NYC Sanitation Worker Civil Service Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which NYC program allows residents to drop off household hazardous waste at designated facilities?

SAFE Disposal Events (Correct answer)
NYC HHW Drop-Off Program
GreenWaste Program
NYC CleanUp Initiative

Correct answer: SAFE Disposal Events

NYC DSNY operates SAFE (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics) Disposal Events where residents can drop off HHW at no charge.

Question 2: When working in extreme heat, how often should DSNY workers take a water break according to NYC heat safety guidelines?

Every 15–20 minutes during strenuous work (Correct answer)
Every 2 hours minimum
Only when feeling dizzy
Once per shift

Correct answer: Every 15–20 minutes during strenuous work

Frequent hydration breaks every 15–20 minutes help prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke during physically demanding outdoor work.

Question 3: NYC law requires that trash bags be set out at the curb no earlier than how many hours before collection?

4 hours
8 hours (Correct answer)
2 hours
12 hours

Correct answer: 8 hours

As of NYC's containerization rules phased in through 2024-2025, bags may not be put out more than 8 hours before collection.

Question 4: NYC Local Law 199 of 2019 required the expansion of which program to most NYC residents?

Organics / food scrap collection (Correct answer)
Yard waste composting only
Electronics take-back
Glass recycling

Correct answer: Organics / food scrap collection

Local Law 199 mandated city-wide expansion of organic waste collection to divert food scraps from landfills.

Question 5: A resident places a large appliance (refrigerator) on the curb without scheduling a bulk pickup. What should a sanitation worker do?

Break it down and place pieces in the truck
Leave it and notify a supervisor to arrange a bulk pickup (Correct answer)
Issue the resident a summons on the spot
Collect it immediately to keep the street clean

Correct answer: Leave it and notify a supervisor to arrange a bulk pickup

Bulk items like appliances require scheduled pickup appointments and should not be collected during regular routes without authorization.

Question 6: How many sanitation districts does NYC divide its five boroughs into for collection purposes?

15
59 (Correct answer)
5
Over 100

Correct answer: 59

NYC is divided into 59 sanitation districts that mirror the city's community board districts, each managed by a district garage and supervisory team.

Question 7: What does the acronym 'LOTO' stand for in DSNY vehicle safety?

Low Output, Truck Off
Load Out, Tip Over
Lift Out, Turn Off
Lockout/Tagout (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/Tagout procedures prevent accidental machine startup while workers perform maintenance or clear jams.

Question 8: Which plastic items are NOT accepted in NYC's curbside recycling?

Rigid plastic containers
Plastic bottles and jugs
Plastic bags and film (Correct answer)
Plastic yogurt containers

Correct answer: Plastic bags and film

Plastic bags and film (soft plastics) are not accepted in NYC's curbside recycling and can jam sorting machinery at recycling facilities.

Question 9: What is the maximum weight a NYC sanitation worker is generally required to lift without mechanical assistance?

50 lbs
150 lbs
75 lbs
100 lbs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 100 lbs

NYC DSNY guidelines require mechanical assistance for loads exceeding 100 lbs to prevent workplace injuries.

Question 10: After Fresh Kills closed, NYC primarily began exporting its residential waste to facilities in what region?

Upstate New York and neighboring states like Pennsylvania and Virginia (Correct answer)
Canada
New England
New Jersey only

Correct answer: Upstate New York and neighboring states like Pennsylvania and Virginia

After Fresh Kills closed in 2001, NYC contracted to export residential waste by truck and rail to disposal facilities in upstate New York and states like Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Question 11: Which NYC agency oversees the enforcement of sanitation violations for residential properties?

DSNY (Correct answer)
DOB
NYPD
DEP

Correct answer: DSNY

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is responsible for enforcing sanitation rules and issuing violations for residential properties.

Question 12: NYC's Fresh Kills Landfill, once the world's largest, is located in which borough?

