22 Slings & Hitches Practice Questions & Answers

1. 1. A steel fitting must be lifted where acid fumes and mists are present. Which synthetic web sling is the correct selection for that environment?

   • A.A polyester web sling, because polyester resists acid exposure✓ Answer
   • B.A web sling with aluminum fittings, because aluminum resists acid
   • C.A polypropylene web sling, because it is immune to every chemical
   • D.A nylon web sling, because nylon absorbs acid without losing strength

   Nylon web slings are kept out of areas where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of acids or phenolics are present, because acid attacks the nylon fiber itself and takes away strength that no visual inspection can reliably find. Polyester is the acid-resistant synthetic, so it is the correct selection here; the caustic rule is the mirror image, where polyester, polypropylene and aluminum fittings are the ones excluded.

   Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(i); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

2. 2. Caustic solutions are present at a work area. Which sling should be kept out of that area?

   • A.An alloy chain sling, because caustics attack the welds in the links
   • B.A polyester web sling, because caustic solutions degrade polyester fibers✓ Answer
   • C.A nylon web sling, because caustics attack nylon faster than any fiber
   • D.A metal mesh sling, because caustic solutions attack its brazed joints

   Polyester and polypropylene web slings, and any web sling with aluminum fittings, are excluded from areas where caustics are present, because alkaline chemicals break down polyester fiber and corrode aluminum hardware. Nylon is the fiber that tolerates caustics, which is why candidates must keep the two halves of the rule straight: nylon is the acid problem, polyester is the caustic problem.

   Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(i); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

3. 3. A choker hitch is rigged with a tight, sharp angle of choke, well under 120 degrees. How does that affect the rated load of the sling in that hitch?

   • A.The rated load stays at the sling's normal choker rating in every case
   • B.The rated load may be raised toward the sling's vertical hitch rating
   • C.The rated load must be lowered below the sling's normal choker rating✓ Answer
   • D.The rated load may be taken from the sling's basket hitch column

   Published choker ratings assume an angle of choke of about 120 degrees or more. A tighter choke forces a sharper bend at the point where the sling passes through its own eye and concentrates stress there, so the rated load must be reduced further, by the amount the manufacturer or a qualified person specifies.

   Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

4. 4. A basket hitch is often shown at up to twice the sling's vertical rating. What must be true for that full basket value to apply?

   • A.Both legs hang vertically, the load is balanced, and the D/d ratio is adequate✓ Answer
   • B.Both legs rest on a square corner, which locks the sling and stops sliding
   • C.Both legs spread to any angle, as long as the sling never touches an edge
   • D.Both legs pass through one eye, so the sling tightens itself onto the load

   The doubled basket value assumes two legs sharing the load in pure tension straight down. As the legs spread away from vertical the tension in each leg climbs and the basket capacity falls, and bending the sling around a small diameter cuts its efficiency, so an adequate D/d ratio and a balanced load that will not slip are part of the same condition.

   Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

5. 5. A rigger needs the choker rating for a sling on the job. Which statement about choker ratings is correct?

   • A.The choker rating varies with sling material, so it is read from the tag or chart✓ Answer
   • B.The choker rating is marked on chain slings only, so others use vertical values
   • C.The choker rating equals the vertical rating when the sling is in good condition
   • D.The choker rating is the same percentage of vertical for every sling material

   A choker hitch is rated below the same sling's vertical hitch because the sling bends back sharply on itself at the choke point, and how much strength that bend costs depends on the sling's construction. Wire rope, chain, web and roundslings do not all lose the same fraction, so the rigger reads the choker column on the tag or capacity chart rather than applying one remembered percentage to every sling.

   Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

6. 6. A sling is several feet longer than the pick needs. Which way of shortening it is acceptable?

