The 50% capacity rule for personnel platforms applies at which radius?

The 50% capacity rule for personnel platforms applies at which radius?

• A. Closest radius
• B. Any radius
• C. Farthest necessary radius
• D. Zero radius

Answer: (C)

When using a personnel platform, the crane’s capacity decreases as the radius increases, so you must apply a safety reduction at the reach that will actually be used. The 50% rule is applied at the farthest radius needed for the job to ensure there’s a generous margin for dynamic loads, platform weight, and wind or movement. By limiting the platform load to half of the crane’s rated capacity at that farthest reach, you stay within safe limits for all closer radii as well. Using the farthest necessary radius is the controlling point for planning the lift. The other options don’t reflect the practical need to be conservative at the maximum reach.