What it is: a standard covering the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, use and replacement of wire rope, hybrid rope and synthetic fiber rope on equipment covered by the ASME B30 series. Publisher: ASME.
Where to get it: the official page is asme.org (2019 edition); an ANSI webstore listing also shows a 2023 edition. It is copyrighted and sold, not free. Checked September 19, 2026.
Proof that the exam uses it
The certifying body's Mobile Crane Operator Candidate Handbook, revision 1/25 (PDF) lists this in its Reference List (listed as ASME B30.30, Ropes, with www.asme.org). That list states that the most recent versions of the listed references are used by the body's written examination committee to verify the accuracy of test questions. Source checked October 15, 2026. Ask the certifying body for the current edition of the handbook before you rely on this, because the list can change.
What to focus on
The exam outline covers wire rope types and designations, replacement criteria and inspection of running ropes, maintenance and lubrication, standing rope replacement, and the relation between line pull and safe working load. B30.30's sections on inspection, removal criteria and design factors are the closest match.
Key ideas in short
- Inspect ropes before each shift and periodically; look for broken wires, corrosion, kinks, crushing and other damage.
- Remove a rope from service when it meets the removal criteria, not when it finally fails.
- The rope's strength, the number of parts of line and the design factor set the limit on line pull.
This article describes the document in our own words. It does not reproduce the standard or book. Buy or borrow the current edition from the publisher to read it.
Related lessons on this site: see the Core courses and the specialty courses under Learn in the main menu.