   • A.Put a bolt through the two sling legs to hold them at the right length
   • B.Use a rated fitting made for that sling, or pick a sling of the right length✓ Answer
   • C.Tie a knot in the sling body, keeping the knot well clear of the load's edges
   • D.Wrap the extra length around the hook and seat the eye over the wraps

   Slings shall not be shortened with knots, bolts or other makeshift devices. A knot creates a sharp bend and crushing at one spot that can cut a sling's strength roughly in half, and a bolt loads the sling across a tiny bearing area it was never designed for. The only correct answers are a shortening fitting rated for that sling, or a sling of the right length.

   Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(c); OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251Report a problem with this question

7. 7. Just before the slack is taken up, a rigger sees a twist in one sling leg and a kink in another. What should be done?

   • A.Leave the twists alone, because a twisted leg grips the load better
   • B.Add a second sling at each leg so the twisted legs carry less load
   • C.Take the slack up slowly, because tension pulls twists and kinks out
   • D.Straighten both legs so each lies flat and free of twists before lifting✓ Answer

   Sling legs shall not be kinked, and a twisted leg does not carry load evenly across its width or across its strands, so part of the sling is overloaded while the rest carries little. Tension does not remove a twist or a kink; it sets the damage in. The legs are straightened before the load is taken.

   Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(c); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

8. 8. A sling eye is being placed over a hook. Which practice is correct?

   • A.The eye must seat on a hook that fits it without forcing or spreading it✓ Answer
   • B.The eye may be driven over a larger hook as long as the stitching stays sound
   • C.The eye may be doubled over the hook to take up extra sling length
   • D.The eye should ride on the hook tip so it can shift as the load rises

   A hook or fitting that is too wide stretches the eye and bends the sling over too small a radius at the throat, and both effects strip capacity from the sling. The eye must fit the hook freely and seat in the bowl, not on the tip, where the load would be applied to the point the hook is weakest.

   Source: ASME B30.9 Slings; ASME B30.10 HooksReport a problem with this question

9. 9. A steel weldment with hot surfaces and sharp, unfinished edges must be moved out of a fabrication bay. Which sling is the best selection?

   • A.A polyester roundsling, which spreads the load over a wide area
   • B.An alloy chain sling, which stands up to heat and rough edges✓ Answer
   • C.A fiber rope sling, which is not affected by heat or sharp edges
   • D.A nylon web sling, which cushions the load and resists heat well

   Alloy steel chain is the sling class that tolerates elevated temperature and abrasive, sharp material, because a chain link is not cut by an edge the way a fiber sling is and steel keeps useful strength where synthetics melt or char. Synthetic web, roundslings and fiber rope are the first to fail on both counts.

   Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

10. 10. A mill handles bar stock whose rough, abrasive surfaces cut through web slings quickly. Which sling is best suited to that service?

    • A.A fiber rope sling, which rough surfaces cannot cut or wear down
    • B.A polyester roundsling, whose cover keeps the core yarns from wear
    • C.A metal mesh sling, which resists abrasion and conforms to the load✓ Answer
    • D.A nylon web sling, which resists abrasion better than any metal sling

    Metal mesh is built for abrasive, rough or hot loads: the woven steel fabric wears far more slowly than fiber and it flattens out to grip the load without point loading it. A roundsling cover is a wear indicator, not armor, and abrasion that reaches the core yarns retires the sling.

    Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

11. 11. A machined shaft with a polished finish must be lifted without marking the surface. Which sling is the correct selection?

    • A.A polyester roundsling, which is soft against the finished surface✓ Answer
    • B.A bare wire rope sling, which leaves no marks on polished steel
    • C.An alloy chain sling, which grips the shaft without marking it
    • D.A metal mesh sling, whose open weave never touches the finish

    Synthetic roundslings and web slings are the choice for finished, painted or delicate surfaces because the soft body conforms and spreads the bearing area instead of digging in. Chain, bare wire rope and metal mesh are all steel on steel and will dent, scratch or print the polished surface.

    Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

12. 12. A polyester roundsling will pass over the edge of a steel plate. Under ASME B30.9, what decides whether edge protection is needed, and what must that protection do?

