NYC Safety Procedures and PPE 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NYC DSNY policy, what must a sanitation worker do FIRST upon discovering a fire in a waste collection truck's hopper?
- Continue driving to the nearest firehouse
- Stop the truck, discharge the load safely away from structures, and call 911 (Correct answer)
- Open the hopper and pour water inside
- Keep driving to complete the route
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 2: What is the DSNY-required minimum safe following distance between a collection truck and the vehicle ahead during normal street conditions?
- 1 car length
- 2 car lengths
- 3–4 seconds of travel time (Correct answer)
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 3–4 seconds of travel time
A 3–4 second following distance gives drivers sufficient reaction time given the weight and braking distance of heavy collection vehicles.
Question 3: Which condition requires a DSNY worker to immediately report a collection truck as out-of-service?
- Minor cosmetic scratches
- Brake warning light illuminated on the dashboard (Correct answer)
- A slightly dirty windshield
- Radio not functioning
Correct answer: Brake warning light illuminated on the dashboard
Any brake system warning requires the vehicle to be taken out of service immediately because brake failure on a heavy truck poses severe risk.
Question 4: According to NYC right-to-know laws, where must Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous substances be kept on DSNY vehicles?
- At the main garage only
- On the vehicle in an accessible location for the crew (Correct answer)
- Filed at the Department of Health
- They are not required on vehicles
Correct answer: On the vehicle in an accessible location for the crew
SDS sheets must be readily accessible to workers on the vehicle so they can reference exposure information in an emergency.
Question 5: What personal protective equipment must DSNY workers wear during nighttime collection operations?
- Dark clothing to avoid distraction
- High-visibility (reflective) safety vests (Correct answer)
- Standard work uniform only
- Hard hat and reflective vest
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 6: When should a DSNY worker complete a pre-shift vehicle inspection?
- Only after an accident occurs
- At the end of each shift
- Before operating the vehicle at the start of each shift (Correct answer)
- Once per week on Mondays
Correct answer: Before operating the vehicle at the start of each shift
Pre-shift inspections identify mechanical defects before they cause accidents or breakdowns during operations.
NYC Safety Procedures and PPE 2
Under NYC DSNY policy, what must a sanitation worker do FIRST upon discovering a fire in a waste collection truck's hopper?