NYC Sanitation Worker Civil Service Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which NYC borough has its own dedicated refuse disposal facility separate from the others?

Queens
The Bronx
Staten Island (Correct answer)
Brooklyn

Correct answer: Staten Island

Staten Island was home to the Fresh Kills Landfill, the borough's primary disposal site, now closed and being converted to a park.

Question 2: What penalty does NYC impose on property owners who allow grease or liquid waste to drain into the street from their refuse?

Civil fines for creating a public nuisance and violation of sanitation code (Correct answer)
Immediate license revocation
A warning letter only
No penalty currently exists

Correct answer: Civil fines for creating a public nuisance and violation of sanitation code

Leaking liquid waste creates slip hazards and pollutants — NYC imposes civil fines under the sanitation code.

Question 3: What is the primary mission of DSNY's Bureau of Waste Disposal?

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

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 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
Filed at the Department of Health
On the vehicle in an accessible location for the crew (Correct answer)
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 is the NYC DSNY's primary responsibility during a declared sanitation emergency?

Prioritizing public health by maintaining refuse removal to prevent disease (Correct answer)
Closing all transfer stations until the emergency ends
Suspending all non-essential collection routes
Transferring operations to the NYPD

Correct answer: Prioritizing public health by maintaining refuse removal to prevent disease

During emergencies, DSNY prioritizes maintaining refuse collection to protect public health and prevent unsanitary conditions that breed disease.

Question 6: E-waste (electronics) in NYC must be disposed of through which channel?

Incinerator facilities
Blue recycling bin
DSNY e-waste drop-off sites or manufacturer take-back programs (Correct answer)
Regular garbage bags at the curb

Correct answer: DSNY e-waste drop-off sites or manufacturer take-back programs

NYC law prohibits placing e-waste in regular garbage; electronics must be brought to DSNY drop-off sites or manufacturer take-back programs.

Question 7: When operating a collection truck in a school zone during restricted hours, a NYC sanitation driver must:

Reduce speed and exercise extra caution (Correct answer)
Park the truck and collect by hand only
Sound the horn to alert pedestrians
Skip the zone and return after hours

Correct answer: Reduce speed and exercise extra caution

Drivers must reduce speed and exercise heightened caution in school zones during restricted hours.

Question 8: Under NYC rules, within how many hours after a snowstorm ends must property owners clear sidewalks?

6 hours (Correct answer)
12 hours
2 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 9: After Fresh Kills closed, NYC primarily began exporting its residential waste to facilities in what region?

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

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

It caused the mayor to create DSNY
It demonstrated workers' power and resulted in significant wage and benefit gains (Correct answer)
It led to the creation of curbside recycling
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 11: One early morning as you are traveling, you come across a dead body stuffed inside a garbage can. What ought you to do?

empty the container into the truck and drive straight to the police department
without moving the body, see if there is identification on it, and then call the police
do not touch anything and use the truck radio to ask the dispatcher to call the police (Correct answer)
put on your gloves, pull the body out of the container, and then call police

Correct answer: do not touch anything and use the truck radio to ask the dispatcher to call the police

Discovering a dead body means you have encountered a potential crime scene. It is crucial not to touch anything, as this could contaminate evidence or compromise the investigation. The correct procedure is to immediately report the discovery to your dispatcher via the truck radio, who will then contact the police to handle the situation appropriately.

Question 12: What is the safe maximum load capacity rule that DSNY workers must follow when filling a collection truck?

Load is determined by driver judgment
Fill until overflow
Fill to 75% visual capacity
Stop at manufacturer's stated gross vehicle weight rating (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stop at manufacturer's stated gross vehicle weight rating

DSNY workers must not exceed the manufacturer's stated gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to ensure safe operation and road compliance.

Question 13: What is the purpose of the NYC DSNY 'snow alert' system?

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

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 14: A NYC sanitation worker is assigned to a new district for the day. Before beginning collection, the worker should:

Wait at the garage until a supervisor personally escorts them
Contact the previous driver for verbal instructions only
Begin collecting from the nearest address immediately
Review the route sheet and familiarize themselves with the assigned route (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Review the route sheet and familiarize themselves with the assigned route

Reviewing the route sheet ensures the worker knows collection points, special stops, and any route-specific instructions before beginning the shift.

Question 15: What is the role of a DSNY salt spreader during icy conditions?

