New York Site Safety Manager Exam
(NYC DOB) – Practice Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
According to NYC Building Code Chapter 33, at what height or story count must a
Site Safety Manager (SSM) be designated for a new building construction project?
A. 10 stories or 100 feet
B. 12 stories or 150 feet
C. 15 stories or 200 feet
D. 20 stories or 250 feet
Correct Answer: C. 15 stories or 200 feet
Rationale: Per NYC Building Code §3310.1, a Site Safety Manager is required for "major
buildings," which are defined as structures 15 stories or greater OR 200 feet or more in
height. This is the core threshold distinguishing SSM from Site Safety Coordinator
requirements .
Question 2
A building with a footprint of 110,000 square feet but only 6 stories tall requires:
A. No safety personnel
B. A Site Safety Manager
C. A Site Safety Coordinator only
D. A FDNY Fire Safety Director
Correct Answer: B. A Site Safety Manager
,Rationale: The definition of a "major building" under NYC Building Code §3310 includes
ANY building with a footprint exceeding 100,000 square feet, regardless of height.
Therefore, an SSM is required, not just a Site Safety Coordinator .
Question 3
Under NYC DOB regulations, a Site Safety Manager is PRIMARILY responsible for:
A. Hiring all subcontractors
B. Performing structural engineering calculations
C. Implementing and enforcing site safety plans
D. Approving building designs
Correct Answer: C. Implementing and enforcing site safety plans
Rationale: The Site Safety Manager's core duty is enforcing the approved Site Safety
Plan and ensuring compliance with DOB safety rules. The SSM is responsible for
protecting workers and the public .
Question 4
A Site Safety Manager observes workers removing guardrails around a floor
opening without authorization. What should be the FIRST action taken?
A. Document the violation at the end of the shift
B. Immediately stop the work and secure the hazard
C. Notify the project owner after work is complete
D. Wait for the superintendent to address the issue
Correct Answer: B. Immediately stop the work and secure the hazard
Rationale: A floor opening without protection presents an immediate fall hazard
capable of causing serious injury or death. The Site Safety Manager must act
immediately to stop unsafe operations and ensure proper controls are restored before
work continues. Documentation and notifications are important but secondary to hazard
elimination .
,Question 5
Who has the authority to stop work immediately for unsafe conditions?
A. Only the property owner
B. Site Safety Manager
C. Insurance adjuster
D. Equipment supplier
Correct Answer: B. Site Safety Manager
Rationale: The Site Safety Manager has explicit stop-work authority and can stop any
person or activity on site when there is imminent danger, regardless of contractor or
trade. This is a core duty of the SSM .
Question 6
Which document must be maintained on-site at all times for DOB inspection?
A. Bank loan agreement
B. Site Safety Plan
C. Employee tax forms
D. Architectural marketing brochure
Correct Answer: B. Site Safety Plan
Rationale: The Site Safety Plan must be available on-site for review by DOB inspectors.
It outlines specific safety measures, emergency procedures, and hazard controls for the
project .
Question 7
Which agency primarily regulates construction site safety in New York City?
A. OSHA only
B. NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
C. EPA
D. NYC Department of Transportation
, Correct Answer: B. NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings enforces construction site safety rules,
including Local Law requirements and Chapter 33 of the NYC Building Code. OSHA also
regulates worker safety, but DOB has jurisdiction over public protection and NYC-
specific codes .
Question 8
A Site Safety Manager may be designated as the primary SSM for two or more
sites:
A. Always, without restriction
B. Yes, provided all sites meet the criteria set forth in Section 3310.12
C. Only with a variance from DOB
D. Only if sites are adjacent
Correct Answer: B. Yes, provided all sites meet the criteria set forth in Section 3310.12
Rationale: Under Section 3310.12, a site safety manager may be designated as the
primary site safety manager for two or more sites, provided all sites meet the criteria set
forth. However, as of 2026, superintendents are limited to one job site .
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT an explicit duty of the Site Safety Manager?
A. Enforcing the Site Safety Plan
B. Conducting daily safety inspections
C. Hiring and firing site workers
D. Stopping unsafe work
Correct Answer: C. Hiring and firing site workers
Rationale: The SSM's role is safety oversight, not personnel management. Hiring and
firing remain with contractors/employers. The SSM does have stop-work authority and
must ensure workers have valid SST cards .
