NYC Hazardous Waste Identification and Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal agency sets regulations for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste that NYC sanitation workers must comply with?
- OSHA
- EPA (Correct answer)
- FEMA
- DOT
Correct answer: EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates hazardous waste management under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Question 2: A NYC sanitation worker notices white powder spilling from a garbage bag on collection. What should the worker do?
- Sweep the powder into the truck hopper
- Secure the area, do not touch it, and call 911 or a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Wet the powder with water and continue collection
- Place the bag in a separate bin and continue the route
Correct answer: Secure the area, do not touch it, and call 911 or a supervisor
Unknown white powder is treated as a potential hazmat or even biological threat; workers must secure the area and contact emergency services rather than disturb it.
Question 3: Under NYC regulations, residents are prohibited from placing which of the following items at the curb for regular garbage collection?
- Broken furniture
- Bagged yard waste
- Propane tanks (Correct answer)
- Bundled cardboard
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 4: What is the primary purpose of secondary containment when handling hazardous liquids during waste collection?
- To make the liquid easier to transport
- To prevent spills from contaminating the surrounding environment (Correct answer)
- To increase storage capacity
- To neutralize chemical reactions
Correct answer: To prevent spills from contaminating the surrounding environment
Secondary containment provides a backup barrier to prevent hazardous liquid spills from reaching soil, water, or drains, protecting both workers and the environment.
Question 5: Which NFPA rating system uses a diamond-shaped label with four color-coded quadrants to indicate hazardous material risks?
- NFPA 704 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 101
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 72
Correct answer: NFPA 704
NFPA 704 is the Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, using a four-color diamond on containers and buildings.
Question 6: What does a blue quadrant rating of '4' on an NFPA 704 diamond indicate?
- Extreme fire hazard
- Deadly health hazard (Correct answer)
- Highly reactive substance
- Special hazard
Correct answer: Deadly health hazard
In the NFPA 704 system, the blue quadrant represents health hazards, and a rating of 4 indicates a substance that is deadly even with brief exposure.
Question 7: Which of the following personal protective equipment items is MOST important when handling unknown liquid spills during waste collection?
- Steel-toed boots only
- High-visibility vest
- Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection (Correct answer)
- Hard hat
Correct answer: Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection
Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection are critical for unknown liquid spills to prevent skin absorption and eye injuries from potentially corrosive or toxic substances.
NYC Hazardous Waste Identification and Handling 2
Which federal agency sets regulations for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste that NYC sanitation workers must comply with?