Mark hazardous spots with flags
Compact snow to make driving safer
Distribute rock salt or brine to melt ice and prevent refreezing (Correct answer)
Apply sand for traction only

Correct answer: Distribute rock salt or brine to melt ice and prevent refreezing

Salt spreaders distribute rock salt or anti-icing brine to melt existing ice and prevent refreezing on treated surfaces.

Question 16: 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 17: What examination must a candidate pass to become a NYC Sanitation Worker?

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

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

Staten Island (Correct answer)
Brooklyn
Queens
The Bronx

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 19: 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)
Only when feeling dizzy
Once per shift
Every 2 hours minimum

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 20: 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 21: Under NYC Administrative Code, how many hours before scheduled collection can residents place garbage at the curb?

4 hours
24 hours
12 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 22: What does DSNY's Office of Management and Budget primarily oversee?

Training programs for new sanitation workers
Budget allocation and financial management for the department (Correct answer)
Hiring and HR processes
Equipment procurement and vehicle maintenance contracts

Correct answer: Budget allocation and financial management for the department

DSNY's Office of Management and Budget is responsible for the department's budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.

Question 23: 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?

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)
drive the boy slowly down the street a few feet and then ask him to get off
open the door quickly to dump him onto the sidewalk

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 24: Which NYC local law significantly expanded the organics collection mandate to large buildings?

Local Law 11
Local Law 40
Local Law 199 (Correct answer)
Local Law 80

Correct answer: Local Law 199

Local Law 199 of 2019 expanded NYC's mandatory organics collection to cover large residential buildings, requiring them to separate food scraps.

Question 25: Which of the following personal protective equipment items is MOST important when handling unknown liquid spills during waste collection?

High-visibility vest
Hard hat
Steel-toed boots only
Chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection (Correct answer)

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.

Question 26: What is the probationary period for newly appointed NYC Sanitation Workers?

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

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

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

Correct answer: George Waring

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

Question 28: Which NYC law mandates that property owners keep sidewalks and gutters free of debris?

Administrative Code § 16-118 (Correct answer)
Local Law 11
Local Law 97
Sanitation Code § 8-10

Correct answer: Administrative Code § 16-118

NYC Administrative Code § 16-118 requires property owners to keep the sidewalks and gutters adjacent to their property clean and free of debris.

Question 29: Which NYC Administrative Code title primarily governs the Department of Sanitation's rules and regulations?

Title 34 — Transportation
Title 16 — Sanitation (Correct answer)
Title 6 — Administration
Title 28 — Buildings

Correct answer: Title 16 — Sanitation

Title 16 of the NYC Administrative Code covers solid waste management, DSNY authority, and sanitation regulations.

Question 30: Which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST critical for NYC sanitation workers when handling sharp or unknown waste?

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

Correct answer: Heavy-duty puncture-resistant gloves

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

Question 31: What is the correct procedure when a sanitation worker encounters a hypodermic needle in a waste container?

Crush it underfoot to prevent injury to others
Pick it up bare-handed and place it in a red biohazard bag
Use tongs or a mechanical device and report it as sharps waste (Correct answer)
Leave it in the container and continue collection

Correct answer: Use tongs or a mechanical device and report it as sharps waste

Sharps must be handled with mechanical tools and reported per NYC DSNY protocol to prevent needlestick injuries.

Question 32: The DSNY Commissioner is appointed by which official?

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

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

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

Correct answer: Organics / food scrap collection

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

Question 34: Under NYC sanitation rules, which of the following is the correct way to dispose of used hypodermic needles?

Drop in the recycling bin
Wrap in newspaper and place in regular trash
Flush down the toilet
Place in a puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Place in a puncture-resistant sharps container

Sharps must be placed in an approved puncture-resistant container before disposal to protect sanitation workers.

Question 35: Which borough has the most DSNY collection districts due to its geographic size?

Queens (Correct answer)
Manhattan
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 36: What does NYC Local Law require sanitation workers to do when they see a pedestrian in the truck's path during a reverse maneuver?

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

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

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

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 38: 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 39: A sanitation worker slips and falls during route operations. What must they do according to DSNY incident reporting requirements?

Wait until the supervisor notices
Report only if medical treatment is needed beyond first aid
File a written incident report the same day, regardless of injury severity (Correct answer)
Report it only if a supervisor was present

Correct answer: File a written incident report the same day, regardless of injury severity

All workplace incidents must be reported the same day to create a record that protects the worker's rights and enables safety improvements.

Question 40: What is the primary function of the 'packer blade' on a rear-loader collection truck?

To lift containers automatically
To dispense salt during winter operations
To compress refuse in the hopper into the truck body to maximize payload (Correct answer)
To sweep the street surface

Correct answer: To compress refuse in the hopper into the truck body to maximize payload

The packer blade compresses incoming refuse against the load already in the truck body, allowing the truck to carry much more material.

Question 41: DSNY's Bureau of Cleaning and Collection is primarily responsible for what function?

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

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

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

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 43: What is the maximum permissible height of weeds on a vacant NYC lot under sanitation code?

10 inches
6 inches
18 inches
12 inches (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 12 inches

NYC sanitation regulations prohibit weeds and grass on vacant lots from exceeding 10 inches in height.

Question 44: NYC's 'e-waste' law (Local Law 48 of 2008) prohibits placing which items in the regular trash?

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

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 45: Under NYC law, what must a private carter do before operating in any NYC commercial waste zone?

Obtain a DSNY commercial waste zone license and meet all vehicle and worker standards (Correct answer)
Pay a one-time fee to DSNY with no other requirements
Simply register with the Better Business Bureau
Obtain approval from each individual building owner in the zone

Correct answer: Obtain a DSNY commercial waste zone license and meet all vehicle and worker standards

Commercial waste zone operation requires formal DSNY licensure, meeting fleet standards, labor protections, and environmental requirements.

Question 46: Which DSNY rank is the first supervisory level above sanitation worker?

Section Superintendent
Deputy Commissioner
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 47: The NYC DSNY uses a 'color-coded' bin system for organics. The correct color for organics/composting bins is:

Brown (Correct answer)
Red
Blue
Green

Correct answer: Brown

NYC uses brown bins for organics and composting material as part of its curbside composting program.

Question 48: Which back injury prevention technique should sanitation workers use when lifting heavy refuse containers?

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

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 49: What type of commercial driver's license (CDL) is required to operate a standard DSNY collection truck in New York?

Class B CDL (Correct answer)
Class A CDL
Class C CDL
Standard Class D license

Correct answer: Class B CDL

A Class B CDL is required for single-unit vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR, which includes standard refuse collection trucks.

Question 50: A DSNY enforcement agent discovers a mattress illegally dumped on a NYC street. What violation category does this typically fall under?

Illegal dumping (Correct answer)
Noise pollution
Littering
Building code violation

Correct answer: Illegal dumping

Leaving a mattress on the street without a scheduled bulk pickup constitutes illegal dumping, which carries higher fines than littering.

Question 51: What does NYC's 'zero waste' goal aim to achieve by 2030?

Stop all street cleaning
Remove all curbside bins
Send zero waste to landfills (Correct answer)
Eliminate all recycling programs

Correct answer: Send zero waste to landfills

NYC's zero waste goal aims to divert all waste from landfills by 2030 through expanded recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs.

Question 52: Which condition requires a DSNY worker to immediately report a collection truck as out-of-service?

A slightly dirty windshield
Minor cosmetic scratches
Radio not functioning
Brake warning light illuminated on the dashboard (Correct answer)

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 53: NYC's commercial waste zone system divides the city into how many designated zones for private carters?

32 zones
20 zones (Correct answer)
5 zones
8 zones

Correct answer: 20 zones

NYC divided the city into 20 commercial waste zones as part of its Commercial Waste Zones reform.

Question 54: When should a DSNY sanitation worker refuse to collect a container of unknown liquid?

Always — unknown liquids must be reported and left for hazmat assessment (Correct answer)
Only if it smells unusual
Only if it is leaking
Only if the container is over 5 gallons

Correct answer: Always — unknown liquids must be reported and left for hazmat assessment

Unknown liquids are treated as potential hazardous materials and must always be left and reported to a supervisor for hazmat evaluation.

Question 55: The gas pedal on your collection truck is stuck, which you notice as you are driving. Then, you try moving the pedal back and forth to see if you can find the issue after shifting the truck into neutral. Still sticking, but not as much as before, is the pedal. What ought you to do?

call your supervisor to report a problem with your truck (Correct answer)
get out your tools and try to fix the problem
take the truck to the nearest mechanic and have the problem fixed
continue on your route, relying on your brakes to stop you if the accelerator sticks again

Correct answer: call your supervisor to report a problem with your truck

A sticking gas pedal is a significant safety hazard that can lead to loss of control of the vehicle. As a sanitation worker, your primary responsibility is safety, and you are not authorized or necessarily qualified to perform mechanical repairs. The correct procedure is to immediately report the mechanical problem to your supervisor, who can then arrange for proper maintenance and ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Question 56: NYC Local Law 199 of 2019 requires commercial establishments to do which of the following by 2024?

Hire private carting companies exclusively
Use only clear plastic bags for refuse
Compost 50% of all food waste generated
Place all refuse in containers rather than bags on the sidewalk (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Place all refuse in containers rather than bags on the sidewalk

Local Law 199 mandates containerization of commercial waste to reduce sidewalk clutter and improve sanitation worker safety.

Question 57: What NYC DSNY protocol governs what to do when a collection truck experiences a tire blowout while on route?

Attempt to change the tire on a live lane of traffic
Drive to the nearest gas station
Safely pull the vehicle to the side, secure it, and notify dispatch for assistance (Correct answer)
Continue to the next stop at reduced speed

Correct answer: Safely pull the vehicle to the side, secure it, and notify dispatch for assistance

A tire blowout on a heavy vehicle requires immediate controlled stop, securing the vehicle, and calling dispatch — roadside tire changes on live streets are dangerous.

Question 58: Which materials are accepted in NYC's blue bin curbside recycling program?

Metal cans and glass only
Plastic and styrofoam
Paper and cardboard only
Glass, plastic, paper, and metal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Glass, plastic, paper, and metal

NYC's blue bin program accepts glass bottles and jars, plastic containers, metal cans, and paper and cardboard for recycling.

Question 59: Under NYC regulations, what must a sanitation worker do if a resident's recyclables are contaminated with food waste?

Call a supervisor before collecting
Collect them anyway and note the violation
Report the resident to the police
Leave them and affix a rejection notice (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Leave them and affix a rejection notice

When recyclables are contaminated, sanitation workers leave them behind and attach a rejection notice explaining the reason.

Question 60: Which NYC agency leads snow removal operations on city streets during a blizzard?

DSNY (Correct answer)
NYPD
OEM
DOT

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 61: In NYC, which day-of-week restriction applies to placing bulk items (e.g., furniture) on the curb for collection?

Mondays and Thursdays only city-wide
Every Sunday only
Only on designated bulk collection days assigned per district (Correct answer)
Any day of the week

Correct answer: Only on designated bulk collection days assigned per district

Bulk items must be placed on curbs only on the scheduled bulk collection day for that specific district to keep streets clear.

Question 62: Which NYC Sanitation rule requires building owners with six or more units to use a waste containerization system?

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

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

110 dB(A)
85 dB(A)
90 dB(A) (Correct answer)
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 64: Under NYC sanitation law, what is the fine for littering from a motor vehicle?

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

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 65: In NYC, which type of waste is collected by DSNY in brown bins or separate organic pickup programs?

Household hazardous waste
Food scraps and yard waste (organics) (Correct answer)
Electronic waste
Glass and metal

Correct answer: Food scraps and yard waste (organics)

NYC's organics collection program accepts food scraps and yard waste in brown bins for composting and diversion from landfill.

Question 66: Which entity has the authority to declare a Sanitation Emergency in NYC?

The Governor of New York
The DSNY Commissioner
The City Council Speaker
The NYC Mayor (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The NYC Mayor

The NYC Mayor has the authority to declare a Sanitation Emergency, which can trigger special rules and procedures for waste collection.

Question 67: What is the primary role of a DSNY Section Superintendent?

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

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

Lottery-based selection
Interview-only process
Ranked eligible list based on exam score and seniority points (Correct answer)
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 69: Which DSNY bureau is responsible for issuing sanitation violations and enforcing the health code?

Bureau of Legal Affairs
Bureau of Enforcement (Correct answer)
Bureau of Waste Disposal
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 70: What does NYC's 'Containerization Law' primarily require of commercial establishments?

To purchase NYC-branded containers only
To use clear bags for all waste
To store all refuse in covered, leak-proof containers that prevent pest access (Correct answer)
To weigh all waste before set-out

Correct answer: To store all refuse in covered, leak-proof containers that prevent pest access

The Containerization Law requires commercial refuse to be stored in sealed, pest-resistant containers to maintain sanitary conditions.

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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