CIC CRANE OPERATOR AND RIGGER COMBINED
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. What is the primary purpose of conducting a pre-operational inspection of
a crane?
A. To ensure fuel levels are adequate
B. To identify any defects or hazards before use
C. To check the speed of operation
D. To report hours of operation
Rationale: A pre-operational inspection ensures the crane is in safe working
condition and helps prevent accidents caused by mechanical failure.
2. Who is responsible for determining the weight of the load before lifting?
A. Signalperson
B. Site supervisor
C. Crane operator
D. Safety manager
Rationale: The crane operator must know the weight of the load to determine
whether the lift is within the crane's capacity.
3. When must a signalperson be used?
,A. When the operator can see the load
B. When the operator's view is obstructed
C. Only during night operations
D. Only when lifting over 10 tons
Rationale: OSHA requires a signalperson when the crane operator’s view is
obstructed or if site safety requires it.
4. What does a load chart provide?
A. Daily maintenance schedule
B. Maximum allowable load capacities at various boom lengths and radii
C. Weather-related shutdown criteria
D. Operator certification details
Rationale: Load charts detail the lifting capacity of the crane depending on
boom length, angle, and load radius.
5. What does the term "D/d ratio" refer to in rigging?
A. Distance of travel to drum rotation
B. Diameter of the load to diameter of the rope
C. Depth of load divided by drop height
D. None of the above
Rationale: The D/d ratio compares the diameter of the load or sheave to the
diameter of the rope and affects rope stress.
6. What should be done if a rigging sling has a missing or illegible
identification tag?
,A. Use it only for light loads
B. Remove it from service immediately
C. Use it if it's less than a year old
D. Ask the supervisor to estimate capacity
Rationale: Slings without legible tags must be removed from service per OSHA
and ASME standards.
7. Which hand signal indicates “Hoist”?
A. Thumb down motion
B. Closed fist with forearm vertically upward and hand moving in small circles
C. Palm down, move arm back and forth horizontally
D. Hand on head
Rationale: The standard hoist signal is an arm motion with a closed fist and
hand moving in circles.
8. What is the most important factor in preventing crane tipping?
A. Engine size
B. Load radius and crane capacity
C. Length of the load
D. Type of hoist line used
Rationale: Crane tipping risk increases with load radius; always refer to the load
chart to stay within safe limits.
9. What is the effect of increasing the boom length on lifting capacity?
A. Increases capacity
B. Decreases capacity
, C. Has no effect
D. Doubles the capacity
Rationale: As boom length increases, lifting capacity typically decreases due to
leverage and reduced stability.
10.What is required when multiple cranes are used to lift a single load?
A. Longer slings
B. A stronger rigger
C. A critical lift plan and designated lift director
D. Extra signalpersons
Rationale: Multi-crane lifts are complex and require detailed planning and
coordination led by a designated lift director.
11.When inspecting wire rope, which of the following is a reason to remove it
from service?
A. Surface rust
B. Six broken wires in one lay length
C. Slight flattening
D. Minor discoloration
Rationale: Six or more broken wires in one lay length is grounds for removing
wire rope per OSHA and ASME standards.
12.A crane’s load radius is measured from:
A. Boom tip to the load center
B. Center of rotation to the center of gravity of the load
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. What is the primary purpose of conducting a pre-operational inspection of
a crane?
A. To ensure fuel levels are adequate
B. To identify any defects or hazards before use
C. To check the speed of operation
D. To report hours of operation
Rationale: A pre-operational inspection ensures the crane is in safe working
condition and helps prevent accidents caused by mechanical failure.
2. Who is responsible for determining the weight of the load before lifting?
A. Signalperson
B. Site supervisor
C. Crane operator
D. Safety manager
Rationale: The crane operator must know the weight of the load to determine
whether the lift is within the crane's capacity.
3. When must a signalperson be used?
,A. When the operator can see the load
B. When the operator's view is obstructed
C. Only during night operations
D. Only when lifting over 10 tons
Rationale: OSHA requires a signalperson when the crane operator’s view is
obstructed or if site safety requires it.
4. What does a load chart provide?
A. Daily maintenance schedule
B. Maximum allowable load capacities at various boom lengths and radii
C. Weather-related shutdown criteria
D. Operator certification details
Rationale: Load charts detail the lifting capacity of the crane depending on
boom length, angle, and load radius.
5. What does the term "D/d ratio" refer to in rigging?
A. Distance of travel to drum rotation
B. Diameter of the load to diameter of the rope
C. Depth of load divided by drop height
D. None of the above
Rationale: The D/d ratio compares the diameter of the load or sheave to the
diameter of the rope and affects rope stress.
6. What should be done if a rigging sling has a missing or illegible
identification tag?
,A. Use it only for light loads
B. Remove it from service immediately
C. Use it if it's less than a year old
D. Ask the supervisor to estimate capacity
Rationale: Slings without legible tags must be removed from service per OSHA
and ASME standards.
7. Which hand signal indicates “Hoist”?
A. Thumb down motion
B. Closed fist with forearm vertically upward and hand moving in small circles
C. Palm down, move arm back and forth horizontally
D. Hand on head
Rationale: The standard hoist signal is an arm motion with a closed fist and
hand moving in circles.
8. What is the most important factor in preventing crane tipping?
A. Engine size
B. Load radius and crane capacity
C. Length of the load
D. Type of hoist line used
Rationale: Crane tipping risk increases with load radius; always refer to the load
chart to stay within safe limits.
9. What is the effect of increasing the boom length on lifting capacity?
A. Increases capacity
B. Decreases capacity
, C. Has no effect
D. Doubles the capacity
Rationale: As boom length increases, lifting capacity typically decreases due to
leverage and reduced stability.
10.What is required when multiple cranes are used to lift a single load?
A. Longer slings
B. A stronger rigger
C. A critical lift plan and designated lift director
D. Extra signalpersons
Rationale: Multi-crane lifts are complex and require detailed planning and
coordination led by a designated lift director.
11.When inspecting wire rope, which of the following is a reason to remove it
from service?
A. Surface rust
B. Six broken wires in one lay length
C. Slight flattening
D. Minor discoloration
Rationale: Six or more broken wires in one lay length is grounds for removing
wire rope per OSHA and ASME standards.
12.A crane’s load radius is measured from:
A. Boom tip to the load center
B. Center of rotation to the center of gravity of the load
