NCCCO Mobile Crane Course Description

The Core Examination portion of the CCO certification program tests the following knowledge areas relating to the operation of mobile cranes: 

https://nccco.org/nccco/certifications/mobile-crane-operator/written-exam/core-exam-outline

Domain 1: Site
 (Approximately 20% of the test)

Domain 2: Operations
 (Approximately 26% of the test)

Domain 3: Technical Knowledge
 (Approximately 28% of the test)

Domain 4: Manufacturers’ Load Charts
 (Approximately 26% of the test)

DOMAIN 1: SITE

(Approximately 20% of the test)

  1. Understand elements that affect ground stability:
    1. Below surface (e.g., voids, tanks, loose fill)
    2. On surface (e.g., retaining walls, slopes, excavations, depressions)
    3. Boom position
  2. Know the proper use of supporting materials (e.g., mats, blocking/cribbing).
  3. Know electric power line hazards during assembly/disassembly.
  4. Know the requirements to travel without load.
  5. Know how to identify and evaluate hazards concerning:
  1. Access to job site
  2. In-transit clearances
  3. Pinch/crush points
  4. Personnel
  1. Know the responsibilities of the controlling entity concerning site conditions.
  2. Know how to review lift requirements with site supervision.

DOMAIN 2: OPERATIONS

(Approximately 26% of the test)

  1. Know how to inspect the crane for unsafe conditions.
  2. Know personnel safety requirements during crane inspections.
  3. Know how to level the crane.
  4. Know how to obtain dimensions, weight, and center of gravity of the load.
  5. Know how to verify the radius.
  6. Know electric power line hazards during operations.
  7. Know wire rope:
    1. Reeving
    2. Parts of line
  8. Know types of signals:
  1. Hand signals
  2. Voice/radio signals
  3. Audible signals
  4. New or non-standard signals
  5. Know the requirements for:
    1. Multi-crane lifts
    2. Suspended personnel platforms
    3. Duty cycle operations
    4. Barge operations
    5. Multi-drum operations
  1. Know the effects of lifting loads from beneath the surface of the water.
  2. Know the requirements and procedures for when load is not in full view of the operator.
  3. Know the requirements of tag lines.
  4. Know how to react to:
  1. Block and line twisting
  2. Personnel in fall zone
  3. Know the use/function of the following operator aids:
    1. Load moment indicator, load moment limiter, load weighing devices
    2. Anti–two block devices
    3. Boom angle indicator
    4. Wind indicator
    5. Drum rotation indicators
    6. Radius indicators
  1. Know alternative operating procedures when operator aids malfunction.
  2. Know the use/function of the following safety devices:
  1. Horn
  2. Level indicator
  3. Know emergency procedures for:
    1. Electric power line contact
    2. Loss of stability
    3. Control malfunction
    4. Carrier or travel malfunction
    5. Two-blocking
    6. Overloading
    7. Fires
  4. Know the effects of dynamic loading from:
    1. Shock loading
    2. Moving loads
  1. Know the effect of side loading.
  2. Know the effects of operating in various weather conditions (e.g., wind, temperature, wave action)
  3. Understand the condition where backward stability presents limitations.
  4. Know how to use the manufacturer-approved attachments and their effect on the crane’s operation.
  5. Know operator’s authority to stop operations.
  6. Know how to shut down and secure the crane when leaving it unattended.

