NCCCO Digger Derrick Operator

Before extending the outriggers on a digger derrick, the operator must first verify that:

• AThe truck transmission is in gear
• BThe ground supports the rated load without unacceptable settlement
• CThe boom is fully retracted toward the rear
• DTire pressure is at maximum rated value

An outrigger pad sinks unevenly during setup on freshly graded fill. The correct response is to:

• AContinue setup because the outrigger jack will compensate
• BStop, retract the outrigger, and add engineered cribbing or move to firm ground
• CLower the boom so weight shifts to the other side
• DDrive the truck back and forth to compact the soil

What is the primary purpose of cribbing under outrigger pads on soft soil?

• ATo reduce hydraulic pressure in the outrigger jack
• BTo distribute the outrigger reaction over a larger bearing area
• CTo raise the truck high enough to clear curbs
• DTo electrically isolate the truck from the ground

When setting up a digger derrick on a side slope, the manufacturer normally requires that the unit be:

• ATilted to the downhill side to drain hydraulic fluid
• BOperated at a fixed 5-degree side slope at all times
• CLeveled within the manufacturer-specified tolerance, typically using outrigger length dif…
• DOperated only when the boom faces directly uphill

The swing radius of a digger derrick refers to the:

• AHorizontal distance from the rotation centerline to the load hook
• BVertical distance from the boom tip to the ground
• CLength of the auger when fully extended
• DDistance the outrigger pads project from the truck frame

Pinch points exist between the rotating superstructure and any nearby fixed object. The accepted control under OSHA is to:

• AAllow workers to pass through if they keep their hands at their sides
• BBarricade the swing radius or otherwise prevent worker entry into the rotation zone
• CSound the horn once before each swing
• DSlow the swing to half speed when workers are visible

Under OSHA 1926.1408 Table A, the minimum approach distance for equipment operating near an unidentified-voltage line up to 50 kV is:

• A4 feet
• B6 feet
• C10 feet
• D15 feet

Under OSHA 1926.1408 Table A, the minimum approach distance for a line rated over 50 kV up to 200 kV is:

• A10 feet
• B12 feet
• C15 feet
• D20 feet

Under OSHA 1926.1408 Table A, the minimum approach distance for a line rated over 200 kV up to 350 kV is:

• A15 feet
• B18 feet
• C20 feet
• D25 feet

If a digger derrick must operate closer than the Table A minimum approach distance under 1926.1408, the employer must:

• ASign a waiver and proceed without further controls
• BNotify the utility, de-energize and ground the line, OR meet the requirements of 1926.141…
• CHave only one ground worker present
• DReduce the load to 50 percent of chart capacity

On a digger derrick in subpart V utility work, an equipotential bonding mat at the work area is designed to:

• APrevent the soil from settling under the outriggers
• BEqualize voltage between the worker, the truck, and the ground during a fault
• CReduce the working radius reading on the load chart
• DCool the auger gear case during long digs

During pole setting near an energized distribution line, the digger derrick is grounded to:

• ATrigger an immediate trip of the upstream protective device
• BProvide a low-impedance path that protects the operator if the truck becomes energized
• CReduce the boom deflection under load
• DImprove the truck's traction on wet pavement

Before extending outriggers next to a roadway, the operator should first:

• ATurn on the truck radio for traffic updates
• BSet up traffic control to keep vehicles outside the outrigger and swing zones
• CPark with the boom hanging over the lane
• DLower the boom into the travel lane to slow traffic

When parking a digger derrick on a soft shoulder, the operator should be especially alert to:

• AThe risk that an outrigger pad could sink and shift the truck during the lift
• BThe need to disable all parking brakes
• CEngaging four-wheel drive
• DRaising the auger over the cab

Buried utilities (gas, water, fiber, primary cable) inside the planned outrigger and dig footprint should be:

• AIgnored if the dig is shallow
• BLocated and marked through the local one-call system before setup
• CProbed with the auger to confirm depth
• DLocated only after the first hole is dug

When the digger derrick must be set up on pavement that covers a parking-garage roof or culvert, the operator should:

• AProceed because pavement is always rated for crane outriggers
• BConfirm the slab's rated bearing capacity through the building owner or engineer before l…
• CPlace pads only on the painted parking lines
• DOperate at minimum radius to limit the load

On a hard-flat-level paved surface, the operator can normally trust which structure to support outrigger reactions without additional cribbing?

