Common Core Operator Certification Exam Getting …

1 Common core Operator Certification Exam Getting ready guide BC Association for Crane Safety November 2011 2 BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) Getting ready guide Common core Version 6 November 27, 2011 Table of Contents Introduction ..4 Common core Curriculum for all Operators .. 4 Who Should Use This guide .. 4 How to Use This guide .. 4 Section 1 The Exam ..6 Exam Purpose .. 6 What is Certification and why do I need it? .. 6 Where does this exam fit into the whole Certification process?

2 6 Am I writing the right exam? .. 7 After writing this exam, what happens next? .. 7 About the Exam .. 7 How do I apply to take the exam? .. 7 What if I have to reschedule the exam date? .. 7 What is a pass/fail? .. 8 What if I don t pass the exam? .. 8 Exam Questions .. 8 What types of questions are on the exam? .. 8 What are the questions testing? .. 8 Strategies for Success .. 9 Studying .. 9 Minimizing Test Anxiety and Stress .. 9 Before the 10 During the Exam .. 11 Strategies for Answering Multiple Choice Questions.

3 11 Section 2 Exam Topics .. 13 Safety .. 13 About the topic .. 13 Competencies 13 Key study areas .. 13 Communications .. 13 About the topic .. 13 Competencies tested .. 13 Key study areas .. 14 Cranes .. 14 About the topic .. 14 3 BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) Getting ready guide Common core Version 6 November 27, 2011 Competencies tested .. 14 Key study areas .. 15 Rigging and Lifting 15 About the topic .. 15 Competencies tested .. 16 Key study areas .. 16 Hoisting Fundamentals.

4 16 About the topic .. 16 Competencies tested .. 16 Key study areas .. 17 Crane Operations .. 17 About the topic .. 17 Competencies tested .. 17 Key study areas .. 17 Section 3 Practice Questions .. 19 Introduction .. 19 Practice Questions .. 19 Appendix A Commonly Used Equations .. 24 Appendix B Calculator Help 26 Appendix C Practice Question Figures .. 28 Chain Slings .. 28 Nylon Web Slings .. 29 Wire Rope Slings .. 30 Eye Bolts .. 31 Appendix D Glossary of Common Crane Terms .. 32 Appendix E Glossary of Rigging Terms.

5 41 Appendix F Practice Question Answer Key .. 43 4 BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) Getting ready guide Common core Version 6 November 27, 2011 Introduction Common core Curriculum for all Operators As part of the skill development and assessment process, a set of Common core Operator competencies were identified and all crane operators must demonstrate mastery of them, regardless of the eventual crane type for which they become certified. The Common core provides a starting point for training for all crane operators, and includes the basic principles and skills for operation of all types of cranes.

6 Who Should Use This guide This document is for any new or experienced crane Operator preparing to write a crane Operator Certification exam. It may have been a while since you wrote an exam. And if you re like most people, the prospect of writing an exam causes you some anxiety. Use this guide to help you prepare. The better prepared you are, the less stress you will feel, and the better you are likely to perform on the exam. Please note: This Getting ready guide is not a training course. It is provided only to help you prepare for writing this exam.

7 How to Use This guide We want you to succeed. This guide helps you identify how and what to study, where to find study materials, and what to expect on the exam. It also provides example questions in each subject area so you can try a mini-practice exam. Here s how we suggest you use this guide : 1. Make sure you re looking at the right Getting ready guide . There are different guides for each crane type, so make sure you re reading the right one for the exam you intend to write. 2. Skim through the guide from start to finish so you know what s in it.

8 3. Read Section 1 The Exam, so you can picture what the exam looks like, how many questions there are, and the conditions under which you ll be writing it. 4. Read Section 2 Exam Topics. It provides information on each topic covered on your exam, the competencies being tested, and the key study areas. If you re unclear on any topic or competency, read up on it, ask questions, or take some training. 5. Use Section 3 Practice Questions to get a feel for what the questions will be like on your exam.

9 5 BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) Getting ready guide Common core Version 6 November 27, 2011 6. Mark your practice questions using the Answer Key provided in the Appendix. Review any topics that gave you trouble. 7. You are ready to write the exam! 6 BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) Getting ready guide Common core Version 6 November 27, 2011 Section 1 The Exam Exam Purpose What is Certification and why do I need it? The WorkSafeBC regulations state that as of July 1, 2007, all mobile crane, tower crane or boom-truck operators require a valid Operator 's certificate (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation [OHSR], Section ).

10 Operator certificates for these cranes are issued by the BC Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) upon successful completion of a written exam and practical assessment. For more information on Certification , refer to the BCACS website ( ). Where does this exam fit into the whole Certification process? There are four levels of Certification for operators in each category of cranes. Each level is described in detail on the BCACS website ( ). The table below summarizes the differences between each level.