NYC Sanitation Worker 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A NYC sanitation worker finds a 55-gallon drum labeled 'hazardous waste' on the curb. What is the correct action?
- Collect it with the regular refuse
- Leave it and notify a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Open it to inspect the contents
- Place it in the recycling truck
Correct answer: Leave it and notify a supervisor
Hazardous materials require special handling and must not be collected with regular refuse; workers must report them to a supervisor.
Question 2: When a sanitation worker is assigned to a collection route, what document outlines the streets and pickup schedule?
- Route card (Correct answer)
- Work order manifest
- Dispatch log
- Traffic variance permit
Correct answer: Route card
A route card specifies the streets, timing, and collection details for a worker's assigned collection route.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the NYC DSNY policy on collection of bulk items such as furniture?
- Bulk items must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance
- Bulk items are collected on designated bulk collection days or by appointment (Correct answer)
- Bulk items can only be collected if bundled in plastic bags
- Bulk items are never collected curbside
Correct answer: Bulk items are collected on designated bulk collection days or by appointment
NYC DSNY collects bulk items like furniture on scheduled bulk collection days or through a special bulk appointment system.
Question 4: A sanitation worker notices the truck's hydraulic packer is making an unusual grinding noise. What should the worker do first?
- Continue operating and report at end of shift
- Stop operation and notify the garage immediately (Correct answer)
- Manually compact the refuse by hand
- Increase engine speed to clear the obstruction
Correct answer: Stop operation and notify the garage immediately
Unusual mechanical sounds indicate a potential equipment failure; workers must stop operations and report to the garage to prevent injury.
Question 5: Under NYC rules, how must residents prepare metal recyclables such as cans for curbside collection?
- Crushed flat and tied in bundles
- Placed in clear plastic bags or rigid bins (Correct answer)
- Washed and sorted by metal type
- Wrapped in newspaper before bagging
Correct answer: Placed in clear plastic bags or rigid bins
Metal cans and recyclable metals must be placed in clear plastic bags or rigid containers for curbside recycling pickup.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the NYC DSNY tonnage report completed after each collection shift?
- To calculate individual worker bonuses
- To track the amount of material collected for billing and planning (Correct answer)
- To report vehicle fuel consumption
- To document overtime hours worked
Correct answer: To track the amount of material collected for billing and planning
Tonnage reports help DSNY track collected waste volumes, which is used for budget planning, billing, and operational analysis.
Question 7: A resident asks a sanitation worker to collect a pile of dirt and rocks from a landscaping project. What should the worker say?
- The worker should collect it since it is at the curb
- Dirt, soil, and rocks are not accepted in curbside collection (Correct answer)
- It can be collected if placed in proper bags
- The worker can collect half and leave the rest
Correct answer: Dirt, soil, and rocks are not accepted in curbside collection
NYC DSNY does not collect dirt, soil, rocks, or construction debris through curbside collection; residents must hire private carters.
NYC Sanitation Worker 2
A NYC sanitation worker finds a 55-gallon drum labeled 'hazardous waste' on the curb.
What is the correct action?