The following is an outline of the practical testing procedure, as provided to candidates at the time of testing.
CANDIDATE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
The following sections describe the specific tasks you will be performing when taking the Practical Examination. It is important that you understand these instructions. If there is anything you do not understand, please request clarification from the Examiner.
VIEW CANDIDATE VIDEO:
TASKS
The seven tasks that make up the practical examination are:
There is also a Pre-Test Briefing and a Pre-Test Familiarization Period. You will be required to complete all phases of the test in sequence.
You must report to the Test Site at the scheduled time. All candidates shall comply with Test Site requirements concerning personal protective equipment (PPE), which at a minimum shall meet federal OSHA requirements, including hard hats, work books, and site-specific requirements.
The Test Site Coordinator is responsible for setting the testing schedule. If you are familiar with the operation of the test digger derrick, you may elect to test first to allow other candidates time to review the operator’s manuals and load charts. Otherwise, selection shall be by random drawing or by assignment of the Test Site Coordinator.
During the Practical Examination, you are under the direction of the Examiner and must follow the Examiner’s directions at all times.
Once you have completed all of the tests you are taking, you must leave the testing area. Only personnel involved in the administration of the test are allowed in the test area.
OPTIMUM TIMES
For some tasks optimum time limits have been set. If the task is completed within this time period, you receive no time penalty. Other tasks are untimed, as noted below.
Once you exceed this time limit, however, you will lose points on a gradual basis. The optimum time for each task is stated as part of the task descriptions. At one-and-a-half times the optimum time the Examiner may end the task and move on to the next task.
For Tasks 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 7, no optimum time is set. However, to maintain a reasonable time limit for each candidate, maximum times have been set. If the maximum time is exceeded, the Examiner may end the task and move on to the next task.
PRE-TEST BRIEFING
While candidates are waiting to take their tests, they will have sufficient time to read this description of the tasks to be performed and review the operator’s manual and load chart for the digger derrick they will operate. In addition, they will be informed of the make and model of the digger derrick, the maximum boom length, and the weight of the test weight. They will also watch a short video (above) showing all the tasks they will be required to perform during the examination. Candidates must watch the Candidate Video within 24 hours before their practical exam(s).
Note that:
- The digger derrick’s load-limiting system (if the digger derrick is so equipped) has been correctly programmed and will not interfere with the proper operation of the digger derrick.
- The digger derrick has been set up and leveled. A spirit level is available to verify that the digger derrick is level.
- None of the target points has been placed at a radius that exceeds the digger derrick’s rated capacity.
- All hand signals used throughout the test will be in accordance with OSHA Standard Hand Signals.
CIRCUMVENTING THE COURSE
Circumventing the course on the CCO Digger Derrick Operator Practical Exam is defined as when:
- Chain leaves the corridor while on or off the ground and passes more than one pole left still standing on the original string line before re-entering the corridor; you must enter the circles from inside the corridor to avoid this being marked as a deficiency
- Leapfrogs from one leg of the Corridor to another with the chain off the ground
- Chain leapfrogs from one leg of corridor to another with the chain off the ground, outside the corridor
- Chain passes four or more poles consecutively with the chain off the ground, inside the corridor
All points for that task are lost if a circumvention occurs.
UNSAFE ACT
If, at any time during the Pre-Test Familiarization Period or during the test, you commit an unsafe act, you will be disqualified from continuing with the test. An “unsafe act” is defined as an action by a candidate that is uncontrolled or reckless, and is sufficient to cause safety concern for persons or property damage.
The Examiner has the authority to stop the test at any time for reasons of safety. Please ask the Examiner if you have any questions. If you are disqualified due to an unsafe act, you will not be permitted to test on that day.
CANDIDATE ID AND SIGNATURE
Prior to beginning the examination, the Examiner will ask you for a valid (not expired) government-issued photo identification that includes date of birth, such as a driver’s license.
The Examiner will ask you if you have read the Candidate Information and Instructions and will answer any questions you may have. The Examiner will review the weather conditions and ask the candidates to sign indicating that they understand the instructions for the test and that they agree with the Examiner’s assessment of the weather conditions.
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
The Examiner will use an anemometer to check the wind speed and then will record the weather conditions on the score sheet.
The Examiner has the responsibility to determine if weather conditions or equipment problems are such that a test needs to be suspended. If the test is interrupted due to weather conditions or equipment problems, the procedure for restarting is as follows:
- You will resume the test at the beginning of the task you were performing at the time of the interruption, except for Task 4, 5, or 6, when you will go back to the beginning of the subtask, as appropriate.
- You will be entitled to a Pre-Test Familiarization period before resuming the test.
- If testing resumes on a different machine, you must start the test over from the beginning. The first score sheet will be marked as “VOID” with an explanation and returned to NCCCO.
- If the testing is delayed to a different day, the test must be restarted from the beginning.
DIGGER DERRICK WALK AROUND
- You will be allowed a couple of minutes to walk around the digger derrick to ensure proper set-up.
TASK 1: PRE-OPERATIONAL INSPECTION
- You will be asked to identify five checklist items of the digger derrick that are part of the pre-operational inspection. One at a time, you will describe how you would inspect it and what deficiencies you would look for. You have approximately one minute per item.
- Points will be deducted for each incorrectly identified inspection item.
PRE-OPERATION FAMILIARIZATION PERIOD
- You will have up to 10 minutes to get used to the digger derrick to ensure proper operation.
- You will be allowed to run the digger derrick through its functions, except the auger.
- You cannot interfere with the course or test weight, or shadow the corridor.
- If at any point you feel like you are not ready to test, you may disqualify yourself from testing, and will be required to sign to that effect on the Candidate Score Sheet.
