NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
Questions with Answers & Rationales| Latest Update
Page 1
,NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
1. Before setting up a mobile crane on a job site, who is responsible for
ensuring the ground conditions are adequate to support the crane and
load?
A. The rigger only
B. The controlling entity, in coordination with the employer and crane
operator
C. The crane manufacturer
D. No one; ground conditions are the crane's problem alone
Answer: B
Rationale: Per OSHA 1926.1402, the controlling entity must ensure ground
conditions are adequate, and if the controlling entity does not have the
requisite knowledge, it must coordinate with the employer/operator to
determine what actions are needed to establish proper support.
2. What is the primary purpose of using outrigger pads (cribbing/mats)
under a mobile crane's outriggers?
A. To level the crane only
B. To distribute the load over a larger surface area and prevent ground
failure
C. To increase the crane's lifting capacity beyond the load chart
D. To reduce fuel consumption
Answer: B
Rationale: Outrigger pads/mats distribute the concentrated point load from
the outrigger float over a wider surface area, reducing the ground bearing
pressure and helping prevent the ground from failing or the crane from
tipping.
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,NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
3. A crane operator notices the ground beneath one outrigger is softer
than the others. What should the operator do before beginning lift
operations?
A. Proceed with the lift since three outriggers are firm
B. Stop and ensure adequate support (larger/thicker cribbing) is in place
under all outriggers before lifting
C. Reduce tire pressure to compensate
D. Shift the entire load to the opposite side
Answer: B
Rationale: Uneven or inadequate ground support under any outrigger can
lead to crane instability or tip-over. The operator must ensure all outriggers
are properly and equally supported before beginning any lifting operations.
4. When a mobile crane is set up near an excavation or trench, what
minimum consideration must be addressed regarding proximity to the
edge?
A. No special consideration is required if outriggers are fully extended
B. The crane must be positioned so that the load, boom, or crane itself will
not cause a cave-in or the crane to be unstable, factoring in the angle of
repose of the soil
C. Excavations only matter for crawler cranes, not truck-mounted cranes
D. The crane can be positioned as close as needed as long as a spotter is
present
Answer: B
Rationale: Excavations reduce lateral soil support and increase the risk of
ground collapse under crane loading. The crane must be set back a
sufficient distance based on soil type, angle of repose, and excavation depth
to prevent collapse and crane instability.
Page 3
, NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
5. What must a crane operator verify regarding overhead power lines
before beginning operations, per OSHA regulations, when working near
lines up to 350 kV?
A. No minimum clearance distance is required if the crane is grounded
B. A minimum clearance of 20 feet must be maintained unless the lines are
de-energized or additional precautions per the standard are taken
C. A minimum clearance of 6 feet is always sufficient
D. Clearance requirements only apply to boom trucks, not lattice boom
cranes
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1408 generally requires a minimum clearance of 20
feet from power lines up to 350 kV for equipment operations, unless the lines
have been confirmed de-energized and visibly grounded, or unless a
documented encroachment prevention plan meeting specific criteria is in
place.
6. Which of the following is a required step before a crane is used on a
site involving assembly/disassembly (A/D) operations?
A. A/D operations do not require any specific planning
B. An assembly/disassembly director who meets qualification requirements
must supervise the operation
C. Only the operator needs to be present
D. The load chart is not needed during assembly
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA requires that assembly and disassembly operations be
directed by a person who meets the definition of an A/D director, having the
knowledge, experience, and training to identify and address hazards
associated with the A/D process.
Page 4
NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
Questions with Answers & Rationales| Latest Update
Page 1
,NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
1. Before setting up a mobile crane on a job site, who is responsible for
ensuring the ground conditions are adequate to support the crane and
load?
A. The rigger only
B. The controlling entity, in coordination with the employer and crane
operator
C. The crane manufacturer
D. No one; ground conditions are the crane's problem alone
Answer: B
Rationale: Per OSHA 1926.1402, the controlling entity must ensure ground
conditions are adequate, and if the controlling entity does not have the
requisite knowledge, it must coordinate with the employer/operator to
determine what actions are needed to establish proper support.
2. What is the primary purpose of using outrigger pads (cribbing/mats)
under a mobile crane's outriggers?
A. To level the crane only
B. To distribute the load over a larger surface area and prevent ground
failure
C. To increase the crane's lifting capacity beyond the load chart
D. To reduce fuel consumption
Answer: B
Rationale: Outrigger pads/mats distribute the concentrated point load from
the outrigger float over a wider surface area, reducing the ground bearing
pressure and helping prevent the ground from failing or the crane from
tipping.
Page 2
,NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
3. A crane operator notices the ground beneath one outrigger is softer
than the others. What should the operator do before beginning lift
operations?
A. Proceed with the lift since three outriggers are firm
B. Stop and ensure adequate support (larger/thicker cribbing) is in place
under all outriggers before lifting
C. Reduce tire pressure to compensate
D. Shift the entire load to the opposite side
Answer: B
Rationale: Uneven or inadequate ground support under any outrigger can
lead to crane instability or tip-over. The operator must ensure all outriggers
are properly and equally supported before beginning any lifting operations.
4. When a mobile crane is set up near an excavation or trench, what
minimum consideration must be addressed regarding proximity to the
edge?
A. No special consideration is required if outriggers are fully extended
B. The crane must be positioned so that the load, boom, or crane itself will
not cause a cave-in or the crane to be unstable, factoring in the angle of
repose of the soil
C. Excavations only matter for crawler cranes, not truck-mounted cranes
D. The crane can be positioned as close as needed as long as a spotter is
present
Answer: B
Rationale: Excavations reduce lateral soil support and increase the risk of
ground collapse under crane loading. The crane must be set back a
sufficient distance based on soil type, angle of repose, and excavation depth
to prevent collapse and crane instability.
Page 3
, NCCCO Mobile Crane Exam
5. What must a crane operator verify regarding overhead power lines
before beginning operations, per OSHA regulations, when working near
lines up to 350 kV?
A. No minimum clearance distance is required if the crane is grounded
B. A minimum clearance of 20 feet must be maintained unless the lines are
de-energized or additional precautions per the standard are taken
C. A minimum clearance of 6 feet is always sufficient
D. Clearance requirements only apply to boom trucks, not lattice boom
cranes
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA 1926.1408 generally requires a minimum clearance of 20
feet from power lines up to 350 kV for equipment operations, unless the lines
have been confirmed de-energized and visibly grounded, or unless a
documented encroachment prevention plan meeting specific criteria is in
place.
6. Which of the following is a required step before a crane is used on a
site involving assembly/disassembly (A/D) operations?
A. A/D operations do not require any specific planning
B. An assembly/disassembly director who meets qualification requirements
must supervise the operation
C. Only the operator needs to be present
D. The load chart is not needed during assembly
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA requires that assembly and disassembly operations be
directed by a person who meets the definition of an A/D director, having the
knowledge, experience, and training to identify and address hazards
associated with the A/D process.
Page 4
