must always be consulted, and angles below 30
degrees are generally prohibited.
Question 4: Which ASME B30.5 hand signal involves extending the arm with the palm down,
then making a fist with the thumb pointing outward, and moving the thumb in small circles?
A. Raise the boom
B. Lower the boom
C. Swing the boom
D. Extend the boom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is the standard ASME B30.5 hand signal for "swing" or "rotate." The thumb
pointing outward and moving in circles indicates the direction of swing. NCCER Module 6
requires riggers to know and properly demonstrate all standard ASME hand signals for crane
operations to ensure clear communication and prevent accidents.
Question 5: You are inspecting an alloy steel chain sling before use. What is the maximum
allowable temperature for most alloy steel chain slings in continuous service?
A. 200°F (93°C)
B. 400°F (204°C)
C. 500°F (260°C)
D. 1,000°F (538°C)
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: According to NCCER Module 6 and ASME B30.9, most alloy steel chain slings can
be used in temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) without reduction in rated capacity. Above this
temperature, the chain must be removed from service or derated according to manufacturer
specifications. Temperatures above 1,000°F permanently damage the chain's metallurgical
properties.
Question 6: When using a basket hitch with two legs to lift a 4,000-pound load, and each leg is
at a 60-degree angle from horizontal, what is the approximate tension on each leg?
A. 1,000 pounds
B. 2,000 pounds
C. 2,310 pounds
D. 4,000 pounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the sling angle factor formula from NCCER Module 6: Tension = Load ÷
(Number of Legs × sin(Angle)). For a 60-degree angle from horizontal (30 degrees from
vertical), the angle factor is 0.866. Calculation: 4,000 ÷ (2 × 0.866) = 4,000 ÷ 1.732 = 2,309
pounds, rounded to 2,310 pounds per leg. This demonstrates why angle is critical in rigging
calculations.
Question 7: You are rigging a load and notice the "tattle-tail" (overload indicator) on a
synthetic round sling has been pulled completely inside its jacket. What does this indicate?
A. The sling is properly tensioned
B. The sling has been overloaded and must be removed from service
C. The sling needs lubrication
D. The sling is ready for inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tattle-tail is a safety feature on synthetic round slings designed to indicate
overloading. When the load exceeds the sling's rated capacity, the core yarns stretch and pull
the tattle-tail into the jacket. Per NCCER Module 6 and ASME B30.9, if the tattle-tail is pulled
inside the jacket, the sling has been shock-loaded or overloaded and must be removed from
service immediately, even if visible damage is not apparent.
Question 8: Which type of shackle is typically used for overhead lifting applications requiring
the highest strength and safety margins?
A. Cast iron shackle
