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NCCCO Rigger Level I study materials
NCCCO Rigger Level I study resources

NCCCO Rigger Level I practice questions

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Question 1Inspect rigging before use

Before a wire rope sling is placed in service, the rigger should inspect it primarily to confirm that it is free of conditions that could do what?

  1. Reduce its rated capacity or cause failure under load Correct answer.
  2. Change the color of the identification tag
  3. Alter the load's weight
  4. Increase the load's center of gravity

Explanation

A pre-use inspection looks for damage or defects that reduce a sling's strength or that could cause sudden failure under load. Cosmetic and load-weight issues are unrelated to sling integrity.

Question 2Inspect rigging before use

A rigger finds a wire rope sling with several broken outer wires concentrated in one strand. What is the correct action?

  1. Use it at half the rated capacity
  2. Use it only for vertical lifts
  3. Remove it from service Correct answer.
  4. Tag it and reuse after one shift

Explanation

Broken wires reduce the strength of a wire rope sling, and clustered breaks in one strand are a removal criterion. Damaged slings must be taken out of service, not derated informally.

Question 3Inspect rigging before use

Which condition on a synthetic web sling most clearly requires removal from service?

  1. A faint crease from storage
  2. A cut or snag that exposes or severs load-bearing fibers Correct answer.
  3. A light dust coating
  4. A slightly faded identification tag

Explanation

Cuts and snags that damage load-bearing fibers reduce capacity and are removal criteria for web slings. Surface dust, fading tags, and storage creases do not affect strength.

Question 4Inspect rigging before use

When inspecting a chain sling before use, the rigger should look specifically for which of the following?

  1. Dirt inside the master link
  2. Fading paint on the tag
  3. Stretch, cracks, and gouges in the links Correct answer.
  4. Loose fibers at the end

Explanation

Chain slings are inspected for deformation such as stretch, plus cracks, gouges, and wear at link contact points. Loose fibers describe synthetic slings, and surface dirt or paint does not affect strength.

Question 5Inspect rigging before use

A shackle is being inspected before use. Which finding indicates it should be removed from service?

  1. A bent pin or elongated bow Correct answer.
  2. A manufacturer's stamp on the bow
  3. A slightly worn identification tag
  4. A lightly oiled pin thread

Explanation

Deformation such as a bent pin or stretched bow indicates the shackle has been overloaded and must be removed. Light oil, stamps, and tag wear do not affect structural integrity.

Question 6Inspect rigging before use

What does the rigger check to confirm a sling's rated capacity before use?

  1. The number of people on the crew
  2. The sling's identification tag or permanent marking Correct answer.
  3. The color of the sling's cover
  4. The weight of the load being lifted

Explanation

Rated capacity is established by the sling's tag or permanent marking, which the rigger must read and confirm before use. Color coding may assist but does not by itself establish capacity.

Question 7Inspect rigging before use

A rigger discovers the identification tag is missing from a web sling. What should be done?

  1. Use it for light loads only
  2. Remove it from service until capacity is verified Correct answer.
  3. Estimate capacity from the sling's width
  4. Attach a handwritten tag with an assumed rating

Explanation

A sling without a legible capacity tag cannot be safely rated and must be removed from service until capacity is verified. Guessing or self-tagging capacity is unsafe.

Question 8Inspect rigging before use

Which inspection finding on a synthetic round sling requires removal from service?

  1. A cover that is intact but dusty
  2. A burn or melt mark on the cover Correct answer.
  3. A small amount of surface lint
  4. A tag that is slightly curled

Explanation

Burns and melt marks indicate heat damage that can compromise the load-bearing fibers, so the sling must be removed. Lint, dust, and a curled tag do not affect strength.

Question 9Inspect rigging before use

Before use, hooks on slings and rigging hardware should be checked for which critical condition?

  1. A tag attached with wire
  2. A slightly dull finish
  3. A hook that is painted
  4. Twist or deformation of the hook body Correct answer.

Explanation

Hooks that are twisted, deformed, or have an excessive throat opening have been overloaded and must be removed. Finish, tagging method, and paint do not indicate loss of strength.

Question 10Inspect rigging before use

What is the purpose of a pre-use inspection of rigging hardware such as shackles, hooks, and links?

  1. To determine the exact weight of the load
  2. To confirm the hardware is free of defects that reduce capacity Correct answer.
  3. To calculate the load's center of gravity
  4. To select the color of the tag

Explanation

Pre-use inspection verifies that hardware is undamaged and can carry its rated load. Load weight and center of gravity are determined separately from hardware inspection.

