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Practice Exam 2

2 hours

Learning Objectives

  • •Demonstrate mastery of all 1B content areas through a second full-length practice exam
  • •Apply scenario-based reasoning to multi-step crane operation and safety questions
  • •Confirm readiness for the actual Massachusetts 1B hoisting engineer exam
  • •Review any remaining weak areas before sitting for the exam

Topics Covered

  • •Scenario review: setting up on a construction site — ground check, outrigger deployment, leveling, LMI configuration
  • •Scenario review: receiving a pick list — load weight, rigging weight, radius, boom length, which load chart column
  • •Scenario review: power lines on the site — identify voltage, apply Table A, determine if lift is feasible or requires deenergization
  • •Scenario review: pre-shift inspection deficiency found — tag out or proceed? which OSHA section applies?
  • •Scenario review: the signaler gives a signal the operator doesn't recognize — what to do?
  • •Scenario review: the LMI alarm sounds at 90% capacity during a pick — what does OSHA require?
  • •Scenario review: wire rope with seven broken wires distributed over one lay — what action?
  • •Deep review: load chart reading with jib attachment — which chart page, capacity differences
  • •Deep review: renewal and penalty questions — license lapse, employer liability, accident reporting
  • •Deep review: the 1B class scope — what it covers, what requires 1A or 1C instead
  • •Exam strategy: time management, flagging uncertain questions, systematic elimination of distractors
  • •Final review of all key regulatory citations: MGL §53, 230 CMR 6.00, 1926.1402, 1926.1408, 1926.1412, 1926.1413, 1926.1416, 1926.1417, 1926.1419

Resources

MA Hoisting Licensing & Exams (mass.gov)

reference

Required

MGL Chapter 146 §53 — Licensing requirement (malegislature.gov)

regulation

Required

29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC — Cranes and Derricks in Construction (OSHA)

osha

Required

Self-Check Questions

Question 1: You arrive at a job site with a telescoping-boom crane. The site has an overhead power line at unknown voltage crossing part of the work area. What minimum clearance applies to all parts of the crane, load line, and load?

  1. A. 10 feet
  2. B. 15 feet
  3. C. 20 feet(correct)
  4. D. 25 feet
Show Explanation

Explanation:

When voltage is unknown, OSHA 1926.1408 requires maintaining a minimum of 20 feet from all parts of the crane, load line, and load. All power lines must be treated as energized until the utility confirms otherwise in writing. If the work cannot be done within that clearance, you must request deenergization or re-plan the lift.

Question 2: You find a wire rope with two broken wires within a six rope-diameter length on a rotation-resistant hoist rope. What action is required?

  1. A. Continue operation — two broken wires is within the threshold for standard ropes
  2. B. Remove the rope from service — two breaks in six rope diameters meets the removal threshold for rotation-resistant ropes(correct)
  3. C. Reduce lifts to 75% of rated capacity until end of shift, then replace the rope
  4. D. Document the finding and re-inspect after 24 hours
Show Explanation

Explanation:

OSHA 1926.1413 sets lower thresholds for rotation-resistant ropes than for standard ropes: two broken wires in six rope diameters (or four in 30 diameters) requires removal from service. Rotation-resistant ropes have a different construction that is more sensitive to broken wires — the lower threshold reflects this.

Question 3: A load chart shows 10,000 lbs at 30-foot radius and 8,000 lbs at 35-foot radius, both on outriggers fully extended. Your estimated radius is 31 feet. What rated capacity should you use?

  1. A. 10,000 lbs — you are within the 30-foot radius column
  2. B. 9,400 lbs — interpolate 20% of the way from 10,000 toward 8,000
  3. C. 8,000 lbs — always use the lower (more conservative) value when between chart entries(correct)
  4. D. 9,000 lbs — split the difference between the two entries
Show Explanation

Explanation:

When your working radius falls between two load chart entries, use the lower (more conservative) rated capacity — in this case, the 8,000-lb value from the 35-foot column. Crane tip-over risk does not decrease linearly with radius, so interpolating toward a higher capacity at an intermediate radius is not conservative enough.

Question 4: An operator discovers that the ground under one outrigger has shifted, causing the crane to be off-level by 2% (beyond the manufacturer's 1% tolerance). What must the operator do?

  1. A. Reduce rated capacity by 2% for each degree off level and continue operations
  2. B. Stop operations, lower any suspended load, and correct the leveling issue before resuming(correct)
  3. C. Switch to the "on rubber" column in the load chart as a conservative alternative
  4. D. Notify the site superintendent but continue if the lift is under 50% of rated capacity
Show Explanation

Explanation:

Load charts assume the crane is level within the manufacturer's specified tolerance (typically 1%). Out-of-level conditions shift the effective working radius, potentially pushing loads beyond the chart's rated conditions. The operator must stop, lower any load, and re-level the crane before resuming. There is no approved percentage-reduction shortcut.

Question 5: The 1B restriction covers telescoping-boom cranes with or without wire ropes. Which restriction would an operator need to also operate a fixed lattice-boom crane?

  1. A. 1B covers both telescoping and lattice booms
  2. B. 1C
  3. C. 1A(correct)
  4. D. 2A
Show Explanation

Explanation:

The Massachusetts Class 1A license covers all hoisting equipment including lattice-boom cranes, guy derricks, and all equipment in the lower classes (1B, 1C, 1D, and Class 4 specialty). The 1B restriction is limited to telescoping-boom cranes. To operate a fixed lattice boom crane, a 1A license is required.

Question 6: Which of the following OSHA Subpart CC sections requires documentation of monthly crane inspections to be retained for a minimum of three months?

  1. A. 1926.1417 (Operation)
  2. B. 1926.1412 (Inspections)(correct)
  3. C. 1926.1413 (Wire rope inspection)
  4. D. 1926.1416 (Operational aids)
Show Explanation

Explanation:

OSHA 1926.1412 establishes all inspection requirements and documentation retention periods. Monthly inspection records (items checked, results, inspector name, signature, date) must be retained for at least three months. Annual inspection records must be retained for 12 months.

Question 7: Which of the following is the correct action when the LMI (load moment indicator) display goes blank during a lift?

  1. A. Continue the lift slowly and have the signal person monitor for signs of overload
  2. B. Stop operations requiring LMI data until the system is restored or a compliant alternative is in place(correct)
  3. C. Switch to estimating load weight visually and continue at 75% of estimated capacity
  4. D. The LMI is a Category I aid — cease all operations and do not restart until repaired today
Show Explanation

Explanation:

The LMI (load moment indicator or load weighing device) is a Category II operational aid under OSHA 1926.1416. If it fails, operations requiring that information must stop until either the device is restored or the temporary alternative measure (calculating load from known sources and monitoring during the initial hoist) is implemented. It is not an immediate crane shutdown — but you cannot proceed without load information.

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