The Bronx
Staten Island (Correct answer)
Queens
Brooklyn

Correct answer: Staten Island

Fresh Kills Landfill is located on Staten Island and operated from 1948 to 2001, when it was closed and began its conversion into a public park.

Question 13: Which NYC agency leads snow removal operations on city streets during a blizzard?

DOT
OEM
NYPD
DSNY (Correct answer)

Correct answer: DSNY

DSNY leads snow removal operations on NYC streets, deploying its fleet of plows and salt spreaders to clear and treat roadways during winter storms.

Question 14: What does NYC's organics collection program primarily collect?

Electronics and batteries
Food scraps and food-soiled paper (Correct answer)
Clothing and textiles
Construction debris

Correct answer: Food scraps and food-soiled paper

NYC's organics (brown bin) program collects food scraps and food-soiled paper to be composted or processed into biogas instead of going to landfill.

Question 15: While clearing debris from a busy city junction, you are running late. If you know how to go to Wilson's Pie Shop, a passing tourist will ask you. You are aware that giving directions would take time as the store is located in a mall at least a mile distant. <br> What ought to be done?

tell the tourist you are late getting your work done and therefore can't answer
Call a supervisor over to deal with the unwelcome interruption
advise the tourist to find a city map
give the tourist directions to the store (Correct answer)

Correct answer: give the tourist directions to the store

As a public servant, it is important to provide assistance to the public whenever possible, even if it means a slight delay in your work. Giving directions to a tourist is a reasonable and helpful act of public service. Dismissing the tourist or calling a supervisor for such a request would be unprofessional and unhelpful.

Question 16: NYC's commercial waste zone system, enacted under Local Law 2020, was designed to achieve what primary goal?

Reduce the number of DSNY employees
Cut the number of private sanitation truck trips through city streets to reduce congestion and emissions (Correct answer)
Privatize all residential collection
Eliminate recycling requirements for businesses

Correct answer: Cut the number of private sanitation truck trips through city streets to reduce congestion and emissions

Commercial waste zones assign exclusive geographic zones to licensed carters, dramatically reducing the number of trucks making multiple overlapping routes.

Question 17: What is the OSHA permissible noise exposure limit for an 8-hour workday that DSNY workers must observe near loud compactor equipment?

90 dB(A) (Correct answer)
85 dB(A)
110 dB(A)
100 dB(A)

Correct answer: 90 dB(A)

OSHA sets the 8-hour TWA permissible exposure limit at 90 dB(A); levels above this require hearing protection.

Question 18: Which DSNY bureau is responsible for issuing sanitation violations and enforcing the health code?

Bureau of Legal Affairs
Bureau of Waste Disposal
Bureau of Enforcement (Correct answer)
Bureau of Cleaning and Collection

Correct answer: Bureau of Enforcement

DSNY's Bureau of Enforcement deploys agents citywide to issue summonses and enforce NYC's sanitation code and health code provisions.

Question 19: Under DSNY ergonomic guidelines, what is the maximum recommended weight a single worker should manually lift without mechanical assistance?

50 lbs (Correct answer)
25 lbs
75 lbs
100 lbs

Correct answer: 50 lbs

50 lbs is the standard single-worker manual lift limit; heavier loads require team lifting or mechanical aid to prevent musculoskeletal injury.

Question 20: Under NYC rules, what is the fine range a property owner faces for failing to clear snow from the sidewalk adjacent to their property within the required timeframe?

$10–$25
$100–$350 (Correct answer)
$1,000–$5,000
$500–$1,000

Correct answer: $100–$350

NYC property owners face fines of $100 to $350 for failing to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within the required timeframe after snowfall ends.

Question 21: Which of the following statements has proper punctuation?

The hamburgers are almost ready can you bring the ketchup from the refrigerator?
The hamburgers are almost ready; can you bring the ketchup from the refrigerator? (Correct answer)
The hamburgers are almost ready, can you bring, the ketchup from the refrigerator?
The hamburgers are almost ready, can you bring the ketchup from the refrigerator?

