NYC Sanitation Equipment Operation and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the safe maximum load capacity rule that DSNY workers must follow when filling a collection truck?
- Fill until overflow
- Stop at manufacturer's stated gross vehicle weight rating (Correct answer)
- Fill to 75% visual capacity
- Load is determined by driver judgment
Correct answer: Stop at manufacturer's stated gross vehicle weight rating
DSNY workers must not exceed the manufacturer's stated gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to ensure safe operation and road compliance.
Question 2: Which hand signal should a DSNY driver watch for that means 'stop immediately'?
- Raised open palm facing the driver (Correct answer)
- Both arms crossed overhead
- Pointing finger toward the ground
- Circular arm motion
Correct answer: Raised open palm facing the driver
A raised open palm facing the driver is the universal stop signal used by spotters and crew members to halt the truck immediately.
Question 3: What fluid level must be checked daily on a DSNY packer truck before operation?
- Windshield washer fluid
- Hydraulic fluid (Correct answer)
- Exhaust fluid only
- Radiator antifreeze only
Correct answer: Hydraulic fluid
Hydraulic fluid powers the packer mechanism and hopper, making it a critical daily check before any collection truck is operated.
Question 4: A DSNY worker notices a crack in the truck's windshield before starting a route. What is the correct action?
- Proceed but note it in the log
- Tape the crack and continue the route
- Report it and pull the truck from service until repaired (Correct answer)
- Only report it if it obstructs the driver's view
Correct answer: Report it and pull the truck from service until repaired
Any windshield damage must be reported and the vehicle taken out of service until repaired, as it poses a safety and legal compliance risk.
Question 5: What does 'lockout/tagout' mean in the context of DSNY vehicle maintenance?
- Locking the truck in the depot overnight
- Disabling energy sources and tagging equipment before maintenance to prevent accidental activation (Correct answer)
- Tagging routes that are locked for construction
- A security protocol for overnight parking
Correct answer: Disabling energy sources and tagging equipment before maintenance to prevent accidental activation
Lockout/tagout is a safety procedure that disables the truck's energy sources and marks it clearly before maintenance to prevent accidental startup.
Question 6: Which of the following is the correct way to handle a sharps (needles) found in garbage during collection?
- Pick them up with a gloved hand and bag them
- Use tongs or a sharps container — never bare hands or standard gloves (Correct answer)
- Kick them to the side and report to supervisor
- Leave them and continue the route
Correct answer: Use tongs or a sharps container — never bare hands or standard gloves
Sharps must never be handled with bare hands or standard gloves; tongs or a dedicated sharps container must be used to prevent needle-stick injuries.
NYC Sanitation Equipment Operation and Safety 2
What is the safe maximum load capacity rule that DSNY workers must follow when filling a collection truck?