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['Cranes, Lifts, and Scaffolding']
['Cranes, Lifts, and Scaffolding']
11/07/2023
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
Institute
Cranes, Lifts, and Scaffolding
Safety & Health
Cranes, Lifts, and Scaffolding
General Industry Safety
What Would you Do Questions
English
Analysis
Focus Area
USA
Crane operator training
Scenario: Jack was a stickler for details, and on this day, he was even more particular than usual. He was to hoist a large air conditioning unit to the top of a new office building using a telescopic crane with a load limit of 40 tons. The air conditioning unit was only 12 tons. Philip, the foreman for the job, wanted the lift done immediately. “Jack, can you hurry up and get that up on the roof?”
“I checked the load chart and there’s a problem. If I use this crane, the load could cause the crane to tip or the telescopic boom to fail.”
“Why is that? The crane is rated for 40 tons.”
“That’s true, but the telescopic boom is going to be extended the full length and the load chart says it’s too much weight hanging out there. Plus, the wind is at 15 mph and that’s going to put even more strain on the boom.”
“It’s going to get even windier later. We need to get that up now!” Philip put the pressure on Jack.
Question: Should Jack perform the lift against his better judgment?
Click below to see answer.
Crane operator training: Answer
Answer: No. Jack should not make the lift. Per OSHA, crane operators have the authority to stop operation whenever there is a safety concern. At 29 CFR 1926.1418 it states, “…the operator must have the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads until a qualified person has determined that safety has been assured.”
cranes-lifts-and-scaffolding
Cranes, Lifts, and Scaffolding
cranes-lifts-and-scaffolding
Cranes, Lifts, and Scaffolding
Scenario: Jack was a stickler for details, and on this day, he was even more particular than usual. He was to hoist a large air conditioning unit to the top of a new office building using a telescopic crane with a load limit of 40 tons. The air conditioning unit was only 12 tons. Philip, the foreman for the job, wanted the lift done immediately. “Jack, can you hurry up and get that up on the roof?”
“I checked the load chart and there’s a problem. If I use this crane, the load could cause the crane to tip or the telescopic boom to fail.”
“Why is that? The crane is rated for 40 tons.”
“That’s true, but the telescopic boom is going to be extended the full length and the load chart says it’s too much weight hanging out there. Plus, the wind is at 15 mph and that’s going to put even more strain on the boom.”
“It’s going to get even windier later. We need to get that up now!” Philip put the pressure on Jack.
Question: Should Jack perform the lift against his better judgment?
Click below to see answer.
Crane operator training: Answer
Answer: No. Jack should not make the lift. Per OSHA, crane operators have the authority to stop operation whenever there is a safety concern. At 29 CFR 1926.1418 it states, “…the operator must have the authority to stop and refuse to handle loads until a qualified person has determined that safety has been assured.”
Scenario: Jack was a stickler for details, and on this day, he was even more particular than usual. He was to hoist a large air conditioning unit to the top of a new office building using a telescopic crane with a load limit of 40 tons. The air conditioning unit was only 12 tons. Philip, the foreman for the job, wanted the lift done immediately. “Jack, can you hurry up and get that up on the roof?”
“I checked the load chart and there’s a problem. If I use this crane, the load could cause the crane to tip or the telescopic boom to fail.”
“Why is that? The crane is rated for 40 tons.”
“That’s true, but the telescopic boom is going to be extended the full length and the load chart says it’s too much weight hanging out there. Plus, the wind is at 15 mph and that’s going to put even more strain on the boom.”
“It’s going to get even windier later. We need to get that up now!” Philip put the pressure on Jack.
Question: Should Jack perform the lift against his better judgment?
Click below to see answer.
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Answer
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.