Which statement is true regarding cribbing in lifting over a floor with limited bearing capacity?

Which statement is true regarding cribbing in lifting over a floor with limited bearing capacity?

• A. Cribbing reduces bearing area
• B. Cribbing increases surface bearing area
• C. Cribbing increases the floor weight
• D. Cribbing has no effect on the lift

Answer: (B)

Cribbing is used to spread the load over a larger area so the floor isn’t subjected to a small, high-pressure point. When a lift occurs over a floor with limited bearing capacity, the risk comes from concentrated force where the load first contacts the floor. By placing cribbing under the load, you increase the contact surface—the bearing area—so the same total weight is distributed across more area. This lowers the pressure per unit area on the floor, helping prevent overloading any single point, crushing, or excessive deflection. It doesn’t increase the floor’s weight-bearing capacity by adding mass; it changes how the load is distributed to keep it within what the floor can safely support.

Cribbing is used to spread the load over a larger area so the floor isn’t subjected to a small, high-pressure point. When a lift occurs over a floor with limited bearing capacity, the risk comes from concentrated force where the load first contacts the floor. By placing cribbing under the load, you increase the contact surface—the bearing area—so the same total weight is distributed across more area. This lowers the pressure per unit area on the floor, helping prevent overloading any single point, crushing, or excessive deflection. It doesn’t increase the floor’s weight-bearing capacity by adding mass; it changes how the load is distributed to keep it within what the floor can safely support.