Question 11Inspect rigging before use

A wire rope sling shows a kink with permanently distorted strands. Why must it be removed from service?

  1. Kinks and distortion reduce strength and can cause uneven loading Correct answer.
  2. Kinks increase the sling's rated capacity
  3. Kinks make the tag hard to read
  4. Kinks only affect the sling's appearance

Explanation

A kink that permanently distorts the strands indicates damage that reduces strength and can cause unequal load sharing. Such slings must be removed.

Question 12Inspect rigging before use

During inspection, a rigger notices a sling's protective cover is torn, exposing the core of a round sling. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Remove it from service Correct answer.
  2. Use it if the core looks clean
  3. Tape the cover and use it
  4. Use it only for choke hitches

Explanation

A torn cover exposing the core leaves load-bearing fibers unprotected and subject to damage; the sling should be removed from service. Taping or restricting hitch type does not restore protection.

Question 13Inspect rigging before use

Which of these is a correct practice when inspecting rigging before use?

  1. Inspect only the portion visible at the hook
  2. Inspect the entire length of each sling, including end fittings Correct answer.
  3. Rely on the previous shift's inspection
  4. Inspect only slings that look dirty

Explanation

The full length and all end fittings must be examined because damage can occur anywhere along a sling. Relying on prior inspections or inspecting only visible sections can miss defects.

Question 14Inspect rigging before use

A chain sling shows noticeable wear at the bearing points between links. Why does this matter?

  1. It improves flexibility of the chain
  2. It indicates the chain was recently cleaned
  3. It reduces link cross-section and therefore strength Correct answer.
  4. It shows the chain is the wrong grade

Explanation

Wear at bearing points reduces the cross-sectional area of the links, lowering the sling's strength. Significant wear is a removal criterion.

Question 15Inspect rigging before use

What should a rigger do if a shackle's pin cannot be fully threaded because the threads are damaged?

  1. Substitute a bolt of similar size
  2. Use the shackle without the pin seated
  3. Remove the shackle from service Correct answer.
  4. Force the pin with a wrench

Explanation

Damaged threads prevent the pin from seating fully, so the shackle cannot safely carry load and must be removed from service. Forcing the pin or substituting hardware is unsafe.

Question 16Inspect rigging before use

Which condition on a synthetic web sling indicates possible chemical damage?

  1. A clean, dry surface
  2. A neatly sewn tag
  3. A slightly loose stitch at the tag
  4. Stiff, brittle, or discolored fibers Correct answer.

Explanation

Stiffness, brittleness, or discoloration can indicate chemical attack that weakens synthetic fibers, requiring removal. A clean surface or tag stitching is not a strength concern.

Question 17Inspect rigging before use

Before use, the rigger should verify that the hardware's rated capacity does which of the following?

  1. Is less than the load weight
  2. Equals the sling's tag color code
  3. Exceeds the load to be lifted Correct answer.
  4. Matches the crane's boom length

Explanation

Rigging hardware must have a rated capacity that meets or exceeds the load it will carry. Color codes, boom length, and under-rating are not valid verification criteria.

Question 18Inspect rigging before use

A hook on a sling has an opening noticeably wider than when new. What does this indicate and what action is required?

  1. Improved hooking ability; continue use
  2. Overloading; remove from service Correct answer.
  3. Normal wear; continue use
  4. A manufacturing defect; return to stock

Explanation

An opened or spread hook throat indicates the hook has been overloaded and deformed, so it must be removed from service. Hook deformation is never normal wear.

Question 19Inspect rigging before use

Which of the following best describes when a pre-use rigging inspection should be performed?

  1. Only after a failure occurs
  2. Only when the rigging looks damaged
  3. Once per month
  4. Before each use of the rigging Correct answer.

Explanation

Pre-use inspection is performed before each use so defects are found before a lift. Periodic and post-incident inspections supplement but do not replace it.

Question 20Inspect rigging before use

A wire rope sling shows heavy corrosion and pitting along its length. What is the correct disposition?

  1. Remove it from service Correct answer.
  2. Oil it and continue use
  3. Use it for vertical lifts only
  4. Reduce the load by ten percent

Explanation

Corrosion and pitting reduce wire cross-section and strength, making the sling unfit for service. Oiling or informal derating does not restore capacity.

Question 21Inspect rigging before use

When inspecting a synthetic sling, why does the rigger check for ultraviolet or sunlight degradation?

  1. It improves the sling's stretch
  2. It makes the sling heavier
  3. It changes the sling's color only
  4. It can weaken synthetic fibers and reduce capacity Correct answer.

