NYC Sanitation Practice Test

1. B
The primary duty of a New York City Sanitation Worker is to collect, remove, and dispose of refuse and recyclables, as well as handle street cleaning and snow removal.

2. C
To prevent back injuries, the safest lifting method is to bend your knees and lift with your legs, keeping your back straight.

3. B
DSNY stands for the Department of Sanitation New York.

4. B
If a bag is leaking an unknown liquid, a sanitation worker should immediately notify a supervisor and follow hazardous waste protocol. Never handle or dispose of unknown hazardous materials without proper guidance.

5. A
The New York City Department of Sanitation is primarily responsible for street cleaning and waste management, including garbage and recycling collection and snow removal.

6. A
In NYC, paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastic are required to be placed in the recycling stream.

7. B
Personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety boots, gloves, and a reflective vest are required for sanitation workers to ensure their safety on the job.

8. C
If a mechanical issue occurs with a sanitation truck, the worker should immediately report the issue to their supervisor to ensure it’s addressed safely and professionally.

9. B
For snow removal duty, sanitation workers are likely to operate front-end loaders or snowplows.

10. C
The maximum allowable weight for an individual trash bag in NYC is 40 pounds.

11. C
A street sweeper’s role is to clean streets and remove debris, including litter and grime.

12. B
During hot summer months, sanitation workers should stay hydrated and take breaks as needed to prevent heat-related illnesses.

13. C
If a resident improperly disposes of hazardous waste, sanitation workers should report it according to DSNY procedures rather than handling it themselves.

14. B
When operating a sanitation truck, a worker must always have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and follow all traffic laws.

15. B
New York City sanitation trucks are typically painted white.

16. B
In NYC, “organic waste” refers to yard trimmings, food scraps, and other compostable items.

17. B
If a sanitation worker suffers a serious injury on duty, the proper response is to immediately call for emergency medical assistance.

18. C
Furniture and appliances are considered “bulk waste” in NYC and require a special scheduled pickup.

19. A
When working in icy conditions, sanitation workers should wear slip-resistant footwear to prevent falls and injuries.

20. A
DSNY conducts special collections for hazardous waste and electronics, which cannot be disposed of with regular trash or recycling.

21. B
The purpose of DSNY’s recycling education programs is to ensure public compliance with recycling laws and promote proper waste separation.

22. B
A sanitation worker’s shift schedule is often comprised of rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as the job requires round-the-clock operation.

23. C
If a sanitation worker is unsure how to handle a suspicious item, they should follow DSNY safety protocols and notify supervisors or 911 immediately.

24. C
Under NYC rules, plastic bags are not considered recyclable in the curbside program and should not be placed with other recyclables.

25. C
All NYC sanitation workers must complete DSNY training and obtain a CDL certification before operating heavy equipment.

26. B
The Operations Division of DSNY is responsible for snow and ice removal from city streets.

27. B
If a sanitation worker sees unsafe behavior from a coworker, the correct action is to immediately report it to a supervisor to prevent accidents and injuries.

28. A
Laptops and televisions are part of NYC’s e-waste recycling program.

29. C
Sanitation workers wear reflective vests to increase their visibility to drivers and prevent accidents, especially in low-light conditions.

30. A
The NYC “Zero Waste” goal is to reduce landfill use by recycling and composting.

31. A
During collection, sanitation workers must always ride on the outside steps safely and securely.

32. B
The penalty for illegal dumping in NYC is a fine and possible vehicle impoundment.

33. C
The Department of Transportation (DOT) works closely with DSNY during snowstorms.

34. A
Sanitation workers are expected to demonstrate qualities like physical fitness and teamwork on the job.

35. A
If a sanitation worker suspects exposure to hazardous materials, they should wash immediately and report to a supervisor.

Traffic enforcement agent candidates also prepare with our NYPD exam practice test for the same New York City civil service format and reasoning questions.

School safety agent candidates in New York often also prepare with our NYPD exam practice test — both are NYC civil service exams with similar reading and reasoning question formats.

MTA police exam candidates often also prepare with our NYPD exam practice test for the same New York civil service reading comprehension and reasoning question formats used across transit and metropolitan law enforcement.

HACCP candidates often also prepare with our Food Safety Manager practice test for the food safety protocols and hazard control skills both certifications require.