Correct answer: The hamburgers are almost ready; can you bring the ketchup from the refrigerator?

Option A uses a semicolon to correctly join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning: 'The hamburgers are almost ready' and 'can you bring the ketchup from the refrigerator?'. A semicolon is appropriate here because the second clause clarifies or elaborates on the first. Options B and C use a comma, which would create a comma splice (incorrectly joining two independent clauses with only a comma), and Option D lacks any punctuation, resulting in a run-on sentence.

Question 22: What is the probationary period for newly appointed NYC Sanitation Workers?

3 months
2 years
1 year (Correct answer)
6 months

Correct answer: 1 year

Newly appointed DSNY sanitation workers serve a one-year probationary period during which their performance is closely evaluated before permanent appointment.

Question 23: Which civil service list process does NYC use to call candidates for the Sanitation Worker title?

Lottery-based selection
Ranked eligible list based on exam score and seniority points (Correct answer)
Interview-only process
First come, first served applications

Correct answer: Ranked eligible list based on exam score and seniority points

NYC uses a ranked eligible list where candidates are called based on their civil service exam score, with additional credits for veterans and other qualifying factors.

Question 24: Which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST critical for NYC sanitation workers when handling sharp or unknown waste?

Safety glasses only
Standard latex gloves
No PPE is required for routine collection
Heavy-duty puncture-resistant gloves (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Heavy-duty puncture-resistant gloves

Puncture-resistant gloves protect workers from cuts, needles, and sharp debris commonly found in residential waste.

Question 25: Which DSNY rank is the first supervisory level above sanitation worker?

Deputy Commissioner
Section Superintendent
Sanitation Supervisor (SS) (Correct answer)
District Superintendent

Correct answer: Sanitation Supervisor (SS)

The Sanitation Supervisor (SS) rank is the first level of supervision above the Sanitation Worker title in DSNY's career ladder.

Question 26: Which category of material was TEMPORARILY suspended from NYC's recycling program in 2020 due to budget cuts, and later reinstated?

Plastic bottles
Metal cans
Cardboard
Glass (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Glass

Glass recycling was suspended in NYC in 2020 as a budget measure but was later reinstated as market conditions and funding improved.

Question 27: Organic waste collection in NYC (curbside composting) became mandatory for all residents citywide in:

2020
2023 (Correct answer)
2018
2025

Correct answer: 2023

NYC's mandatory curbside composting program expanded citywide and became mandatory for all residents in 2023.

Question 28: Which of the following is classified as a 'special waste' requiring separate handling under NYC regulations?

Cardboard boxes
Plastic bottles
Newspapers
Motor oil (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Motor oil

Motor oil is classified as special waste in NYC and must be handled separately from regular household garbage.

Question 29: Which NYC law requires restaurants and food establishments to participate in grease trap maintenance and report records to the city?

NYC Fire Code §606
NYC Health Code §81.09 and DEP regulations (Correct answer)
DSNY Commercial Waste Zone Rules only
Building Code Appendix Q

Correct answer: NYC Health Code §81.09 and DEP regulations

Health Code §81.09 and DEP rules govern grease interceptor installation and maintenance to prevent sewer blockages.

Question 30: What is the primary purpose of NYC's containerization law for large residential buildings?

To reduce truck fuel consumption
To prevent pests and reduce street litter (Correct answer)
To speed up collection routes
To reduce overtime pay for sanitation workers

Correct answer: To prevent pests and reduce street litter

The containerization law requires large buildings to store refuse in sealed containers primarily to prevent pests and reduce litter on NYC streets.

Question 31: In NYC, commercial establishments must place their refuse in what type of container?

Plastic wrap only
Open cardboard boxes
Any available bin
Approved lidded containers or bags (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Approved lidded containers or bags

NYC regulations require commercial establishments to use approved lidded containers or tied bags for refuse to prevent litter and pest access.

