National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) Mobile Crane Practice Exam

Under what condition can a crane be overloaded?

1. When the supervisor says it's OK

2. Never

3. When testing the crane

4. When proof testing a man basket

The correct answer is: When testing the crane

The condition under which a crane can be overloaded is during testing to evaluate the crane's capacity and performance. This is typically done in a controlled environment where the crane's limits are being assessed to ensure safety and compliance before it is put to use for operational tasks. During testing, cranes may be subjected to loads that exceed their rated capacity to validate their strength and safety features. This is often referred to as "proof testing." In these scenarios, trained professionals follow strict safety guidelines and protocols to ensure that the testing does not pose any risk to personnel or equipment. The aim is to gather data that verifies the crane can handle its rated loads under normal working conditions. Options like relying on a supervisor's approval or using a man basket for standard operations do not justify overloaded conditions outside of controlled testing scenarios. Overloading a crane in operational settings is unsafe and goes against best practices to prevent accidents or equipment failure. Therefore, the only acceptable situation for overloading a crane is within the parameters of rigorous testing and under professional oversight.