• AAny asphalt parking lot regardless of thickness
• BEngineered, rated concrete or pavement section confirmed by the site plan or owner
• CAny sidewalk over a utility vault
• DAny wooden pier or deck

The swing pad on a digger derrick is best described as:

• AA pad of soil tamped under the auger before drilling
• BA flat work platform extending the rear of the truck for hand-rigging and signal work
• CA spring pad inside the rotation bearing
• DA pad of plywood between the outrigger jack and the cribbing

Which item is part of an operator's daily pre-shift inspection of a digger derrick?

• AReplacing the engine timing belt
• BVisual check of wire rope, sheaves, hooks, and load-bearing hardware
• CRe-torquing all bolts to maximum value
• DPerforming a hydrostatic test on the boom

During pre-shift inspection of the winch wire rope, the operator finds six randomly distributed broken wires in one lay. The wire rope:

• AIs acceptable as long as it has been greased
• BShould be removed from service per ASME B30.5/ANSI A10.31 rope-replacement criteria
• CShould be cut shorter and re-spooled
• DMay continue in service for 30 more days

An operator finds a hydraulic hose with a small bulge under pressure. The correct action is to:

• AWrap the hose with electrical tape and continue working
• BTag the unit out of service and replace the hose per manufacturer specifications
• CReduce the boom angle to lower pressure
• DUse the unit only for light loads

Which control feature must be verified functional before lifting a load?

• AAir horn beeper count
• BEmergency stop, boom limit switches, and anti-two-block device
• CStereo system
• DOutside ambient temperature gauge

An anti-two-block device on a digger derrick is designed to:

• AStop the auger from over-spinning
• BPrevent the hook block from contacting the boom tip and causing wire-rope failure
• CLimit boom rotation speed
• DDetect a stuck outrigger pin

Cracks in the boom welds discovered during pre-operation inspection require:

• ASpray painting over the cracks
• BRemoval from service until the boom is repaired and inspected by a qualified person
• COperation at half capacity
• DInspection at the next quarterly service interval

Hook latches on the load hook must be:

• ARemoved for pole work
• BFunctional and able to keep slings from coming off the hook
• CReplaced daily regardless of condition
• DWelded shut in the open position

The digger derrick's pole guide and pole grabber linkage should be inspected for:

• ASoftware updates
• BBent pins, worn bushings, and stress cracks in the load-bearing members
• CTire tread depth
• DBattery terminal voltage

If the load-chart capacity placard at the operator's station is missing or unreadable, the operator should:

• AOperate by memory and average values
• BTag the machine out of service until a legible load chart is restored
• CLift only loads under 500 pounds
• DSkip the load chart and operate by feel

Outrigger pins, jack cylinders, and beam locking devices should be inspected:

• AOnly at the annual inspection
• BEach shift, with particular attention to pin retention and cylinder leaks
• COnly after the truck has been transported on a flatbed
• DOnly when working on snow or ice

On a typical digger derrick, the boom angle indicator helps the operator:

• AVerify the engine RPM
• BDetermine working radius and compare actual angle with the load chart
• CMeasure auger torque
• DSet the parking brake

Fluid leaks observed during pre-shift inspection should be:

• AIgnored if the puddle is small
• BIdentified by type, source, and severity; major leaks require removal from service
• CCleaned up only at the end of the shift
• DAllowed if covered by sand

The PTO (power take-off) should be:

• AEngaged only after the boom is up
• BEngaged per manufacturer procedure before activating digger derrick controls, with the tr…
• CEngaged at full engine RPM
• DDisengaged any time the auger is in the ground