Question 32: How far will a street sweeper travel if it travels at a pace of 15 mph for 2.5 hours? Distance (Distance = Rate Time)

37.5 miles (Correct answer)
10.5 miles
17.5 miles
3.75 miles

Correct answer: 37.5 miles

To calculate the distance traveled, you use the formula Distance = Rate × Time. In this scenario, the street sweeper travels at a rate of 15 mph for 2.5 hours. Multiplying 15 mph by 2.5 hours gives a total distance of 37.5 miles.

Question 33: The DSNY Commissioner is appointed by which official?

A DSNY board of directors
The NYC City Council
The Governor of New York
The NYC Mayor (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The NYC Mayor

The DSNY Commissioner is a mayoral appointee, serving at the pleasure of the NYC Mayor as the head of the department.

Question 34: What was the significance of the 1968 DSNY sanitation workers' strike in New York City?

It led to the creation of curbside recycling
It demonstrated workers' power and resulted in significant wage and benefit gains (Correct answer)
It caused the mayor to create DSNY
It resulted in privatization of sanitation services

Correct answer: It demonstrated workers' power and resulted in significant wage and benefit gains

The 1968 strike shut down NYC garbage collection for nine days and resulted in significant pay increases and improved conditions for sanitation workers.

Question 35: NYC's 'e-waste' law (Local Law 48 of 2008) prohibits placing which items in the regular trash?

Computers, televisions, and other covered electronic devices (Correct answer)
Old newspapers and cardboard
Alkaline batteries
Light bulbs only

Correct answer: Computers, televisions, and other covered electronic devices

Local Law 48 banned covered electronic devices from the regular waste stream and created a manufacturer take-back program.

Question 36: NYC Local Law 199 requires organics collection for large residential buildings. How many units must a building have to qualify?

10 or more units (Correct answer)
100 or more units
300 or more units
4 or more units

Correct answer: 10 or more units

Under NYC's organics collection mandate, buildings with 10 or more residential units must participate in the curbside organics program.

Question 37: What is the primary role of a DSNY Section Superintendent?

Overseeing multiple sanitation districts within a borough section (Correct answer)
Managing the DSNY computer systems
Conducting public outreach campaigns
Operating collection trucks on daily routes

Correct answer: Overseeing multiple sanitation districts within a borough section

A Section Superintendent manages multiple sanitation districts within a borough section, supervising District Superintendents and ensuring operational performance.

Question 38: Under NYC DSNY policy, what must a sanitation worker do FIRST upon discovering a fire in a waste collection truck's hopper?

Stop the truck, discharge the load safely away from structures, and call 911 (Correct answer)
Keep driving to complete the route
Continue driving to the nearest firehouse
Open the hopper and pour water inside

Correct answer: Stop the truck, discharge the load safely away from structures, and call 911

Discharging the burning load onto pavement away from buildings and calling 911 is the required emergency response to prevent truck fires from spreading.

Question 39: Which NYC Sanitation rule requires building owners with six or more units to use a waste containerization system?

RCNY Title 50
NYC Health Code Article 97
Section 28-400 of the Building Code
Section 16-120 of the NYC Administrative Code (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Section 16-120 of the NYC Administrative Code

Section 16-120 mandates containerization for multi-unit buildings to prevent loose refuse and pest infestation.

Question 40: What is the civil penalty range for a first-time violation of NYC's illegal dumping law for a commercial entity?

$100–$500
$50–$100
$25–$50
$4,000–$10,000 or more for commercial dumping (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $4,000–$10,000 or more for commercial dumping

NYC imposes severe fines on commercial illegal dumping to deter businesses from avoiding lawful disposal fees.

Question 41: What type of DSNY vehicle is specially equipped to both plow snow and spread salt in a single pass?

Roll-off truck
Combination plow/spreader unit (Correct answer)
Rear-loader garbage truck
Street sweeper

Correct answer: Combination plow/spreader unit

DSNY uses combination plow/spreader units that can push snow with a front blade while simultaneously applying salt from a rear-mounted spreader.

Question 42: How should DSNY workers position themselves relative to traffic when loading garbage from the curb?

