Site and operational hazard awareness, load charts, and crane setup
Domain 1 tests whether you can read a site, set up a crane legally, and convert a load chart into a safe lift. The exam favors scenario questions: soil, slope, utilities, outrigger configuration, and chart deductions.
Site and setup
- Walk the travel and setup path: voids, buried utilities, septic tanks, slopes, soft spots, overhead lines, nearby structures, and swing clearance.
- Outriggers fully extended, floats or mats sized for ground bearing, crane level per manufacturer (often within 1 degree), tires clear of ground when required.
- Barricade the swing radius; keep the load path clear of people.
- Confirm wind limits, visibility, and communication.
Load chart reading
Use the chart for the exact boom length, counterweight, outrigger state, and quadrant. Capacity is gross; subtract block, ball, jib, stowed attachments, and rigging to get net capacity. Radius is horizontal center of rotation to load center.
Worked example
A 50-ton AT crane at 35 ft radius, 100 ft boom, published gross capacity 16,400 lb. Deductions: 900 lb block, 300 lb rigging = 1,200 lb. Net = 15,200 lb. Load is 14,000 lb plus 600 lb rigging = 14,600 lb, so the lift is legal with 600 lb margin. If the actual radius is 40 ft, capacity drops to 13,800 lb gross; net 12,600 lb, so the same load is an overload. Re-set closer rather than "try it."
Traps
Using boom length instead of radius; ignoring deductions; reading the wrong outrigger or quadrant column; setting up on soft fill; failing to level; assuming a mat adds capacity; not checking chart for the actual boom configuration.