DOMAIN 3: TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

(Approximately 28% of the test)

  1. Know current federal regulations and industry standards, including but not limited to ASME B30.5, B30.10, OSHA 1910.180, 1926 Subpart CC.
  2. Know basic crane terminology and definitions.
  3. Know functions and limitations of cranes and attachments.
  4. Know the inspection requirements for:
    1. Shift inspections
    2. Monthly inspections
    3. Annual inspections
    4. Notifying supervision of inspection deficiencies
  5. Know basic procedures for rigging devices and their use, such as slings, softeners, lifting beams, and shackles.
  6. Know basic procedures for termination of wire rope.
  7. Know the proper use of hook blocks and overhaul balls.
  8. Know wire rope:
  1. Types and designations of wire rope and their application
  2. Replacement criteria and inspection procedures of running ropes
  3. Maintenance and lubrication
  1. Know relationship between line pull and safe working load of running ropes.
  2. Know protective measures against electrical hazards and their limitations.
  3. Know the significance of the instruments and gauge readings.
  4. Know requirements for fall protection.
  5. Know requirements for access and egress of the crane.

DOMAIN 4: MANUFACTURERS’ LOAD CHARTS

(Approximately 26% of the test)

  1. Know the terminology necessary to use load charts.
  2. Demonstrate basic math skills without the use of a calculator.
  3. Know how to ensure that the load chart is the appropriate chart for the machine in its particular application.
  4. Know how to use load charts, including:
    1. The difference between capacity limited by stability and factors other than stability
    2. The range diagram
    3. The work area chart
    4. “Parts-of-line” information

The Specialty Examinations for the CCO certification program test the following knowledge areas relating to the operation of each of these types of cranes:

https://nccco.org/nccco/certifications/mobile-crane-operator/written-exam/specialty-exam-outline

  • Lattice Boom Truck Cranes (LBT)
  • Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes (LBC)
  • Telescopic Boom Cranes – Swing Cab (TLL)
  • Telescopic Boom Cranes – Fixed Cab (TSS)

Each Specialty Exam only contains questions relevant to cranes within that specialty area. For example, questions about lattice booms will appear on LBT and LBC exams, but will NOT appear on TLL or TSS exams.

Domain 1: Site
(Approximately 23% of the test)

Domain 2: Operations
(Approximately 23% of the test)

Domain 3: Technical Knowledge
(Approximately 19% of the test)

Domain 4: Manufacturers’ Load Charts
(Approximately 35% of the test)

DOMAIN 1: SITE

(Approximately 23% of the test)

  1. Know the proper use of supporting materials (e.g., mats, blocking/cribbing)
  2. Know proper boom assembly and disassembly procedures:

a. Lattice booms
 b. Telescopic booms
 c. Extensions/jibs

  1. Know how to properly use:

a. Outriggers/stabilizers
 b. Crawlers

  1. Know how to use outrigger position indicators/sensors.

DOMAIN 2: OPERATIONS

(Approximately 23% of the test)

  1. Know how to operate a crane:

a. Stationary on rubber tires
 b. On outriggers
 c. Stationary on crawlers

  1. Know how to pick and carry:

a. On rubber
 b. On crawlers

  1. Know how to shut down and secure the crane properly when leaving it unattended:

a. Lattice boom cranes
 b. Telescopic boom cranes

  1. Know the use/function of the following operator aids:

a. Boom length indicators
 b. Boom hoist limiting devices
 c. Luffing jib limiting devices

  1. Know the use/function of the following safety devices:

a. Boom stops
 b. Brake locks
 c. Jib stops

  1. Know power flow systems.
  2. Know the procedures when approaching two-blocking for:

a. Telescopic boom cranes
 b. Lattice boom cranes

DOMAIN 3: TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

(Approximately 19% of the test)

  1. Know basic crane terminology and definitions specific to different crane types.
  2. Know functions and limitations and attachments specific to different crane types.
  3. Know wire rope replacement criteria and inspection procedures (standing ropes)

DOMAIN 4: MANUFACTURERS’ LOAD CHARTS

(Approximately 35% of the test)

  1. Understand different elements of load charts:

a. Apply load chart notes
 b. Specifications
 c. Range diagram
 d. Work area diagram
 e. Boom/jib erection charts
 f. Rated capacity charts

  1. Understand and apply manufacturers’ load charts given various configurations:

a. Determining maximum radius for load placement
 b. Determining gross capacity
 c. Determining net capacity

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