Explanation

Prolonged UV exposure can degrade synthetic fibers and reduce sling strength, so signs of degradation are a removal concern. Color change alone is not the issue, and UV does not add weight or improve stretch.

Question 22Inspect rigging before use

A rigger is inspecting end fittings on a wire rope sling. Which finding requires removal from service?

  1. A fitting with a manufacturer's mark
  2. A lightly oiled fitting
  3. A cracked or deformed thimble or fitting Correct answer.
  4. A tag attached with a wire tie

Explanation

Cracked or deformed end fittings compromise the sling's termination and require removal. Oil, tag attachment, and manufacturer marks are normal.

Question 23Inspect rigging before use

What is the primary reason rigging is inspected before each use rather than only periodically?

  1. Inspection is required only for new rigging
  2. Tags must be replaced each time
  3. Periodic inspections are not required
  4. Defects can develop between scheduled inspections Correct answer.

Explanation

Damage can occur between scheduled inspections, so each use requires a check to catch new defects. Periodic inspection is still required but does not replace pre-use checks.

Question 24Inspect rigging before use

A chain sling has a link with a visible crack. What is the correct action?

  1. Use it at reduced capacity
  2. Remove it from service Correct answer.
  3. Cover the crack with paint
  4. Weld the crack and use it

Explanation

A cracked link can fail suddenly under load and must be removed from service. Field welding or painting over cracks is unsafe and prohibited.

Question 25Inspect rigging before use

During a pre-use inspection, a rigger finds a sling with a legible tag showing capacity but a small area of normal surface wear on the cover. How should the rigger proceed?

  1. Remove it from service for any wear
  2. Cut off the worn area and use it
  3. Use it only for choker hitches
  4. Place it in service if wear does not expose or damage load-bearing fibers Correct answer.

Explanation

Normal surface wear that does not expose or damage load-bearing fibers does not by itself require removal. Altering the sling or restricting hitches is not appropriate.

Question 26Inspect rigging before use

Which document should a rigger consult to determine the original rated capacity of a specific sling before use?

  1. The operator's hand signal reference card
  2. The sling's identification tag or manufacturer's documentation Correct answer.
  3. The site's daily lift permit sign-off sheet
  4. The crane's load chart for the current boom configuration

Explanation

Rated capacity is established by the sling manufacturer and is conveyed to the user through the identification tag or accompanying documentation. The tag must be legible and match the sling being used.

Question 27Inspect rigging before use

A rigger is about to use a sling whose tag is present but illegible. What is the correct disposition?

  1. Remove it from service until capacity is confirmed Correct answer.
  2. Use it only for vertical lifts
  3. Mark the capacity on the tag by hand
  4. Use it at half of the estimated capacity

Explanation

A sling whose rated capacity cannot be verified cannot be safely used because the rigger cannot confirm it is adequate for the load. It must be set aside until the capacity is positively established.

Question 28Inspect rigging before use

Which condition on a shackle body requires the shackle to be removed from service?

  1. Light oil film on the pin threads
  2. A bend or distortion of the shackle body Correct answer.
  3. Minor paint scuffing on the bow
  4. Faint surface discoloration from handling

Explanation

Any visible bend, twist, or distortion of a shackle body indicates it has been overloaded or damaged and it no longer has predictable strength. Such hardware must be removed from service.

Question 29Inspect rigging before use

When inspecting a chain sling, what does a gouge or nick at a link's bearing point most directly reduce?

  1. The flexibility of the chain assembly
  2. The legible stamping on the master link
  3. The color coding of the chain
  4. The link's cross-sectional area and strength Correct answer.

Explanation

Wear, nicks, and gouges at bearing points remove metal and reduce the cross-sectional area that carries the load. Sufficient loss of material lowers the link's strength below its rated value.

Question 30Inspect rigging before use

What is the correct action when a rigger finds a hook whose throat opening has spread wider than the manufacturer's limit?

  1. Use it for light loads only
  2. Attach a second hook to share the load
  3. Close the hook with a hammer and use it
  4. Tag it out of service and remove it Correct answer.

Explanation

A hook that has spread has been overloaded or deformed, and its strength and load retention are no longer assured. It must be removed from service rather than repaired in the field.

Question 31Inspect rigging before use

Before use, the rigger should confirm that rigging hardware is marked with which information?

  1. Date of last paint application
  2. Name of the crane operator
  3. Weight of the crane's counterweight
  4. Rated load or working load limit Correct answer.

