National Commission for the
Certification of Crane Operators
Committed to Quality, Integrity, and Fairness in Testing since 1995

CERTIFICATIONS

Articulating Crane Operator

Written Exam - Exam Outline

The Written Examination portion of the CCO Articulating Crane Operator certification program tests the following knowledge areas relating to the operation of cranes:

DOMAIN
ARTICULATING BOOM CRANE
ARTICULATING BOOM CRANE w/ WINCH
ARTICULATING BOOM LOADER
Domain 1: Site and Setup
17%
13%
20%
Domain 2: Operations
37%
35%
40%
Domain 3: Technical Knowledge
30%
35%
28%
Domain 4: Manufacturers' Load Charts
17%
17%
12%

  

DOMAIN 1: SITE AND SETUP

  1. Know the ability of the supporting surface to handle the expected loads; elements of concern include but are not limited to:
    1. Weakness below the surface, such as voids, tanks, and loose fill
    2. Weakness on the surface, such as retaining walls, slopes, excavations, and depressions
  2. Know the proper use of blocking or cribbing.
  3. Know electric power line hazards, corresponding regulations, and safety practices.
  4. Know how to identify and evaluate hazards associated with:
    1. Entering and leaving the job site
    2. Site hazards such as above ground and underground utilities
    3. Transportation clearances
    4. Job site personnel
  5. Know how to review lift requirements with site supervisor.
  6. Know the responsibilities of various workplace personnel.
  7. Know how to establish/re-establish a safety zone.
  8. Know how to properly use stabilizers.
  9. Know how to deploy and stow boom(s).
  10. Know the proper use of wheel chocks.

DOMAIN 2: OPERATIONS

  1. Know which federal regulations and industry standards affect safe operation of cranes.
  2. Know how to conduct daily inspections and notify supervision of unsafe conditions.
  3. Know proper operation of power take-off (PTO).
  4. Know how to lift, rotate, and place the load smoothly and safely.
  5. Know standard articulating boom crane hand signals.
  6. Know how to secure the crane when leaving the controls:
    1. In normal conditions
    2. In emergency conditions
    3. With load suspended
  7. Know how to operate in:
    1. Various weather conditions
    2. Various environmental conditions
  8. Know how to determine the radius.
  9. Know how to operate a permanently attached material-handling fork:
    1. Clamping
    2. Load control
    3. Centering the load
  10. Understand the function of an overload protection (OLP) system.
  11. Know the proper procedures for operating safely under the following conditions:
    1. Operations when power lines are present
    2. Handling loads out of the operator’s vision (operating in the blind)
  12. Know the proper procedures for load control.
  13. Know the effects of dynamic loading from:
    1. Wind
    2. Stopping and starting
    3. Impact loading
    4. Moving the load
  14. Know the effect of side loading.
  15. Know proper procedures for securing the crane for transit.
  16. Know how to verify the weight of:
    1. Load
    2. Attachments

    17. The following knowledge areas apply to Articulating Boom Crane (ABC) and/or Winch (ABW) ONLY:
  17. Know basic rigging procedures.

    18. The following knowledge areas apply to Winch (ABW) ONLY:  
  18. Know proper procedures of reeving wire ropes and selecting the proper downhaul weight.
  19. Understand two block–damage prevention feature.

DOMAIN 3: TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

  1. Know basic crane terminology and definitions.
  2. Know the functions and limitations of attachments.
  3. Know the significance, use, and limitations of operator warning, safety, and/or limiting devices.
  4. Know the requirements of pre-operational inspections and maintenance.
  5. Know how to use manufacturer-approved attachments and their effect on the crane’s operation.
     

    6. The following knowledge areas apply to Articulating Boom Crane (ABC) and/or Winch (ABW) ONLY:

  6. Know rigging devices and their use, such as:
    1. Slings
    2. Wire rope fittings (e.g., clips, shackles)
    3. Saddles (softeners)

    7.   
    The following knowledge areas apply to Winch (ABW) ONLY:

  7. Know wire rope:
    1. Construction and breaking strength
    2. Inspection procedures
    3. Replacement criteria and procedures
    4. Capacity and when multi-part rope is needed
    5. Maintenance and lubrication
    6. Relationship between line pull and safe working load

DOMAIN 4: LOAD CHARTS

  1. Know the terminology necessary to use load charts.
  2. Know how to ensure that the load chart is the appropriate chart for the machine in its particular configuration.
  3. Know how to verify weight of load.
  4. Know how to use load rating charts, including:
    1. The operational limitations of load charts and footnotes
    2. How to apply various load rating charts for the crane’s working areas
    3. What is included in load rating charts

    5.  
    The following knowledge areas apply to Articulating Boom Crane (ABC) and/or Winch (ABW) ONLY:

  5. Know how to make deductions for rigging, attachments, and manual boom extensions.

    6.    
    The following knowledge areas apply to Winch (ABW) ONLY:

  6. Know where to find and how to use:
    1. The parts of line information
    2. The safe working load of hoist line