NCCCO Rigger Level I Certification Questions and
Answers with Rationale Latest Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
According to ASME B30.9, what is the minimum design safety
factor required for synthetic web slings used in rigging
operations?
A. 3 to 1
B. 4 to 1
C. 5 to 1
D. 10 to 1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ASME B30.9 specifies a minimum design safety
factor of 5 to 1 for synthetic web slings to ensure adequate
strength margin against dynamic handling forces and wear.
Question 2
When using a multi-leg sling, what happens to the tension in
each individual leg as the angle of the sling legs decreases
relative to the horizontal (i.e., as the sling angle becomes
shallower)?
A. Tension in each leg decreases.
, B. Tension in each leg remains constant regardless of the
angle.
C. Tension in each leg increases significantly.
D. Tension transfers entirely to the master link.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: As sling angles decrease (steeper horizontal angle),
the sling legs must bear a higher geometric multiplier of the
load's weight, drastically increasing leg tension.
Question 3
What is the correct method for installing a wire rope clip (U-bolt
style) onto a wire rope eye termination?
A. Place the U-bolt section on the live end and the saddle on
the dead end.
B. Place the saddle on the live end and the U-bolt on the dead
end ("Never saddle a dead horse").
C. Alternate the saddle and U-bolt randomly on every other
clip.
D. Face all U-bolts toward the center of the loop.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The saddle must always bear against the live, load-
bearing portion of the rope, while the U-bolt clamps the dead
end. Placing a U-bolt on the live end crushes and damages the
load-bearing strands.
,Question 4
What is the primary operational advantage of using a basket
hitch over a vertical hitch with a synthetic web sling?
A. It increases the sling's rated lifting capacity (up to double
the vertical rating when legs are vertical).
B. It allows the sling to grip sharp edges without protection.
C. It reduces the need to inspect rigging hardware.
D. It eliminates the requirement for a master link.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A basket hitch supports the load using two legs of
the sling, effectively doubling the vertical lifting capacity when
the sling legs are pulled straight up vertically.
Question 5
When inspecting a forged alloy steel shackle, what does the
presence of a flattened or worn section on the bow or pin
indicate?
A. The shackle is properly broken in.
B. The shackle has experienced wear, overloading, or friction
and must be evaluated against ASME discard criteria or
removed from service.
C. The shackle's working load limit has doubled.
D. The pin threads are lubricated.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wear, stretching, or localized flattening reduces the
cross-sectional metallic area of the shackle, compromising its
structural integrity and working load limit.
Question 6
What is the standard design safety factor required for alloy steel
chain slings per ASME B30.9?
A. 3 to 1
B. 4 to 1
C. 5 to 1
D. 10 to 1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alloy steel chain slings used for overhead lifting and
rigging maintain a standard design safety factor of 5 to 1.
Question 7
Why is it critical to use softeners or corner protectors when
rigging loads with sharp edges?
A. To make the lift look neat.
B. To prevent the high localized clamping tension from
cutting, shearing, or crushing synthetic slings and wire
ropes.
Answers with Rationale Latest Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
According to ASME B30.9, what is the minimum design safety
factor required for synthetic web slings used in rigging
operations?
A. 3 to 1
B. 4 to 1
C. 5 to 1
D. 10 to 1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ASME B30.9 specifies a minimum design safety
factor of 5 to 1 for synthetic web slings to ensure adequate
strength margin against dynamic handling forces and wear.
Question 2
When using a multi-leg sling, what happens to the tension in
each individual leg as the angle of the sling legs decreases
relative to the horizontal (i.e., as the sling angle becomes
shallower)?
A. Tension in each leg decreases.
, B. Tension in each leg remains constant regardless of the
angle.
C. Tension in each leg increases significantly.
D. Tension transfers entirely to the master link.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: As sling angles decrease (steeper horizontal angle),
the sling legs must bear a higher geometric multiplier of the
load's weight, drastically increasing leg tension.
Question 3
What is the correct method for installing a wire rope clip (U-bolt
style) onto a wire rope eye termination?
A. Place the U-bolt section on the live end and the saddle on
the dead end.
B. Place the saddle on the live end and the U-bolt on the dead
end ("Never saddle a dead horse").
C. Alternate the saddle and U-bolt randomly on every other
clip.
D. Face all U-bolts toward the center of the loop.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The saddle must always bear against the live, load-
bearing portion of the rope, while the U-bolt clamps the dead
end. Placing a U-bolt on the live end crushes and damages the
load-bearing strands.
,Question 4
What is the primary operational advantage of using a basket
hitch over a vertical hitch with a synthetic web sling?
A. It increases the sling's rated lifting capacity (up to double
the vertical rating when legs are vertical).
B. It allows the sling to grip sharp edges without protection.
C. It reduces the need to inspect rigging hardware.
D. It eliminates the requirement for a master link.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A basket hitch supports the load using two legs of
the sling, effectively doubling the vertical lifting capacity when
the sling legs are pulled straight up vertically.
Question 5
When inspecting a forged alloy steel shackle, what does the
presence of a flattened or worn section on the bow or pin
indicate?
A. The shackle is properly broken in.
B. The shackle has experienced wear, overloading, or friction
and must be evaluated against ASME discard criteria or
removed from service.
C. The shackle's working load limit has doubled.
D. The pin threads are lubricated.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wear, stretching, or localized flattening reduces the
cross-sectional metallic area of the shackle, compromising its
structural integrity and working load limit.
Question 6
What is the standard design safety factor required for alloy steel
chain slings per ASME B30.9?
A. 3 to 1
B. 4 to 1
C. 5 to 1
D. 10 to 1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alloy steel chain slings used for overhead lifting and
rigging maintain a standard design safety factor of 5 to 1.
Question 7
Why is it critical to use softeners or corner protectors when
rigging loads with sharp edges?
A. To make the lift look neat.
B. To prevent the high localized clamping tension from
cutting, shearing, or crushing synthetic slings and wire
ropes.
