OSHA crane hoisting personnel practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1926.1431. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Crane hoisting personnel
20 questions across 7 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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When hoisting personnel is permitted
1. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(a), who must demonstrate that conventional means of reaching the work area would be more hazardous, or are not possible, before equipment may be used to hoist employees?
- A. The equipment operator
- B. The employer
- C. The signal person
- D. The employees to be hoisted
Show answer
Answer: B. The employer
"The use of equipment to hoist employees is prohibited except where the employer demonstrates that the erection, use, and dismantling of conventional means of reaching the work area ... would be more hazardous, or is not possible because of the project's structural design or worksite conditions."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
2. Which work does 29 CFR 1926.1431(a) say its restriction on using equipment to hoist employees does not apply to?
- A. Work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection) of part 1926
- B. Work covered by subpart V (Power Transmission and Distribution) of part 1926
- C. Hoisting employees for marine transfer
- D. Hoisting employees in chimney operations
Show answer
Answer: A. Work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection) of part 1926
"This paragraph does not apply to work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection) of this part and also does not apply to routine personnel access to an underground worksite via shaft as covered by § 1926.800 (Underground Construction) of this part."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
3. What drill shaft diameter does 29 CFR 1926.1431(b)(2)(i) set for the exception under which a personnel platform is not required for hoisting employees into and out of drill shafts?
- A. Up to and including 4 feet
- B. Over 8 feet
- C. Up to and including 8 feet
- D. Up to and including 12 feet
Show answer
Answer: C. Up to and including 8 feet
A personnel platform is not required for hoisting employees "Into and out of drill shafts that are up to and including 8 feet in diameter", with paragraph (o) setting the requirements for hoisting these employees.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
4. 29 CFR 1926.1431(n) prohibits hoisting personnel near power lines at set distances. Which work is excepted from that prohibition?
- A. Work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection)
- B. Work in storage-tank operations
- C. Work at a marine worksite
- D. Work covered by subpart V (Power Transmission and Distribution)
Show answer
Answer: D. Work covered by subpart V (Power Transmission and Distribution)
Hoisting personnel near power lines at those distances "is prohibited, except for work covered by subpart V of this part (Power Transmission and Distribution)."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Equipment set-up, capacity and devices
5. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(c)(1), who must have determined that the footing the equipment is located on is sufficiently firm and stable?
- A. A qualified person
- B. The equipment operator
- C. A competent person
- D. The signal person
Show answer
Answer: A. A qualified person
The equipment must be "located on footing that a qualified person has determined to be sufficiently firm and stable."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
6. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(d)(5)(vii), what must happen if a required device stops working properly during personnel hoisting operations?
- A. The competent person may approve an alternative measure
- B. The lift may continue if the signal person watches the boom
- C. The operator must safely stop operations, and they must not resume until the device is again working properly
- D. The current lift may be finished and the device tagged out afterward
Show answer
Answer: C. The operator must safely stop operations, and they must not resume until the device is again working properly
"If a device stops working properly during such operations, the operator must safely stop operations. Personnel hoisting operations must not resume until the device is again working properly. Alternative measures are not permitted."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
7. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(d)(5), which equipment must be equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload protection device?
- A. Derricks
- B. Articulating cranes
- C. Equipment with a luffing jib
- D. Equipment with telescoping booms
Show answer
Answer: B. Articulating cranes
"Articulating cranes must be equipped with a properly functioning automatic overload protection device." Luffing jibs and telescoping booms have their own device requirements, and derricks are excluded from the variable angle boom list.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
8. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(d)(5)(v), for which work does the rule's exception say the anti two-block device is not required when hoisting personnel?
- A. Work covered by subpart R (Steel Erection)
- B. Equipment that travels on fixed rails
- C. Lifts with a boom-attached personnel platform
- D. Pile driving operations
Show answer
Answer: D. Pile driving operations
"Exception: This device is not required when hoisting personnel in pile driving operations. Instead, paragraph (p)(2) of this section specifies how to prevent two-blocking during such operations."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Personnel platform design and loading
9. A personnel platform was designed to hold four employees, and the task needs two. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(f)(4), what is the largest number of employees who may occupy the platform?
- A. Four
- B. Three
- C. Five
- D. Two
Show answer
Answer: D. Two
"The number of employees occupying the personnel platform must not exceed the maximum number the platform was designed to hold or the number required to perform the work, whichever is less." Here the lesser number is two.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
10. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(e)(8)(i), when may a personnel platform's access gate/door swing outward?
- A. Whenever the gate is equipped with a latch
- B. When, due to the size of the platform, such as a 1-person platform, it is infeasible for the door to swing inward and allow safe entry
- C. When the platform is landed
- D. When a competent person approves it at the pre-lift meeting
Show answer
Answer: B. When, due to the size of the platform, such as a 1-person platform, it is infeasible for the door to swing inward and allow safe entry
"If due to the size of the personnel platform, such as a 1-person platform, it is infeasible for the door to swing inward and allow safe entry for the platform occupant, then the access gate/door may swing outward."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Attachment and rigging
11. What does 29 CFR 1926.1431(g)(5) say about the past use of the bridles and associated rigging that suspend the personnel platform?
