Hooks must not have throat openings more than what percent greater than normal?

• A. 15%
• B. 10%
• C. 5%
• D. 20%

Answer: (A)

In crane hook safety, the throat opening shows how much the hook has worn or deformed. The load must sit securely in the hook and the hook must retain its intended geometry to carry the load safely. The maximum allowable increase over normal throat size is 15 percent. Keeping within this limit helps ensure the load remains seated properly and the hook maintains its strength under load; exceeding it means the hook could fail to hold the load or become overstressed. So 15 percent is the correct limit. A larger increase, like 20 percent, would be unsafe, while smaller percentages are within the allowable range but do not represent the maximum limit.