Side loading during load movement is permitted only with a freely suspended load.

• A. Freely suspended load
• B. A loaded sling
• C. A trapped load
• D. A fixed load

Answer: (A)

Side loading during movement creates a sideways force on the crane that the structure is not designed to carry as a fixed reaction. When the load is freely suspended, the only connection is the hook or rope, so the load can swing and absorb some of that sideways energy without imposing a rigid lateral load on the crane. If the load is supported by a sling, or is trapped or fixed in place, any side movement would transmit through the rigging or contacts to the crane itself, increasing the risk of component damage, imbalance, or tipping. For that reason, side loading is allowed only when the load is freely suspended, since that setup avoids transmitting sideways forces into the crane.