- A. They must not have been used for any purpose other than hoisting personnel
- B. They may have been used for materials if proof tested
- C. They must be new for each jobsite
- D. They may have been used for any lift within their rated capacity
Show answer
Answer: A. They must not have been used for any purpose other than hoisting personnel
"The bridles and associated rigging must not have been used for any purpose other than hoisting personnel."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
12. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(g)(1)(ii), what must shackles used in place of hooks be?
- A. Of any type rated for five times the load
- B. Of the round pin type without a retaining pin
- C. Of the alloy anchor type, with either a bolt, nut and retaining pin in place, or of the screw type with the screw pin secured from accidental removal
- D. Of the type approved by the signal person
Show answer
Answer: C. Of the alloy anchor type, with either a bolt, nut and retaining pin in place, or of the screw type with the screw pin secured from accidental removal
"Shackles used in place of hooks must be of the alloy anchor type, with either" a bolt, nut and retaining pin in place, or "Of the screw type, with the screw pin secured from accidental removal."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Trial lift, inspection and proof testing
13. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(h)(2)(ii), when is a repeat trial lift not required after the lift route is changed?
- A. When the competent person determines that the new route presents no new factors affecting safety
- B. When the operator has used the new route before
- C. When the change happens within the same shift
- D. When the proof test has already been passed
Show answer
Answer: A. When the competent person determines that the new route presents no new factors affecting safety
The trial lift must be repeated when "The lift route is changed, unless the competent person determines that the new route presents no new factors affecting safety."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
14. Immediately prior to each lift of personnel, which condition must a competent person determine to exist under 29 CFR 1926.1431(h)(5)(ii)?
- A. The test weight from the trial lift is still on the platform
- B. Multiple part lines are twisted around each other
- C. The load rope is kept slack until the platform leaves the ground
- D. The primary attachment is centered over the platform
Show answer
Answer: D. The primary attachment is centered over the platform
The listed conditions "must be determined by a competent person to exist before the lift of personnel proceeds", including: "The primary attachment must be centered over the platform." The same list says "Multiple part lines must not be twisted around each other."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Work practices and pre-lift meeting
15. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(k)(8)(i), when wind speed (sustained or gusts) exceeds 20 mph at the personnel platform, who must determine whether it is not safe to lift personnel?
- A. The equipment operator
- B. The signal person
- C. A qualified person
- D. The person responsible for the task
Show answer
Answer: C. A qualified person
"When wind speed (sustained or gusts) exceeds 20 mph at the personnel platform, a qualified person must determine if, in light of the wind conditions, it is not safe to lift personnel."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
16. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(k)(7)(iii), where the personnel platform is equipped with controls, where must the platform operating manual be while the platform is occupied?
- A. In the site office
- B. In the platform or on the equipment
- C. With the competent person on the ground
- D. At the employer's main office
Show answer
Answer: B. In the platform or on the equipment
Where the platform is equipped with controls, all of the listed conditions must be met at all times while the platform is occupied, including: "The platform operating manual must be in the platform or on the equipment."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
17. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(k)(4), if the personnel platform is tied to the structure, when may the operator move the platform?
- A. When the signal person sounds a horn
- B. When five minutes have passed since the tie was made
- C. When the competent person signs the lift plan
- D. When the operator receives confirmation that it is freely suspended
Show answer
Answer: D. When the operator receives confirmation that it is freely suspended
"If the platform is tied to the structure, the operator must not move the platform until the operator receives confirmation that it is freely suspended."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Drill shafts, pile driving, marine and tank operations
18. When an employee is hoisted on a boatswain's chair into or out of a drill shaft up to and including 8 feet in diameter, where does 29 CFR 1926.1431(o)(3)(ii) say a signal person must be stationed?
- A. At the shaft opening
- B. At the equipment controls
- C. Inside the drill shaft
- D. At the boom tip
Show answer
Answer: A. At the shaft opening
"A signal person must be stationed at the shaft opening."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
19. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(r)(3)(iv), what must each employee wear when hoisted in a marine-hoisted personnel transfer device?
- A. A full body harness attached to the overhaul ball
- B. A U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation device approved for industrial use
- C. A hard hat with a chin strap only
- D. A harness attached to the transfer device
Show answer
Answer: B. A U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation device approved for industrial use
"Each employee must wear a U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation device approved for industrial use."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)
20. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431(s)(1), in storage-tank, shaft and chimney operations, when must a boatswain's chair be used instead of a personnel platform?
- A. When the operator prefers it
- B. When only one employee is hoisted
- C. When the employer can demonstrate that use of a personnel platform is infeasible
- D. When the wind exceeds 20 mph
Show answer
Answer: C. When the employer can demonstrate that use of a personnel platform is infeasible
"The employee must be in a personnel platform except when the employer can demonstrate that use of a personnel platform is infeasible; in such a case, a boatswain's chair must be used."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1431, Hoisting personnel (as of Nov 4, 2026)