The written examination portion of the CCO Tower Crane Operator certification program tests the following knowledge areas relating to the operation of tower cranes:
Domain 1: Site
(Approximately 10% of the test)
Domain 2: Erection, Climbing and Dismantling
(Approximately 25% of the test)
Domain 3: Operations
(Approximately 50% of the test)
Domain 4: Technical Knowledge
(Approximately 15% of the test)
DOMAIN 1: SITE
(Approximately 10% of the test)
- Know how to assess suitability of the supporting surface. *
- Know how to determine if there is adequate room for outriggers and tail swing. *
- Know how to locate and identify site hazards and restrictions such as electric power lines, air-rights, or other hazardous systems and public access areas.
- Be familiar with basic requirements for power sources, fusing, disconnects, lighting protection and grounding.
- Be familiar with the necessity to protect the crane's foundation.
* 1 and 2 only refer to Self-Erecting Cranes
DOMAIN 2: ERECTION, CLIMBING AND DISMANTLING
(Approximately 25% of the test)
- Know proper erection, climbing and dismantling procedures specified by the manufacture in the operator's manual.
- Know general notes and warnings to be applied during climbing procedures.
- Know the maximum allowable wind speeds during erection, climbing, dismantling and operation.
- Understand the proper procedures for bolting and/or pinning connections.
- Understand the maximum freestanding height allowed.
- Understand the proper counterweight configurations and/or central ballast requirements.
- Understand proper crane configuration.
- Be familiar with standard minimum and maximum tower height above tie-ins
- Be familiar with proper installation of internal climbing collars, support beams, wedges and climbing apparatus.
- Be familiar with proper installation of top climbing units and tie-in collars, struts and lower braces.
- Know proper position of top climbing unit after climbing procedures in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.
- Be familiar with proper travel rail installation and maintenance.
DOMAIN 3: OPERATIONS
(Approximately 50% of the test)
- Know how to inspect the crane for proper condition and complete required records.
- Know how and when to communicate with management, crew and signal person.
- Know standard hand signals as specified in ASME B30.3.
- Know how to shutdown and secure the crane properly when leaving it unattended.
- Know the manufacture's recommendations for operating in various weather conditions.
- Know how to verify the weight of the load and the rigging.
- Understand basic load rigging procedures.
- Know how to perform the basic maintenance.
- Know the crane operator responsibilities contained in ASME B30.3.
- Know how to use operator aids and limiting devices.
- Know the proper procedures for operating safely under special conditions: i.e., traveling with suspended loads; approaching two-blocking; operating near electric power lines; lifting loads from beneath the surface of the water; handling loads out of the operator's vision ("in the blind"), and suspended personnel platforms.
- Know the proper procedures for load control during the use of hand held tag lines.
- Know emergency response procedures: i.e., fire control, electric power line contact and control malfunction.
- Understand federal, state and local regulations and ASME B30.3 regulations pertaining to the operation of the crane.
- Know how to review planned crane operations and requirements with site supervision.
- Understand tower crane load charts.
DOMAIN 4: TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
(Approximately 15% of the test)
- Understand the function, limitations and characteristics of the crane.
- Know the basic maintenance, inspection and replacement criteria for tower crane wire ropes.
- Know basic tower crane nomenclature.
- Understand basic machine power flow systems: i.e., mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, combination.
- Understand boom, jib, counter jib and counter weight configurations.
- Know the "out of plumb" tolerance for the tower crane.
- Basic understanding of metric units/US customary units.
- Understand basic safety procedures: e.g. lock out, tag out, fall protection.