    • A.Whether the edge feels sharp to the hand; a smooth-feeling edge needs nothing
    • B.Whether the edge radius meets what the maker recommends; it must resist cuts✓ Answer
    • C.Whether the sling is new; a new sling can take an unprotected plate edge
    • D.Whether the lift is short; a quick pick needs no protection at the edge

    For synthetic slings the deciding factor is corner radius, not how sharp the edge feels: a radius smaller than the manufacturer recommends will cut or crush the sling under load even if the edge seems smooth. Protection is required in that case, and it must have enough strength, thickness and construction that the sling cannot cut through it.

    Source: ASME B30.9 Slings; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(c)Report a problem with this question

13. 13. The lift is finished and the slings are being put away for the day. Which practice is correct?

    • A.Store them clean and dry on a rack, away from sunlight and chemicals✓ Answer
    • B.Drag them over the shop floor to the rack instead of carrying them
    • C.Leave them on the floor beside the load so they are ready for tomorrow
    • D.Store them coiled inside a chemical tote, which keeps moisture off

    Rigging not in use is removed from the immediate work area so it is not a tripping or struck-by hazard, and slings are stored off the ground where they stay clean and dry. Dragging a sling grinds abrasive grit into the fibers or strands, and sunlight, moisture and chemical contact degrade synthetics between lifts, where nobody is watching.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251(a); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

14. 14. A load has been landed and is resting on the slings. What is the correct way to free the slings?

    • A.Leave the slings under the load and cut them off at the tag end
    • B.Pull the slings out with the hoist, since the slings are rated for it
    • C.Pull the slings out by hand, as long as nobody stands near the load
    • D.Lift the load, set it down on blocking, then pull the slings by hand✓ Answer

    A sling shall not be pulled from under a load that is resting on it. Dragging it out abrades and cuts the sling against the load and the ground, and it can shift or topple the load onto whoever is pulling. Landing the load on blocking leaves clearance so the slings lift out freely.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(c); OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251Report a problem with this question

15. 15. A synthetic web sling is used again and again close to a heat source above the temperature range on its tag. What is the consequence?

    • A.The webbing shrinks and tightens, which raises the rated capacity of the sling
    • B.The webbing is unaffected, because heat only damages the metal fittings
    • C.The webbing stiffens, which spreads the load across more of its width
    • D.The webbing loses strength and can melt or char, so it is removed✓ Answer

    Synthetic fibers soften and lose load-carrying ability well before they visibly fail, and heat damage is cumulative over repeated exposures. Melting or charring of any part of the sling surface is a removal condition, so a sling worked above its tag temperature range is taken out of service rather than derated by the rigger.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(i); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

16. 16. An alloy steel chain sling has been used in service at elevated temperatures. How does that affect its use?

    • A.Its working load is unchanged, because alloy steel chain is not affected by heat
    • B.Its working load may be increased, because heat anneals and toughens links
    • C.Its working load applies again once the chain is quenched in water to cool
    • D.Its working load is reduced per the manufacturer, and severe heat retires it✓ Answer

    Heat changes the metallurgy of alloy chain: above a moderate service temperature the working load limit must be reduced by the amount the manufacturer specifies, and chain taken to a severe temperature is permanently removed from service. Quenching a hot chain in water does not restore it; rapid cooling can make the links more brittle.

    Source: ASME B30.9 Slings; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(e)Report a problem with this question

17. 17. A rigger uses a double-wrap choker instead of a single choker on a bundle of round stock. What does the double wrap accomplish?

    • A.It removes the need for edge protection by spreading the contact area
    • B.It doubles the sling's rated capacity, because two parts carry the load
    • C.It grips the bundle all the way around and holds the pieces together✓ Answer
    • D.It changes the hitch to a basket, so the basket rating may be used

    A double wrap puts the sling in full 360-degree contact with the bundle so loose pieces cannot slip out and the load cannot roll inside the hitch. It is a control measure, not a capacity measure: the hitch is still a choker and is still rated as a choker.

    Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

18. 18. A smooth round tank is picked in a single basket hitch with both legs close together near the middle. What is the hazard and the correct fix?

