NCCCO Digger Derrick Operator
Written Practice Exam Fall 2026| 250
Most Tested Questions Collection &
Verified Detailed Answers With
Rationales| Tutor Verified Success
Exam) Graded A+
General Knowledge and Operator Responsibilities
1. What is the primary responsibility of a digger derrick operator
before beginning a lift?
A. Increase engine speed
B. Verify the equipment and work area are safe for the
planned operation
C. Remove all warning labels
D. Disable the load moment system
The operator must evaluate the machine, site, configuration,
load, and hazards before operating.
2. Which document is most important for determining the rated
capacity of a particular digger derrick configuration?
A. Fuel receipt
B. Maintenance invoice
C. Manufacturer's load chart
D. Operator's time sheet
The manufacturer's load chart provides capacity information for
specified configurations and operating conditions.
3. Who should normally be responsible for operating the digger
derrick controls?
A. Any worker nearby
, B. The signal person
C. A qualified and authorized operator
D. The truck driver regardless of qualification
Operation should be performed only by a properly trained,
qualified, and authorized person.
4. What should an operator do if the manufacturer's operating
instructions are unavailable?
A. Guess the machine's capacity
B. Use the capacity of a similar machine
C. Obtain the applicable manufacturer's information before
operating
D. Operate only at maximum radius
Critical operating information should not be guessed or
substituted with information from another machine.
5. Why is understanding the machine's configuration important?
A. It determines paint color
B. It determines fuel type only
C. Capacity and operating limitations can change with
configuration
D. It eliminates the need for inspections
Boom length, extensions, outriggers, attachments, and other
configuration factors can affect capacity.
6. Which condition should cause an operator to stop operation
immediately?
A. Normal engine noise
B. Clean hydraulic oil
C. A condition that creates an unsafe operating situation
D. A fully charged battery
Unsafe conditions must be corrected before operation
continues.
,7. What is the purpose of an operator's manual?
A. To provide employee payroll information
B. To provide manufacturer-specific operating, inspection, and
safety information
C. To replace the load chart
D. To establish weather forecasts
The manual contains essential information specific to the
equipment.
8. What should an operator do when uncertain about a machine's
capacity?
A. Estimate the capacity
B. Use the highest capacity listed anywhere on the machine
C. Stop and verify the applicable capacity information
D. Ask a nearby laborer to decide
Capacity must be established from reliable information before
lifting.
9. Why should unauthorized modifications to a digger derrick be
avoided?
A. They always improve capacity
B. They reduce paperwork
C. They can affect structural integrity and rated capacity
D. They eliminate inspection requirements
Modifications can change how loads and forces are transmitted
through the equipment.
10. What is the best general rule concerning rated capacity?
A. It may be exceeded briefly
B. It applies only to the boom
C. It must not be exceeded
D. It can be ignored when the load is balanced
Rated capacity represents an established limit for the applicable
configuration and conditions.
, Section 2: Pre-Operational Inspection
11. When should a digger derrick receive a required
inspection?
A. Only after an accident
B. Only once per year
C. As required by applicable rules, the manufacturer, and the
employer's inspection program
D. Only when the operator changes
Inspection frequency depends on applicable requirements and
equipment-specific instructions.
12. What should be checked on wire rope during an
inspection?
A. Paint color only
B. Broken wires, abrasion, corrosion, deformation, and other
damage
C. Fuel level
D. Tire pressure only
Wire rope condition directly affects lifting safety.
13. What should an operator do if a critical component is
found damaged?
A. Hide the damage
B. Continue until the end of the shift
C. Report it and remove the equipment from service when
required
D. Increase operating speed
Defective safety-critical equipment must be addressed before
continued operation.
14. Why are hydraulic hoses inspected?
A. To determine tire size
B. To identify leaks, abrasion, damage, and deterioration
C. To calculate boom radius
Written Practice Exam Fall 2026| 250
Most Tested Questions Collection &
Verified Detailed Answers With
Rationales| Tutor Verified Success
Exam) Graded A+
General Knowledge and Operator Responsibilities
1. What is the primary responsibility of a digger derrick operator
before beginning a lift?
A. Increase engine speed
B. Verify the equipment and work area are safe for the
planned operation
C. Remove all warning labels
D. Disable the load moment system
The operator must evaluate the machine, site, configuration,
load, and hazards before operating.
2. Which document is most important for determining the rated
capacity of a particular digger derrick configuration?
A. Fuel receipt
B. Maintenance invoice
C. Manufacturer's load chart
D. Operator's time sheet
The manufacturer's load chart provides capacity information for
specified configurations and operating conditions.
3. Who should normally be responsible for operating the digger
derrick controls?
A. Any worker nearby
, B. The signal person
C. A qualified and authorized operator
D. The truck driver regardless of qualification
Operation should be performed only by a properly trained,
qualified, and authorized person.
4. What should an operator do if the manufacturer's operating
instructions are unavailable?
A. Guess the machine's capacity
B. Use the capacity of a similar machine
C. Obtain the applicable manufacturer's information before
operating
D. Operate only at maximum radius
Critical operating information should not be guessed or
substituted with information from another machine.
5. Why is understanding the machine's configuration important?
A. It determines paint color
B. It determines fuel type only
C. Capacity and operating limitations can change with
configuration
D. It eliminates the need for inspections
Boom length, extensions, outriggers, attachments, and other
configuration factors can affect capacity.
6. Which condition should cause an operator to stop operation
immediately?
A. Normal engine noise
B. Clean hydraulic oil
C. A condition that creates an unsafe operating situation
D. A fully charged battery
Unsafe conditions must be corrected before operation
continues.
,7. What is the purpose of an operator's manual?
A. To provide employee payroll information
B. To provide manufacturer-specific operating, inspection, and
safety information
C. To replace the load chart
D. To establish weather forecasts
The manual contains essential information specific to the
equipment.
8. What should an operator do when uncertain about a machine's
capacity?
A. Estimate the capacity
B. Use the highest capacity listed anywhere on the machine
C. Stop and verify the applicable capacity information
D. Ask a nearby laborer to decide
Capacity must be established from reliable information before
lifting.
9. Why should unauthorized modifications to a digger derrick be
avoided?
A. They always improve capacity
B. They reduce paperwork
C. They can affect structural integrity and rated capacity
D. They eliminate inspection requirements
Modifications can change how loads and forces are transmitted
through the equipment.
10. What is the best general rule concerning rated capacity?
A. It may be exceeded briefly
B. It applies only to the boom
C. It must not be exceeded
D. It can be ignored when the load is balanced
Rated capacity represents an established limit for the applicable
configuration and conditions.
, Section 2: Pre-Operational Inspection
11. When should a digger derrick receive a required
inspection?
A. Only after an accident
B. Only once per year
C. As required by applicable rules, the manufacturer, and the
employer's inspection program
D. Only when the operator changes
Inspection frequency depends on applicable requirements and
equipment-specific instructions.
12. What should be checked on wire rope during an
inspection?
A. Paint color only
B. Broken wires, abrasion, corrosion, deformation, and other
damage
C. Fuel level
D. Tire pressure only
Wire rope condition directly affects lifting safety.
13. What should an operator do if a critical component is
found damaged?
A. Hide the damage
B. Continue until the end of the shift
C. Report it and remove the equipment from service when
required
D. Increase operating speed
Defective safety-critical equipment must be addressed before
continued operation.
14. Why are hydraulic hoses inspected?
A. To determine tire size
B. To identify leaks, abrasion, damage, and deterioration
C. To calculate boom radius
