CRANE LAWS AND REGULATIONS: Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards as well as State and local regulations for the construction industry, particularly those that involve craning equipment are reviewed during this session. Class participants also discuss the division of responsibilities between the contractor, the operator and other on-site personnel in operating the equipment within the manufacturers' guidelines.

MATHEMATICS USED IN CRANING: This session reviews some of the basic fundamentals of construction mathematics in preparation for future sessions. Participants receive instruction and practice in the use of the pocket calculator when adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and bracketed equations. Percentages and metric conversion are also practiced during class exercises.

SETTING UP CRANES: The seven and eight main points necessary for the proper setting up of rubber tired and crawler mounted cranes are reviewed. The proper extension of outriggers, ensuring that the crane is working from a firm, level supporting surface and has adequate swing clearance to safely perform the work are among the points discussed.

CALCULATING CAPACITIES FOR HYDRAULIC AND LATTICE BOOM CRANES: The capacity chart is one of the most important, and sometimes mysterious items placed on the crane to assist the operator in daily operations. Through in class study and homework assignments participants quickly learn to calculate crane capacities and interpret the various instructions and notes shown on several types of hydraulic and lattice boom crane capacity charts.

PRINCIPLES OF LEVERAGE AND MULTIPLE CRANE LIFTS: Through the study of the fundamentals of basic leverage principles, class participants discover how these principles help to explain the proportionate sharing of loads between multiple cranes involved in a single lift. Load shift calculations for tipping up or laying down of loads is also practiced.

CONDITIONS AFFECTING CRANE CAPACITIES: During this session participants will review and discuss the less than ideal conditions such as wind, extreme cold, impact loading, off level and production lifting that can have an adverse effect on the cranes' capacity ratings. Some of the steps that can be taken to minimize their effect are presented.

WIRE ROPE AND RIGGING: Various types of wire rope used in the craning industry for both hoisting and rigging applications are dealt with in this presentation. Procedures for identifying, applying and maintaining rigging apparatus are presented as well as inspection techniques and removal from service criteria.

WORKING AROUND HIGH VOLTAGE: In this session participants quickly learn what takes place when contact is made with high voltage apparatus. Facts are presented to show how the current flows through the machine and radiates through the ground sometimes causing serious injury, or death, to persons not necessarily involved in the actual contact. Absolute "Limits of Approach" and emergency procedures to be followed if contact is made are also studied.

USE OF LOAD MOMENT DEVICES: The principles of Load Moment Indicators and Anti-Two Blocking devices are discussed. Their advantages, disadvantages, and how to program and use them are described through video and slide presentations.

SAMPLE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST: To help prepare participants for National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators written core and specialty examinations, at the conclusion of this training program participants are required to complete a written course test. This test will challenge the individual's knowledge of the general principles of properly setting up the crane, rigging the load and correctly using the chart to determine lifting capacities.

NCCCO WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS AND CERTIFICATION: At the conclusion of this course, candidates will have completed physical examination forms, experience forms, and written examination candidate applications for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). NCCCO written examinations will then be administered. The written examination program consists of a Core examination in crane operation, as well as four crane specialty examinations. The Core examination has 90 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are allowed one and a half (1.5) hours to complete the Core examination. All Specialty examinations consist of 26 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are allowed 55 minutes to complete each Specialty examination.

All candidates are required to take the Core examination regardless of the Specialty in which they wish to be certified. Specialty examinations include Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes, Lattice Boom Truck Cranes, Small Telescopic Boom Cranes (less than 17.5 tons), and Large Telescopic Boom Cranes (greater than 17.5 tons). Candidates must register for at least one of the Specialty examinations. Certification requires competency in both the Core and one or more Specialty categories.