NZ Certificate in Cranes study plan

Define the duties and chain-of-responsibility of the crane operator, dogman/rigger, and lift supervisor, and state who may authorise a lift to proceed

Identify the load-control inputs that must be confirmed before any lift: load mass, centre of gravity, rigging arrangement, and ground/support conditions

Explain the difference between a routine lift and a lift requiring a documented lifting plan, and list the triggers that force a written plan

Practise reading a simple load chart to extract rated capacity at a given radius and configuration

Describe the standard hand and whistle signals for crane control and state the rule that only one designated signaller directs the operator at a time

Explain how radius, boom length, boom angle, and counterweight affect rated capacity, and define what causes a chart to be derated

Identify the main operational limits and safety devices (rated capacity limiter, limit switches, anti-two-block, slew and outrigger interlocks) and what each protects against

List the environmental and site conditions that require the operator to stop or reassess a lift

Classify the main crane families (mobile telescopic, lattice boom, tower, gantry, overhead travelling) by structure, mobility and typical duty

Explain the configuration variables for mobile cranes: boom/jib combinations, counterweight states, outrigger versus pick-and-carry modes, and tyre/axle load limits

Describe tower crane erection, climbing, tie-in and dismantling sequences and the roles involved

Match configuration choices to load, radius, height and ground conditions for three worked scenarios

Explain the purpose and required content of pre-operational inspections and periodic examinations, and who is competent to carry them out

Identify common crane defects and damage categories (wire rope, hooks, brakes, structural cracking, limit devices) and the actions each demands

Describe the ground-bearing and outrigger/rail foundation requirements that must be verified before setup

State the isolation, lockout and tagout steps needed before maintenance or repair work on a crane

Calculate load mass from dimensions and material density, and add rigging and attachment mass to get the total load

Select slings and lifting gear by working load limit for given configurations, including multi-leg slings at stated angles

Explain sling angle effects, tension in each leg, and why shallow angles reduce capacity

Describe how to establish and verify the centre of gravity and control load rotation and swing

Draft the sections of a lifting plan: scope, load data, crane selection and position, rigging, ground conditions, exclusion zone, roles and emergency arrangements

Design exclusion zones and taglines/control measures for a lift adjacent to people, structures or services

Identify hazards and controls for common lift types: tandem, blind, near-powerline, and lift over occupied areas

Describe communication, briefing and stop-work authority on a lifting crew

Explain the hierarchy of controls as applied to crane work and how it drives control selection in a lift plan

Describe emergency procedures for a crane: power failure, load hang, structural alarm, fire, and rescue of an operator

State the record-keeping and notification obligations for incidents, near misses and equipment failures

Explain the operator's responsibilities for fatigue, fitness for work and communication during a shift

Consolidate all four domains by working through a timed mixed-topic mock exam and reviewing every wrong answer

Re-derive from memory the key formulas and ratios: capacity versus radius, sling-leg tension, WLL for multi-leg slings

Rehearse the mandatory contents of a lifting plan and the daily inspection sequence without notes

Identify your three weakest sub-topics and close each with targeted revision