The Core Examination portion of the CCO certification program tests the following knowledge areas relating to the operation of mobile cranes:
Domain 1: Site
(Approximately 20% of the test)
Domain 2: Operations
(Approximately 26% of the test)
Domain 3: Technical Knowledge
(Approximately 28% of the test)
Domain 4: Manufacturers’ Load Charts
(Approximately 26% of the test)
DOMAIN 1: SITE
(Approximately 20% of the test)
- Know the ability of supporting surfaces to handle the expected loads. Elements of concern include but are not limited to:
- Weakness below the surface, such as voids, tanks, and loose fill
- Weakness on the surface, such as retaining walls, slopes, excavations, and depressions
- Firm, drained, and graded ground conditions for adequate support
- Know the proper use of mats, blocking, or cribbing and outriggers or crawlers, as they affect the ability of supporting surfaces to handle the expected loads of the operation.
- Know electric power line hazards, corresponding regulations, and safety practices.
- Know how to identify and evaluate hazards associated with:
- Access to job site
- Site hazards, such as underground utilities
- Transportation clearances
- Know how to review lift requirements with site supervision, including determining working height, boom length, load radius, load weight, crane capacity, travel clearance, extension of crawlers or outriggers/stabilizers, and counterweights.
DOMAIN 2: OPERATIONS
(Approximately 26% of the test)
- Know which federal regulations and industry standards affect safe operation of cranes, including but not limited to ASME B30.5, OSHA 1910.180, and OSHA 1926 Subpart CC.
- Know how to conduct shift crane inspections for unsafe conditions/deficiencies and when to notify supervision of these conditions.
- Know how to pick, carry, swing, and place the load smoothly and safely on rubber tires and on outriggers/stabilizers or crawlers (where applicable).
- Know proper procedures and methods of reeving all wire ropes and methods of reeving multiple-part lines and selecting the proper load block and/or ball.
- Know standard method signals as specified in OSHA 1926 Subpart CC.
- Hand signals
- Voice signals
- Know how to shut down and secure the crane properly when leaving it unattended, based on manufacturer’s recommendations in both normal and emergency conditions.
- Know the manufacturer’s recommendations for operating in various weather conditions, and understand how environmental conditions affect the safe operation of the crane.
- Know how to verify the weight of the load and rigging prior to initiating the lift.
- Know how to determine where the load is to be picked up and placed, and know how to verify the radii.
- Know basic load rigging procedures.
- Know how to perform shift and monthly maintenance and inspection.
- Know how to use and understand the requirements for operational aids and safety devices:
- LMI
- Anti–two block device
- Boom angle indicator
- Rated load indicator
- Boom length indicators
- Crane level indicator
- Boom and jib stops
- Brake locks
- Hydraulic outrigger and stabilizer holding/check valve devices
- Horn
- Boom hoist limiting devices
- Luffing jib limiting devices and indicators
- Load weighing devices
- Outrigger/stabilizer position sensors/monitors
- Drum rotation indicators
- Know which operations reduce crane capacity or require specific procedures or skills, such as:
- Multi-crane lifts
- Suspended personnel platforms
- Duty cycle operations
- Barge operations
- Know the proper procedures for operating safely under the following conditions:
- Traveling with suspended loads
- Approaching two blocking
- Operating near electric power lines
- Using a suspended personnel platform
- Lifting loads from beneath the surface of the water
- Using various approved counterweight configurations
- Handling loads out of the operator’s vision (“operating in the blind”)
- Using electronic communications techniques (e.g., radios) in various weather conditions
- Traveling under or near power lines with no load
- Swing radius hazards
- Prohibitions of free fall
- Know proper procedures for load control and the use of handheld tag lines.
- Know how to react to:
- Electric power line contact
- Loss of stability
- Control malfunction
- Block and line twisting
- Carrier or travel malfunction
- Personnel under load or in fall zone
- Know how to use the outriggers properly in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
- Know alternative measures when operational aids malfunction.
- Know the effects of dynamic loading from:
- Wind
- Stopping and starting
- Impact loading
- Moving the load
- Traveling with load (pick and carry)
- Know the effect of side loading.
- Know operator’s authority to stop operations.
- Know operator certification requirements.
DOMAIN 3: TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
(Approximately 28% of the test)
- Know basic crane terminology and definitions.
- Know functions and limitations of the crane and attachments.
- Know wire rope:
- Construction and breaking strength
- Inspection procedures
- Replacement criteria and inspection procedures
- Capacity and when multi-part rope is needed
- Maintenance and lubrication
- Relationship between line pull and safe working load
- Know rigging devices and their use, such as:
- Slings
- Spreaders
- Lifting beams
- Wire rope fittings, such as clips, shackles, and wedge sockets
- Saddles (softeners)
- Clamps
- Hook blocks and overhaul balls
- Know the limitations of protective measures against electrical hazards.
- Know the effects of load share and load transfer in multi-crane lifts.
- Know the significance of the instruments, gauge readings, and machine power systems.
- Know the requirements of shift inspections and maintenance.
- Know the uses and limitations of all operational devices/aids.
- Know how to calculate net capacity for the crane configuration using the applicable manufacturer’s load chart.
- Know how to use manufacturer-approved attachments and their effect on the crane’s operation.
- Know the principles of backward stability.
- Know requirements for fall protection.
- Know requirements for access and egress.
- Know the general requirements that apply to assembly/disassembly operations.
- Know assembly/disassembly procedures when in proximity to power lines.
DOMAIN 4: MANUFACTURERS’ LOAD CHARTS
(Approximately 26% of the test)
- Know the terminology necessary to use load charts.
- Know how to ensure that the load chart is the appropriate chart for the machine in its particular application.
- Know how to use capacity load charts; this includes knowing:
- The operational limitations of load charts and footnotes
- The difference between structural capacity and capacity limited by stability
- What is included in load chart capacity
- The range diagram and its relationship to the load chart
- The work area chart and its relationship to the load chart
- Where to find and how to use the parts-of-line information
- The safe working load of hoist line
- Know how to use the load chart together with the load indicators.