Explanation

Hardware must be marked by the manufacturer with its rated load or working load limit so the rigger can confirm it is adequate for the intended lift. Unmarked hardware cannot be verified.

Question 32Inspect rigging before use

A wire rope sling is found with broken outer wires grouped closely together in one area. What does this finding indicate?

  1. A condition that improves flexibility
  2. Localized deterioration that requires removal from service Correct answer.
  3. Normal break-in of a new sling
  4. A cosmetic effect of the galvanizing

Explanation

Clustered broken wires indicate localized deterioration and loss of strength in that section of the rope. Removal criteria are based on the number and concentration of broken wires.

Question 33Inspect rigging before use

Why does a rigger inspect the splice or termination on a wire rope sling before use?

  1. To verify the termination has not slipped or pulled apart Correct answer.
  2. To confirm the rope's color code is current
  3. To confirm the sling was made in the current year
  4. To check that the rope is the correct length

Explanation

Terminations carry the full load of the sling, and a slipped or damaged splice can fail suddenly. Inspecting it confirms the load path is intact.

Question 34Inspect rigging before use

A synthetic web sling shows a patch of stiff, brittle fabric with a stiff feel and a distinct odor. What is the most likely cause?

  1. Normal dye lot variation
  2. Ordinary surface dust
  3. Exposure to clean water
  4. Chemical contamination Correct answer.

Explanation

Stiffening, brittleness, and unusual odor in synthetic webbing commonly indicate chemical attack, which can severely reduce strength. The sling should be removed from service.

Question 35Inspect rigging before use

During inspection a rigger finds a synthetic round sling with a fused or melted spot on the cover. What is the correct disposition?

  1. Use it only in a basket hitch
  2. Cover the spot with tape and use it
  3. Remove it from service Correct answer.
  4. Return it to service if the spot is small

Explanation

Heat or friction damage can melt or fuse synthetic fibers, destroying their strength even where the damage looks small. Any melted or fused area is a removal criterion.

Question 36Inspect rigging before use

What is the primary reason a rigger inspects rigging at the start of each shift rather than relying only on periodic inspections?

  1. To record the sling's purchase price
  2. To confirm the rigging matches the site's paint scheme
  3. To satisfy the crane's maintenance schedule
  4. To catch damage that occurred since the last inspection Correct answer.

Explanation

Rigging can be damaged between periodic inspections by the previous lift, transport, or storage. Frequent pre-use inspection catches new damage before it is loaded.

Question 37Inspect rigging before use

A rigger finds a shackle whose pin is bent and cannot be fully seated. What is the correct action?

  1. Use the shackle with the pin partly engaged
  2. Substitute a bolt of similar diameter
  3. Tighten the pin with a wrench until it seats
  4. Remove the shackle from service Correct answer.

Explanation

A bent pin cannot fully engage the shackle body, so the assembly cannot carry its rated load. The shackle must be removed from service, and substituting hardware is not permitted.

Question 38Inspect rigging before use

When inspecting a chain sling, which finding is a removal-from-service criterion?

  1. Normal surface oxidation that wipes off
  2. A legible capacity tag attached to the master link
  3. A link stretched so that it no longer matches the pitch of adjacent links Correct answer.
  4. A light film of lubricant on the links

Explanation

A link that has stretched or elongated has been overloaded and has permanently deformed, so the chain no longer has predictable strength. Stretch is a removal criterion.

Question 39Inspect rigging before use

A wire rope sling shows a kink where strands are permanently displaced and the rope diameter is reduced at that point. Why is this a removal criterion?

  1. It creates a weak point and disturbs load sharing among strands Correct answer.
  2. It changes the rope's color
  3. It shortens the sling's overall length
  4. It makes the sling easier to handle

Explanation

A kink with permanently displaced strands means the rope's structure is distorted, so strands no longer share load evenly and a weak point exists. The sling must be removed from service.

Question 40Inspect rigging before use

Before use, what should the rigger confirm about the attachment point on the load itself?

  1. That it is painted the same color as the sling
  2. That it was installed by the crane operator
  3. That it is sound and adequate for the intended load Correct answer.
  4. That it is located at the load's center of gravity

Explanation

The load's attachment point must be strong enough and in sound condition to accept the load, or the lift can fail regardless of sling condition. The rigger verifies the point as part of the pre-use check.

Question 41Inspect rigging before use

A rigger is inspecting a synthetic sling and finds a broken stitch in the load-bearing splice area. What does this indicate?

  1. The splice may be failing and the sling should be removed Correct answer.
  2. The stitch is decorative and can be ignored
  3. The sling is new and unused
  4. The sling should be used at reduced capacity

Explanation

Stitching in a splice carries or secures the load path; broken stitching in that area suggests the splice is coming apart. The sling must be removed from service rather than derated.

