Safety, Hazards, and Emergency Procedures
Safety questions test hazard recognition and emergency response. Key hazards include power lines (maintain required clearance, use a spotter, and assume lines are energized), wind (affects boom and load, can cause backward tipping after load release), ground failure, overloading, two-blocking, pinch points, swing radius, and personnel under loads. Candidates should know that the crane's swing area and counterweight tail swing are exclusion zones.
Emergency procedures include stopping the lift, lowering the load if safe, shutting down per the manual, and reporting. If a power line contact occurs, the operator should stay in the cab and warn others away unless fire forces evacuation; if evacuation is necessary, jump clear and shuffle away. Never touch the crane and ground simultaneously. Fire response: use the extinguisher, shut off fuel, and evacuate. If a load is dropped or a rigging failure occurs, secure the area and do not move the crane until inspected.
Traps include assuming rubber tires or mats insulate the crane (they do not), using the crane to drag or side-pull loads, and exceeding wind limits stated in the manual. Also know that personnel must never ride the load or the hook, and that tag lines should be used from outside the swing radius.
Worked rule of thumb: treat every power line as energized and maintain the required clearance; if contact occurs, stay put, warn others, and call for help.