Stand on the traffic side to signal vehicles
Position the truck as a barrier between themselves and oncoming traffic (Correct answer)
Work only on one-way streets to eliminate concern
Face away from traffic to watch the truck

Correct answer: Position the truck as a barrier between themselves and oncoming traffic

Workers should always use the collection truck as a physical barrier between themselves and oncoming traffic to reduce struck-by hazards.

Question 43: What is the purpose of the NYC DSNY 'snow alert' system?

To schedule additional recycling pickups
To warn workers about slippery loading dock conditions
To mobilize sanitation workers for snow removal operations (Correct answer)
To notify residents of delayed trash collection

Correct answer: To mobilize sanitation workers for snow removal operations

A snow alert activates DSNY's snow removal operations, deploying sanitation workers and equipment to plow and salt city streets.

Question 44: What does 'diversion rate' mean in the context of NYC's waste management performance?

The proportion of collected material diverted from disposal (landfill/incineration) to recycling or composting (Correct answer)
The percentage of trucks diverted from their original routes
The number of complaints diverted from DSNY to 311
The rate at which new routes are created

Correct answer: The proportion of collected material diverted from disposal (landfill/incineration) to recycling or composting

Diversion rate measures how much of the total waste stream is redirected from landfills into recycling, composting, or other beneficial uses.

Question 45: Which borough has the most DSNY collection districts due to its geographic size?

Manhattan
Queens (Correct answer)
The Bronx
Brooklyn

Correct answer: Queens

Queens has the most DSNY collection districts because it is the largest borough by land area in New York City.

Question 46: Which type of truck is most commonly used by DSNY for residential garbage collection?

Front-loader
Rear-loader (Correct answer)
Side-loader
Roll-off truck

Correct answer: Rear-loader

DSNY primarily uses rear-loader trucks for residential collection because they are efficient in navigating NYC's narrow streets.

Question 47: Under NYC Administrative Code, how many hours before scheduled collection can residents place garbage at the curb?

4 hours
12 hours
24 hours
6 hours (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6 hours

NYC rules allow residents to place garbage at the curb no earlier than 6 hours before the scheduled collection time.

Question 48: Under NYC regulations, residents are prohibited from placing which of the following items at the curb for regular garbage collection?

Propane tanks (Correct answer)
Bundled cardboard
Bagged yard waste
Broken furniture

Correct answer: Propane tanks

Propane tanks are pressurized and potentially explosive; they are classified as hazardous material and must not be placed at the curb for regular collection.

Question 49: Under NYC sanitation law, what is the fine for littering from a motor vehicle?

$25
$100
$50
$300 for littering from a vehicle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $300 for littering from a vehicle

NYC imposes a $300 fine for littering from a motor vehicle to deter drivers from disposing of waste in the street.

Question 50: What should a DSNY vehicle operator do if the truck's brake air pressure gauge drops below the minimum safe operating pressure while driving?

Pump the brakes to rebuild pressure
Immediately pull over safely, apply the parking brake, and call for assistance (Correct answer)
Shift to a lower gear and maintain speed
Continue driving and report it after the shift

Correct answer: Immediately pull over safely, apply the parking brake, and call for assistance

Low air pressure means the braking system may fail — the vehicle must be stopped immediately and taken out of service.

Question 51: DSNY's Bureau of Cleaning and Collection is primarily responsible for what function?

Managing recycling processing facilities
Street cleaning and residential garbage/recycling collection citywide (Correct answer)
Enforcing sanitation violations
Vehicle fleet maintenance

Correct answer: Street cleaning and residential garbage/recycling collection citywide

The Bureau of Cleaning and Collection (BCC) manages all street cleaning operations and residential refuse and recycling collection throughout the five boroughs.

Question 52: What does NYC Local Law require sanitation workers to do when they see a pedestrian in the truck's path during a reverse maneuver?