(NYC DOB) – Practice Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
According to NYC Building Code Chapter 33, at what height or story count must a
Site Safety Manager (SSM) be designated for a new building construction project?
A. 10 stories or 100 feet
B. 12 stories or 150 feet
C. 15 stories or 200 feet
D. 20 stories or 250 feet
Correct Answer: C. 15 stories or 200 feet
Rationale: Per NYC Building Code §3310.1, a Site Safety Manager is required for "major
buildings," which are defined as structures 15 stories or greater OR 200 feet or more in
height. This is the core threshold distinguishing SSM from Site Safety Coordinator
requirements .
Question 2
A building with a footprint of 110,000 square feet but only 6 stories tall requires:
A. No safety personnel
B. A Site Safety Manager
C. A Site Safety Coordinator only
D. A FDNY Fire Safety Director
Correct Answer: B. A Site Safety Manager
,Rationale: The definition of a "major building" under NYC Building Code §3310 includes
ANY building with a footprint exceeding 100,000 square feet, regardless of height.
Therefore, an SSM is required, not just a Site Safety Coordinator .
Question 3
Under NYC DOB regulations, a Site Safety Manager is PRIMARILY responsible for:
A. Hiring all subcontractors
B. Performing structural engineering calculations
C. Implementing and enforcing site safety plans
D. Approving building designs
Correct Answer: C. Implementing and enforcing site safety plans
Rationale: The Site Safety Manager's core duty is enforcing the approved Site Safety
Plan and ensuring compliance with DOB safety rules. The SSM is responsible for
protecting workers and the public .
Question 4
A Site Safety Manager observes workers removing guardrails around a floor
opening without authorization. What should be the FIRST action taken?
A. Document the violation at the end of the shift
B. Immediately stop the work and secure the hazard
C. Notify the project owner after work is complete
D. Wait for the superintendent to address the issue
Correct Answer: B. Immediately stop the work and secure the hazard
Rationale: A floor opening without protection presents an immediate fall hazard
capable of causing serious injury or death. The Site Safety Manager must act
immediately to stop unsafe operations and ensure proper controls are restored before
work continues. Documentation and notifications are important but secondary to hazard
elimination .
,Question 5
Who has the authority to stop work immediately for unsafe conditions?
A. Only the property owner
B. Site Safety Manager
C. Insurance adjuster
D. Equipment supplier
Correct Answer: B. Site Safety Manager
Rationale: The Site Safety Manager has explicit stop-work authority and can stop any
person or activity on site when there is imminent danger, regardless of contractor or
trade. This is a core duty of the SSM .
Question 6
Which document must be maintained on-site at all times for DOB inspection?
A. Bank loan agreement
B. Site Safety Plan
C. Employee tax forms
D. Architectural marketing brochure
Correct Answer: B. Site Safety Plan
Rationale: The Site Safety Plan must be available on-site for review by DOB inspectors.
It outlines specific safety measures, emergency procedures, and hazard controls for the
project .
Question 7
Which agency primarily regulates construction site safety in New York City?
A. OSHA only
B. NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
C. EPA
D. NYC Department of Transportation
, Correct Answer: B. NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings enforces construction site safety rules,
including Local Law requirements and Chapter 33 of the NYC Building Code. OSHA also
regulates worker safety, but DOB has jurisdiction over public protection and NYC-
specific codes .
Question 8
A Site Safety Manager may be designated as the primary SSM for two or more
sites:
A. Always, without restriction
B. Yes, provided all sites meet the criteria set forth in Section 3310.12
C. Only with a variance from DOB
D. Only if sites are adjacent
Correct Answer: B. Yes, provided all sites meet the criteria set forth in Section 3310.12
Rationale: Under Section 3310.12, a site safety manager may be designated as the
primary site safety manager for two or more sites, provided all sites meet the criteria set
forth. However, as of 2026, superintendents are limited to one job site .
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT an explicit duty of the Site Safety Manager?
A. Enforcing the Site Safety Plan
B. Conducting daily safety inspections
C. Hiring and firing site workers
D. Stopping unsafe work
Correct Answer: C. Hiring and firing site workers
Rationale: The SSM's role is safety oversight, not personnel management. Hiring and
firing remain with contractors/employers. The SSM does have stop-work authority and
must ensure workers have valid SST cards .
