NYC Sanitation MCQ Exam 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum weight a NYC sanitation worker is generally required to lift without mechanical assistance?
- 50 lbs
- 75 lbs
- 100 lbs (Correct answer)
- 150 lbs
Correct answer: 100 lbs
NYC DSNY guidelines require mechanical assistance for loads exceeding 100 lbs to prevent workplace injuries.
Question 2: A resident places a large appliance (refrigerator) on the curb without scheduling a bulk pickup. What should a sanitation worker do?
- Collect it immediately to keep the street clean
- Leave it and notify a supervisor to arrange a bulk pickup (Correct answer)
- Issue the resident a summons on the spot
- Break it down and place pieces in the truck
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 3: Which federal agency sets the primary occupational safety standards that NYC sanitation workers must follow?
- EPA
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- FEMA
- DOT
Correct answer: OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces workplace safety standards for sanitation workers.
Question 4: When operating a rear-loading collection truck, a sanitation worker must ensure the hopper area is clear before activating the packer blade because:
- It saves fuel consumption
- It prevents serious injury or death to workers or bystanders (Correct answer)
- It protects the mechanical warranty
- It speeds up the collection route
Correct answer: It prevents serious injury or death to workers or bystanders
Activating the packer blade without clearing the hopper is a leading cause of fatal injuries in sanitation work.
Question 5: NYC residents are required to place recyclables at the curb no earlier than how many hours before the scheduled collection time?
- 4 hours
- 8 hours
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 48 hours
Correct answer: 24 hours
NYC sanitation rules allow residents to place materials at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before their scheduled collection.
Question 6: What does the term 'route efficiency' refer to in NYC sanitation operations?
- The number of summonses issued per shift
- Completing a collection route in the least time with minimal fuel use (Correct answer)
- The weight of refuse collected per hour
- The ratio of recycling to refuse collected
Correct answer: Completing a collection route in the least time with minimal fuel use
Route efficiency measures how effectively a crew completes their assigned collection route by minimizing time and resource consumption.
Question 7: A sanitation worker notices a bag leaking a yellowish liquid with a strong chemical odor. The correct first action is to:
- Place it in the truck using gloves
- Open it to identify the contents
- Leave it and notify a supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Pour water on it to dilute the chemical
Correct answer: Leave it and notify a supervisor immediately
Unidentified chemical waste must be treated as hazardous; workers should not handle it and must alert a supervisor for proper disposal protocols.
What is the maximum weight a NYC sanitation worker is generally required to lift without mechanical assistance?