Stop the truck immediately and wait for the path to clear (Correct answer)
Radio dispatch for instructions
Flash the headlights
Honk the horn twice and continue

Correct answer: Stop the truck immediately and wait for the path to clear

Immediate stopping when a pedestrian is in the reverse path is required to prevent fatal struck-by incidents.

Question 53: What examination must a candidate pass to become a NYC Sanitation Worker?

DSNY Physical Fitness Test only
NYC Civil Service Exam 2158 (Correct answer)
NYC General Aptitude Test
NYC Police Officer Exam

Correct answer: NYC Civil Service Exam 2158

Candidates must pass Civil Service Exam 2158 (Sanitation Worker) to be eligible for appointment to the DSNY as a sanitation worker.

Question 54: A NYC sanitation worker finds a sealed container leaking an unknown liquid during collection. The correct first action is to:

Do not touch it and notify a supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
Pour the liquid into the drain and collect the container
Open the container to identify the contents
Place it in the truck and note it in the log

Correct answer: Do not touch it and notify a supervisor immediately

Unknown leaking containers may contain hazardous materials; workers must not touch them and must notify a supervisor.

Question 55: What is the DSNY's nickname often used by NYC residents and workers?

The Clean Crew
New York's Strongest (Correct answer)
The Sanit Squad
The Green Team

Correct answer: New York's Strongest

DSNY workers are famously nicknamed 'New York's Strongest' in recognition of the demanding physical and operational nature of their work.

Question 56: Which back injury prevention technique should sanitation workers use when lifting heavy refuse containers?

Lean forward and pull the container toward the body
Bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs (Correct answer)
Twist the torso while lifting to build momentum
Bend at the waist and jerk the load upward

Correct answer: Bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the legs

Lifting with the legs while keeping the back straight reduces spinal stress and is the OSHA-recommended technique.

Question 57: Under NYC law, which of the following waste types requires a NYC DSNY special permit for disposal?

Construction and demolition debris (Correct answer)
Clean cardboard
Dry leaves
Regular household garbage

Correct answer: Construction and demolition debris

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris is a regulated waste category in NYC that requires a special permit and must be handled by licensed private carters, not DSNY.

Question 58: A young child grabs the driver's side mirror when you stop your garbage collection truck to pick up trash along a busy city street and hangs there while yelling for you to give him a ride. <br> What ought you to do?

open the door quickly to dump him onto the sidewalk
drive the boy slowly down the street a few feet and then ask him to get off
tell the boy you will call the police if you see him at that corner again
don't move the truck and tell the boy to get down immediately (Correct answer)

Correct answer: don't move the truck and tell the boy to get down immediately

The child's safety is the absolute priority in this dangerous situation. Moving the truck, even slowly, or attempting to dump him off could result in serious injury or death. The immediate and correct action is to stop the truck completely and firmly instruct the child to get down, ensuring he is safe before considering any further steps.

Question 59: In what year was the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) officially established in its modern form?

1895 (Correct answer)
1881
1929
1950

Correct answer: 1895

The NYC Department of Sanitation was formally established in 1895 under Commissioner George Waring, who revolutionized waste collection in the city.

Question 60: NYC's 'Rat Mitigation Zones' were created to address rodent infestations. Which DSNY practice is central to reducing rats?

Increasing collection frequency to daily
Restricting the use of organic waste bins
Requiring containerized trash instead of open bags on sidewalks (Correct answer)
Using poison bait in all collection trucks

Correct answer: Requiring containerized trash instead of open bags on sidewalks

Containerization prevents rats from accessing loose garbage bags, which is the primary food source driving infestations.

Question 61: What does the 'spotter' role entail during a DSNY collection truck backing maneuver?

Recording vehicle mileage
Collecting bins from the curb while the truck moves
Directing pedestrians away from the truck's path (Correct answer)
Watching the route for upcoming traffic lights

Correct answer: Directing pedestrians away from the truck's path

The spotter's role is to guide the truck driver safely and alert pedestrians and vehicles to move away from the truck's backing path.