    • A.The sling can stretch; shorten one leg until the tank hangs level
    • B.The load can slide out; spread the legs apart or add a second basket✓ Answer
    • C.The load can tip; add weight to the light end until it hangs level
    • D.The hook can spin; tie the two legs together above the tank shell

    A basket hitch holds only by friction and geometry, so the load in a basket must be balanced to prevent slippage and the sling must be securely attached. On a smooth cylinder with the legs bunched at the middle there is nothing to stop the tank sliding out of the basket, and the answer is to widen the contact points or use two baskets spaced along the shell.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(c); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

19. 19. A natural fiber rope sling is proposed for outdoor work where it will stay wet and see chemical splash. Why is that a poor selection?

    • A.Fiber rope carries no rated capacity, so every use of it is barred
    • B.Fiber rope rots and is attacked by chemicals, and it cannot be repaired✓ Answer
    • C.Fiber rope may be used only in a basket hitch, never in a choker
    • D.Fiber rope stretches so much that the load is nearly always lifted off level

    Natural fiber rope degrades from the inside out: moisture brings rot and discoloration, chemical contact cuts strands and powders the fiber, and the damage often shows only when the rope is opened between strands. Fiber rope slings also may not be repaired or reconditioned, so a damaged one is scrapped, which makes it a poor pick for wet, chemically exposed service.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(h); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

20. 20. A fiber core wire rope sling would be used near a furnace where temperatures run well above the limit on its tag. What is the correct decision?

    • A.Use a water spray between picks to cool the sling and keep it in service
    • B.Use the sling at half its rated load, which offsets the loss from heat
    • C.Use a sling rated for that temperature, since the fiber core degrades unseen✓ Answer
    • D.Use the sling, since the steel wires carry the load and the core does not

    The fiber core supports and spaces the strands, so when heat destroys it the strands lose their bed, shift and lose strength even though the outside of the rope can still look sound. A fiber core wire rope sling exposed above its temperature limit is permanently removed from service, so the correct decision is to select a sling rated for the heat.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184(f); ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

21. 21. A long bundle of pipe must be lifted and kept from spreading apart. Which rigging arrangement is correct?

    • A.One single choker taken at the midpoint of the bundle
    • B.One basket hitch with both legs gathered at the middle
    • C.Two double-wrap chokers spaced well apart along the bundle✓ Answer
    • D.Two vertical hitches on the outer pipes of the bundle

    Two chokers spaced well apart control both ends of a long bundle so it cannot pivot or seesaw, and the double wrap closes the hitch around the full circumference so individual pipes cannot slide out. A single hitch at the midpoint leaves both ends free to swing and lets the bundle spill.

    Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

22. 22. A machine housing has one lifting eye set directly above its center of gravity. Which hitch is the right choice?

    • A.A basket hitch under the housing, since a basket always doubles capacity
    • B.A choker hitch around the housing, since a choke holds a load tighter
    • C.A vertical hitch plus a choker, since two hitches share the load evenly
    • D.A vertical hitch from that eye, since it lies over the center of gravity✓ Answer

    A single vertical hitch is the right hitch when the load has an attachment point above its center of gravity, because the sling pulls straight up through the center of gravity and the load hangs level without tilting or swinging. A choker adds an unnecessary bend and a lower rating, and a basket under a housing that already has a designed lifting eye ignores the attachment the load was built for.

    Source: ASME B30.9 SlingsReport a problem with this question

Practice questions built from the published NCCCO Rigger Level I written examination outline and the consensus rigging practices of the ASME B30 series and the OSHA rigging regulations. CCO and NCCCO are marks of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators; this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by NCCCO. This bank covers the WRITTEN examination only — Rigger Level I certification also requires a hands-on practical examination that no multiple-choice question can prepare you for, and there is no substitute for supervised practice with real gear. Capacity always comes from the identification tag and the manufacturer's rating for the specific sling, shackle or device in your hands, never from a practice question. Confirm current requirements with NCCCO before testing. Official exam outline →