Before energizing the digger derrick controls, the operator should confirm:

• AThe cab radio is on
• BAll workers are clear of the swing path and pinch points
• CThe truck windows are fogged
• DThe auger is buried in the soil

Tires that show damage or low pressure must be addressed before operation because:

• ASoft tires can give a false reading on the boom angle indicator
• BStored-on-tires charts assume the manufacturer's tire condition and pressure
• CTires drive the auger
• DTires affect the boom paint color

The operator's pre-start review of the work plan should include:

• AWatching a manufacturer marketing video
• BPole weights, lift path, working radius, ground crew assignments, and rescue plan if a co…
• CCounting the number of trucks visible on the road
• DPlotting fuel-station locations

Augering begins with the auger pointed:

• AAt an arbitrary angle that the operator likes
• BVertical (plumb) and centered on the marked hole location
• CAt a 30-degree angle off vertical to break the soil
• DSideways and dragged into position

During augering, if the auger drive bogs down and stalls, the operator should:

• AIncrease pressure until something breaks
• BReverse, raise the auger to clear cuttings, then re-engage at lower down-pressure
• CSwing the boom to twist the auger free
• DAdd weight to the boom tip

When the auger hits an unexpected obstruction (rock, old foundation), the operator should:

• AUse full engine RPM to push through
• BStop, raise the auger, and reassess with the supervisor and possibly a fresh utility loca…
• CSwitch to reverse rotation indefinitely
• DMove the truck and try again without checking

When raising a pole from horizontal to vertical with the pole guide and winch, the operator must remember that:

• AThe load on the winch is essentially the dead pole weight
• BDynamic effects from acceleration, friction in the pole guide, and shifting center of gra…
• CThe winch experiences no load until the pole is vertical
• DPole guides reduce winch load to zero

The pole grabber is normally engaged on the pole at:

• AThe exact balance point so the pole hangs level
• BAbove the balance point, so the pole hangs butt-down for setting
• CThe very tip (top) of the pole
• DThe base only, regardless of orientation

Signal communication between operator and ground crew should be:

• AImprovised gestures unique to the crew
• BStandard hand signals (ANSI/ASME B30.5 series) and/or voice over radio, agreed before the…
• CSound only, with no visual confirmation
• DVisual only, regardless of distance

If the designated signal person leaves the operator's sight, the operator should:

• AContinue the lift and assume the signal person will return
• BStop motion until contact is re-established
• CSwitch to the nearest available worker as signal person without coordination
• DSpeed up the lift to compensate

Dynamic loading refers to:

• AThe pole-weight figure printed on the spec sheet
• BThe increase in apparent load on the boom, winch, and outriggers caused by motion, accele…
• COnly loads that travel by truck
• DWind speed only

Sudden jerking of the load on the winch is dangerous because it:

• AImproves wire-rope life
• BImposes shock loads that can exceed rated capacity and damage components
• CCools the hydraulic system
• DResets the load chart to zero

Dual operations using one digger derrick — for example, lifting a transformer with the winch while simultaneously augering — are:

• AStandard and unrestricted
• BProhibited unless specifically allowed by the manufacturer and within the appropriate loa…
• CEncouraged because they save time
• DAllowed only at night

When transferring a load between cranes or between a digger derrick and another lift device, both operators must:

• AUse only voice signals
• BCoordinate through a single lift director or designated signal person, with each unit wit…
• CLift at maximum boom angle
• DDisable their respective load charts

When installing crossarms on a pole, the most likely cause of an unsafe dynamic event is:

• AReading the load chart correctly
• BWind gusts catching the long crossarm and swinging it into the line zone
• CUsing ANSI hand signals
• DLeveling the truck

Tag lines are used during digger-derrick lifts to:

• AAdd weight to the hook
• BAllow ground workers to control orientation and prevent uncontrolled swing of long or win…
• CHold the boom up
• DProvide a path to ground for fault current