TASK 2: CHAIN IN DESIGNATED AREA 2
Optimum time: 1:30 minutes
- When the examiner gives the start signal, timing will begin. You will raise the chain about 10 ft. off the ground to clear obstacles and personnel and land the chain in the landing area.
- You must avoid contacting any part of the course.
- Once the chain is under control in the designated area, the examiner will give you the stop signal.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Dragging or contact of the chain outside of landing area
- Hook touching ground
- Hook or chain contacting any part of the course or truck
- Lifting the chain off the ground after initial contact inside the landing area
- Exceeding optimum time
TASK 3: HAND SIGNALS
This task is not timed.
- The examiner will give you four hand signals to bring the chain back to the original location.
- Any of the following signals may be given, in any order:
- Hoist and stop
- Swing (left or right) and stop
- Lower the load and stop
- Boom (up or down) and stop
- Telescope (in our out) and stop
- Boom down and raise load and stop
- Boom up and lower load and stop
- Any above signal given slowly and stop
- Points will be deducted for missing any of the hand signals
TASK 4A: NEGOTIATE CORRIDOR - FORWARD
Optimum time: 3:30 minutes
- Prior to corridor task, you will be allowed one minute to lift test weight and position it inside the designated area.
- When the examiner gives the start signal, timing will begin. Guide the Test Weight through the corridor.
- Avoid contacting anything, but keep the chain on the ground, and place the test weight inside the circle.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking ball off pole
- Moving pole base off line
- Knocking pole over
- Chain leaving ground
- Passing poles with chain off ground
- Load touching ground
- Circumventing the course
- Exceeding optimum time
- Once in the circle, the examiner will give you the stop signal.
TASK 4B: NEGOTIATE CORRIDOR - REVERSE
Optimum time: 3:30 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal, timing will begin. Guide the test weight back through the corridor.
- Avoid contacting anything, keep the chain on the ground, and place the test weight inside the circle.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking ball off pole
- Moving pole base off line
- Knocking pole over
- Chain leaving ground
- Passing poles with chain off ground
- Load touching ground
- Circumventing the course
- Exceeding optimum time
- Once in the circle, the examiner will give you the stop signal.
TASK 5A: UNSTOW AUGER
Optimum time: 2:45 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal, safely unstow the auger and contact ground in preparation to dig.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Unstowing boom at less than a 45° angle
- Unstowing at high speed
- Shock loading of auger strap
- Leaving boom fully extended/retracted
- Auger contacting ground and left out of plumb
- Intermediate boom extended as auger leaves storage bracket
- Exceeding maximum time
- Indicate to the examiner when you are done.
TASK 5B: AUGER HOLE
Optimum time: 1:45 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal, auger a hole.
- Dig until flights are no longer visible and the examiner gives you the stop signal.
- You may ask for assistance to plumb the auger.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Corkscrewing
- Outrigger coming off ground
- Once the flights are no longer visible, the examiner will give you the stop signal.
TASK 5C: STOW AUGER
Optimum time: 2:00 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal, safely stow auger.
- When ready, signal the proctor to assist in connecting the auger strap to the pin.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Auger off ground for strap attachment
- Stowing at high speed
- Stowing boom at less than a 45° angle
- Improper wind-up procedure
- Improper stowage procedure
- Shock loading of auger strap
- Auger not resting on latch
- Boom extended as auger enters storage bracket
- Exceeding maximum time
- Indicate to the examiner when you are done.
TASK 6A: PICK UP UTILITY POLE
Optimum time: 4 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal, pick up the utility pole and place securely in the guides a few inches off the ground. Keep the pole butt within the designated area.
- You may ask for assistance in the final placement of the utility pole in the guides.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Dragging pole butt outside designated area
- Contacting obstruction
- Pole guides supporting weight of utility pole
- Raising utility pole more than 3 ft.
- Exceeding maximum time
- Once the task is completed, the examiner will give you the stop signal.
- For safety reasons, if at any point you lose control of the utility pole, the examiner will be forced to stop the task and your exam will end.
TASK 6B: PLACE UTILITY POLE IN DESIGNATED AREA
Optimum time: 1:30 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal, timing will begin. Place the utility pole inside the designated area.
- Once inside the area, lower the utility pole until the examiner gives you the stop signal.
- Avoid contacting the ground or obstructions.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Raising utility pole more than 3 ft.
- Contacting PVC pole base/ground
- Pole guides supporting weight of utility pole
- Lowering utility pole out of guides
- Knocking ball off PVC pole
- Knocking PVC pole over
- Exceeding optimum time
- You will then be assisted in putting the utility pole back on the ground.
TASK 7: STOW BOOM IN CRADLE
Optimum time: 1:45 minutes
- When the examiner gives you the start signal stow the boom in cradle.
- Apply safe shut-down procedures prior to leaving operator station.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Boom not fully retracted
- Load line not fully retracted
- Leaving boom out of cradle
- Exceeding maximum time
- Indicate to the examiner when you are done.
POST-TEST PROCEDURES
Once you have completed the Practical Examination:
- The examiner will record your performance.
- The examiner is not permitted to review your score sheet or discuss your performance on the test.
- Exam results will be mailed to you within approximately twelve business days of NCCCO’s receipt of the score sheets from the examiner.
- If you have made formal applications to test on any other machines, return to the candidate briefing area.
- If you have completed all of your tests, you must leave the test site.
PRACTICAL SCORE REPORTING
All candidates receive a score report of their performance. Examination results are mailed to candidates approximately 12 business days after the receipt of Practical Examination score sheets by NCCCO.
Both the Practical Examination and the scoring system have been validated and verified by NCCCO’s pilot testing program. A percentage score of 78 represents the minimum passing score for the Digger Derrick Operator Practical Examination.