Crane Operator Examination - Effective until January 5, 2025

Crane Operator Examination - Effective until January 5, 2025

The examination is 3 hours long. It contains 64 questions and each question is worth 1 point. The required passing grade is 60%. The materials for your use during the examination are provided to you. They are: a pencil, a paper sheet, a calculator, a ruler and an eraser. No other material or reference document is allowed during the examination.

Skill content on which questions may be based

Section 1 - Inspecting the Crane, Assembling and Disassembling Upperworks (34%)

  • Performing technical checks on the carrier
  • Performing technical checks on the upperworks
  • Installing, using and checking cables and pulleys
  • Reviewing the points mentioned in the logbook’s Generalities Section
  • Inspecting the boom and the fixed jib 
  • Evaluating visually the work site
  • Identifying the proximity of electric wires
  • Extending the outriggers in compliance with manufacturer specifications and according to the operations to be performed
  • Raising the gantry (only for conventional cranes)
  • Assembling the boom and/or the fixed jib
  • Conducting an inspection before raising the boom and the fixed jib
  • Positioning the crane to perform operations
  • Levelling the crane

Section 2 - Knowing the Conditions Affecting the Crane’s Rated Lifting Capacities (20%)

  • Taking wind velocity into account
  • Taking rotation speed into account
  • Understanding about structural breaks and overturning
  • Knowing the safety factors of all the types of cables 

Section 3 - Reading Various Charts Correctly (23%)

  • Detecting the limit line
  • Understanding the concepts of building height or overhead obstacles by referring to the working range diagram
  • Understanding the concepts of boom length, fixed jib length and offset
  • Understanding the concept of operating radius
  • Understanding the concept of lift capacity according to the type of crane
  • Calculating lift weigh
  • Understanding the concept of gross weight
  • Understanding the concept of net weight 

Section 4 - Planning the Rigging, Communicating and Using Working Procedures (23%)

  • Knowing the weight of the load and rigging
  • Determining the rigging method to be used
  • Choosing the types of slings and the accessories to be used according to the load to be hoisted
  • Identifying the rated capacities of slings and accessories
  • Applying safety factors
  • Determining the angles of slings and accessories
  • Securing to the attachment points in compliance with the recommended procedure 
  • Ensuring the quality of communication with the signaller
  • Knowing the meaning of the signals 
  • Following the sequence of steps during operations
  • Following safety procedures during a mechanical failure
  • Performing various operational procedures
  • Following the procedure before climbing down from the crane
  • Operating a concrete pump
     

Samples of questions for provincial qualification examination.

Suggested documentation

The suggested documents are an important tool to help you prepare for the examination. However, your best asset to write the exam successfully are the quality and diversity of the skills you have acquired during your apprenticeship.

  • CSA GROUPECode on Mobile Crane, Mississauga, Groupe CSA, 2012, 132 p. (Standard CAN/CSA-Z150-11).
    Tel.: 514 428-2418 or 1800 463-6727; Fax: 514 694-5001
    www.csagroup.org 

  • ASSOCIATION PARITAIRE POUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ DU TRAVAIL. SECTEUR CONSTRUCTION (ASP Construction). Aide-mémoire de prévention – Élingues et accessoires de levage, ASP Construction, 2012.
    www.asp-construction.org 

  • CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIOHoisting and Rigging Safety Manual, Etobicoke, Ont., CSAO, 2009, 168 p.
    Tel.: 1 800 781-2726; Fax: 416 674-8866
    www.ihsa.ca 

  • OPERATING ENGINEERS TRAINING INSTITUTE OF ONTARIO (OETIO). Mobile Crane Today by D. H. Campbell, Montréal, International Union of Operating Engineers, local 905, 2002, 1 v. IUOI, local 905. 
    Tel.: 514 326-9412; Fax: 514 326-9417
    www.oetio.com 

  • QUÉBEC (PROVINCE). Safety Code for the Construction Industry: S-2.1, r.6:, Sainte‑Foy, Éditeur officiel du Québec, 2003, xvii, 260 p.
    Publications du Québec: Tel.: 1 800 463-2100; Fax.: 1 800 561-3479
    Note: This publication is also available on the Web:
    www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca