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Mixed Deck — All NYC Topics Flashcards

100 cards from real NYC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What does DSNY require collection crews to do when they find a dead animal on a NYC street during their route?

    Answer: Report it to DSNY dispatch for proper pickup by a specialized unit

    Dead animal removal is handled by a specialized DSNY unit, not regular collection crews, to ensure proper biohazard handling.

  2. What does the acronym SDS stand for in the context of hazardous materials?

    Answer: Safety Data Sheet

    SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet, which provides detailed information on a chemical's hazards, safe handling, and emergency response procedures.

  3. What is the civil penalty range for a first-time violation of NYC's illegal dumping law for a commercial entity?

    Answer: $4,000–$10,000 or more for commercial dumping

    NYC imposes severe fines on commercial illegal dumping to deter businesses from avoiding lawful disposal fees.

  4. Which category of material was TEMPORARILY suspended from NYC's recycling program in 2020 due to budget cuts, and later reinstated?

    Answer: Glass

    Glass recycling was suspended in NYC in 2020 as a budget measure but was later reinstated as market conditions and funding improved.

  5. What does 'section work' mean in the context of NYC DSNY operations?

    Answer: Sweeping and cleaning a designated area beyond the primary collection route

    Section work refers to the street sweeping and litter basket service duties assigned to workers in their designated geographic section.

  6. How does a DSNY side-loader collection truck differ operationally from a rear-loader?

    Answer: Side-loaders use a mechanical arm to pick up standardized containers from the curb without a worker handling the bin

    Side-loaders use an automated arm to lift and empty standardized containers, reducing crew size and manual lifting injuries.

  7. When operating a rear-loader collection truck, what is the danger of activating the packer blade while a worker is inside the hopper area?

    Answer: The worker can be crushed or severely injured by the compacting blade

    The packer blade exerts thousands of pounds of force and will crush anyone inside the hopper — this is one of the leading causes of fatal sanitation worker injuries.

  8. Which DSNY procedure governs what happens when a collection route cannot be completed due to a mechanical breakdown?

    Answer: The crew notifies dispatch, who arranges a relief truck or reschedules the missed portion

    Dispatch coordinates relief trucks or reschedules uncovered blocks to ensure no community loses service due to equipment failure.

  9. What is the primary environmental concern associated with heavy rock salt use on NYC streets?

    Answer: Salt runoff can damage vegetation, harm aquatic life, and contaminate freshwater sources

    Rock salt runoff is a known environmental hazard that can kill street trees, damage soil, and pollute local waterways and freshwater ecosystems.

  10. In NYC, what color bag or bin is used for paper and cardboard recycling in the city's dual-stream system?

    Answer: Blue bag or blue bin

    Blue bags and blue bins designate paper and cardboard in NYC's dual-stream recycling system.

  11. What personal protective equipment must DSNY workers wear during nighttime collection operations?

    Answer: High-visibility (reflective) safety vests

    High-visibility vests ensure sanitation workers are visible to motorists during low-light conditions, reducing struck-by incidents.

  12. What is the maximum height a refuse pile may be loaded into a collection truck's hopper in NYC operations?

    Answer: Below the top of the hopper opening to avoid overflow

    Loads must remain within the hopper opening to prevent material from falling onto streets or striking other vehicles.

  13. 220 city residents received citations for breaking a local ban on open burning last year. 60% of those citizens received fines for the infraction. How many citizens who broke the law didn't get fined?

    Answer: 88

    If 60% of the 220 citizens received fines, then 40% of them did not receive fines (100% - 60% = 40%). To find the number of citizens who weren't fined, calculate 40% of 220. This calculation (0.40 * 220) yields 88 citizens.

  14. Which federal agency sets the primary occupational safety standards that NYC sanitation workers must follow?

    Answer: OSHA

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces workplace safety standards for sanitation workers.

  15. What does 'diversion rate' mean in the context of NYC's waste management performance?

    Answer: The proportion of collected material diverted from disposal (landfill/incineration) to recycling or composting

    Diversion rate measures how much of the total waste stream is redirected from landfills into recycling, composting, or other beneficial uses.

  16. Which NYC Sanitation rule requires building owners with six or more units to use a waste containerization system?

    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.

  17. Which NYC initiative specifically focuses on reducing plastic bag waste in the city?

    Answer: NYC Plastic Bag Fee Law (5-cent fee on single-use bags) enacted in 2020

    NYC's 5-cent bag fee, enacted in 2020, is designed to discourage single-use plastic bag use and reduce plastic waste.

  18. According to NYC Administrative Code, what is the minimum frequency required for DSNY to sweep litter baskets on major commercial corridors?

    Answer: Once per day or as needed based on fill level

    High-traffic commercial areas require daily or more frequent litter basket servicing to prevent overflow and maintain cleanliness.

  19. Which federal agency sets occupational safety standards that NYC sanitation workers must follow on the job?

    Answer: OSHA

    OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets and enforces workplace safety standards applicable to all U.S. workers including sanitation employees.

  20. During collection, a sanitation worker discovers a bag containing what appears to be medical waste (syringes). The correct action is to:

    Answer: Leave it and report it to a supervisor for hazmat handling

    Medical waste including sharps requires special handling by certified hazmat personnel and must not be collected through regular sanitation routes.