Question 42Inspect rigging before use

Which inspection finding on a master link or end link of a chain sling requires the assembly to be removed from service?

  1. A slight sheen from recent lubrication
  2. A small amount of dust in the link opening
  3. A capacity tag that is clean and legible
  4. A crack visible at the weld or shoulder Correct answer.

Explanation

A crack in a master link or end link can propagate and cause sudden failure of the entire assembly. Cracks are always a removal criterion.

Question 43Inspect rigging before use

A rigger finds a hook with a missing or broken latch (safety clip). How should this be handled?

  1. Use the hook if the load is below half capacity
  2. Remove the hook from service until the latch is replaced Correct answer.
  3. Tie the load with wire to keep it in the hook
  4. Use the hook only for vertical lifts

Explanation

A functioning latch keeps the load from slipping out of the hook, and a missing or broken latch is a defect. The hook must be removed from service until the latch is properly replaced.

Question 44Inspect rigging before use

A rigger is choosing between two shackles of the same size, one marked with its rated load and one unmarked. What is the correct decision?

  1. Use the unmarked one because size determines capacity
  2. Use the unmarked one only for light loads
  3. Use the marked one because its capacity can be verified Correct answer.
  4. Use either one because both are the same size

Explanation

Only marked hardware has a manufacturer-verified rating the rigger can compare to the load. Same size does not guarantee the same material or rating.

Question 45Inspect rigging before use

A synthetic web sling has a tag showing capacity, but a section of webbing is faded and has a powdery surface. What is the most likely cause and the correct action?

  1. Ultraviolet degradation; remove from service Correct answer.
  2. Normal wear; return to service
  3. Water staining; dry and use
  4. Paint overspray; wipe and use

Explanation

Fading with a powdery surface on synthetic webbing is characteristic of ultraviolet degradation, which breaks down the fibers and reduces strength. The sling must be removed from service.

Question 46Inspect rigging before use

A rigger inspects a wire rope sling and finds the rope has a birdcage (strands forced outward from the core). What is the correct disposition?

  1. Return it to service if the outer strands look intact
  2. Shorten the sling to bypass the birdcage
  3. Remove it from service Correct answer.
  4. Use it only in a choker hitch

Explanation

A birdcage shows the rope's structure has been disturbed and the core and strands no longer share load as designed. It is a removal criterion regardless of outward appearance.

Question 47Inspect rigging before use

Two chain slings look identical, but one has a tag showing a lower working load limit than the other. What is the most likely explanation a rigger should consider?

  1. The lower-rated chain has a smaller link size or different grade Correct answer.
  2. The tag on the lower-rated chain is always wrong
  3. Chain capacity depends only on the number of legs
  4. The higher-rated chain is always newer

Explanation

Working load limit depends on link size, chain grade, and configuration, so visually similar chains can have different ratings. The rigger must rely on the tag and verify it matches the chain.

Question 48Inspect rigging before use

A rigger finds a synthetic round sling whose cover is intact but whose core feels lumpy and uneven along its length. What does this indicate?

  1. The core fibers may be damaged or bunched, so remove it from service Correct answer.
  2. The sling should be used at reduced capacity
  3. The sling is properly broken in
  4. The cover is too tight for the core

Explanation

The core carries the load in a round sling, and lumpy or uneven feel suggests damaged, bunched, or broken core fibers. Because the core cannot be seen, the sling must be removed from service.

Question 49Inspect rigging before use

A rigger is inspecting a wire rope sling and finds severe corrosion with pitting over much of its length. Why does pitting matter more than uniform surface rust?

  1. Pitting reduces the cross section locally and creates stress concentrations Correct answer.
  2. Pitting changes the rope's lay direction
  3. Pitting only affects the rope's color
  4. Pitting makes the rope stiffer and stronger

Explanation

Pitting removes metal at discrete points and creates stress concentrations where failure can start, so it is more serious than uniform surface oxidation. Severe pitting is a removal criterion.

Question 50Inspect rigging before use

A rigger finds a chain sling with a leg that has been repaired by welding a cracked link. What is the correct disposition?

  1. Use it only if the weld is painted over
  2. Return it to service if the weld looks sound
  3. Remove it from service because field welding is not permitted Correct answer.
  4. Use it only for loads below half capacity

Explanation

Chain links are heat-treated, and field welding alters their properties and is not an approved repair. A welded or repaired link makes the sling unfit for service.