Question 62: Which offense can result in a DSNY summons being issued to a building owner for their tenant's actions?

Tenant noise violations
Tenant jaywalking near the building
Refuse placed outside without a container on non-collection days (Correct answer)
Parking a moving truck without a permit

Correct answer: Refuse placed outside without a container on non-collection days

Building owners can receive a DSNY summons if their tenants place refuse outside without proper containers on non-collection days.

Question 63: Who is credited with professionalizing NYC's sanitation workforce in the 1890s?

George Waring (Correct answer)
John Lindsay
Theodore Roosevelt
Fiorello La Guardia

Correct answer: George Waring

Colonel George Waring transformed DSNY in the 1890s by professionalizing the workforce, introducing uniforms, and reorganizing street cleaning operations.

Question 64: Under NYC law, who is legally responsible for keeping the sidewalk and curb area adjacent to their property free of litter?

The nearest sanitation district garage
The property owner or occupant (Correct answer)
The adjacent business, regardless of ownership
NYC Parks Department

Correct answer: The property owner or occupant

NYC law places the primary responsibility for sidewalk cleanliness on the property owner or tenant abutting that sidewalk.

Question 65: What personal protective equipment must DSNY workers wear during nighttime collection operations?

Standard work uniform only
Hard hat and reflective vest
Dark clothing to avoid distraction
High-visibility (reflective) safety vests (Correct answer)

Correct answer: High-visibility (reflective) safety vests

High-visibility vests ensure sanitation workers are visible to motorists during low-light conditions, reducing struck-by incidents.

Question 66: Under NYC rules, within how many hours after a snowstorm ends must property owners clear sidewalks?

2 hours
6 hours (Correct answer)
12 hours
4 hours

Correct answer: 6 hours

NYC property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their adjacent sidewalks within 4 hours after a snowstorm ends during daylight hours.

Question 67: What is the primary mission of DSNY's Bureau of Waste Disposal?

Managing landfills, transfer stations, and waste export operations (Correct answer)
Operating street sweepers
Overseeing the organics program only
Issuing violation notices

Correct answer: Managing landfills, transfer stations, and waste export operations

The Bureau of Waste Disposal manages NYC's marine transfer stations, landfill operations, and the export of collected waste to out-of-city disposal facilities.

Question 68: Under NYC law, which agency has the authority to issue fines for improper refuse set-out by residential properties?

NYPD only
DSNY Enforcement Division (formerly the Bureau of Waste Disposal Enforcement) (Correct answer)
NYC Health Department only
NYC Buildings Department

Correct answer: DSNY Enforcement Division (formerly the Bureau of Waste Disposal Enforcement)

DSNY's enforcement arm is empowered to issue civil penalties for violations of sanitation code requirements.

Question 69: What is the primary purpose of NYC's 'containerization' requirement for residential buildings with 9 or more units?

To reduce the number of daily collection trips
To keep garbage off sidewalks, improve aesthetics, and reduce pest activity (Correct answer)
To make buildings responsible for their own waste disposal
To allow tenants to self-sort recyclables more effectively

Correct answer: To keep garbage off sidewalks, improve aesthetics, and reduce pest activity

Containerization requirements reduce the amount of time bags sit exposed on sidewalks, which significantly cuts rodent activity and improves neighborhood cleanliness.

Question 70: Under NYC Sanitation rules, how many hours before collection is allowed for residential garbage to be placed at the curb?

12 hours before midnight on the collection night
24 hours before pickup
Any time the night before
No earlier than 4 PM on the day before, or after 4 PM the evening before overnight collection (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No earlier than 4 PM on the day before, or after 4 PM the evening before overnight collection

NYC rules specify garbage may not be set out more than a specific window before collection to reduce time refuse sits on the street.

NYC Sanitation Worker Civil Service Exam

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) civil service exam tests cognitive abilities and job-related knowledge for sanitation worker candidates, covering waste collection operations, sanitation regulations and legal framework, and department history and administrative procedures.

Questions

150 min

Time Limit

70%

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