New York Site Safety Manager Exam 2026: 130 Actual
Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales – NYC DOB
Certification Prep
Exam Overview:
The NYC Site Safety Manager (SSM) exam is administered by the NYC Department of
Buildings (DOB) and evaluates candidates on their knowledge of the NYC Construction
Codes, Chapter 33 safeguards, OSHA regulations, and RCNY rules. Candidates must
complete a 40-hour qualifying course and pass the examination with a score of 70% or
higher to be eligible for SSM certification .
EXAM FORMAT & REQUIREMENTS
Feature Detail
Administered By NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Qualifying 40-Hour Site Safety Manager Course
Course
Passing Score 70% or higher
Codes Tested NYC Building Code Chapter 33, OSHA 1926, 1 RCNY
Valid For Certification for construction safety oversight on major buildings
SST Valid 62-hour SST Supervisor Card
Requirement
Experience Varies by pathway: 3 years as PE/RA, 8 years supervision, or 18-
month OJT
SECTION 1: SSM REQUIREMENTS & BUILDING CLASSIFICATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Q1. What is the primary purpose of NYC Building Code Chapter 33?
Answer: Provide safeguards during construction and demolition operations.
Rationale: Chapter 33 is titled "Safeguards During Construction or Demolition." It
establishes minimum requirements for protecting the public and workers during building
,operations and provides the primary regulatory framework for construction site safety in
New York City .
Q2. According to NYC Building Code §3310.1, what building characteristics require
the appointment of a Site Safety Manager (SSM)?
Answer: Major buildings defined as 15 stories or more in height, OR 200 feet or more in
height, OR with a footprint of 100,000 square feet or more, OR as designated by the
Commissioner .
Rationale: BC §3310.1 explicitly requires a Site Safety Manager for major buildings. A Site
Safety Coordinator may be required for smaller thresholds (10 stories/125 feet) .
Q3. A building with a footprint of 110,000 square feet but only 6 stories tall requires
what?
Answer: A Site Safety Manager.
Rationale: The definition of a "major building" under BC §3310 includes any building with a
footprint ≥100,000 sq ft, regardless of height. Therefore, an SSM is required .
Q4. What differentiates a Site Safety Coordinator (SSC) from a Site Safety Manager
(SSM)?
Answer: A Site Safety Coordinator is required for buildings 10 stories or more OR 125 feet
but less than the major building threshold (15 stories/200 ft). SSCs assist with safety but do
not have full SSM authority .
Rationale: The SSM has overall compliance responsibility and stop-work authority; the SSC
works on smaller projects and assists with day-to-day safety tasks under the SSM's
direction .
Q5. What is the demolition threshold requiring an SSM?
Answer: Any building more than 4 stories requires an SSM for demolition .
Rationale: BC §3303.3.2 requires a Site Safety Manager for demolition of buildings more
than 4 stories. This is a lower threshold than new construction .
, Q6. Which document must be filed with the DOB before construction begins on a
major building?
Answer: The Site Safety Plan (SSP) .
Rationale: The Site Safety Plan must be prepared and sealed by a Registered Design
Professional (PE or RA) and approved by DOB prior to permit issuance. No work can
commence without an approved SSP .
Q7. Who is responsible for the design of a Site Safety Plan for a major building?
Answer: A Registered Design Professional (Professional Engineer or Registered Architect).
Rationale: Site Safety Plans must be prepared and sealed by a Registered Design
Professional (PE or RA) to ensure engineering standards are met and structural integrity is
assured . If the Commissioner requires a PE as the SSM, that PE must prepare the plan .
Q8. What is the maximum penalty for failure to file an approved Site Safety Plan and
related documents?
Answer: Up to $10,000 per violation .
Rationale: According to 1 RCNY §1-03, failure to file a compliant Site Safety Plan can
result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 .
Q9. What is the primary role of a Site Safety Manager (SSM) on a major NYC
construction site?
Answer: Monitor compliance with NYC Construction Codes and site safety regulations to
ensure safety of public and property .
Rationale: The SSM is primarily responsible for ensuring all construction activities comply
with NYC DOB safety regulations and site safety plans. The SSM does not design
structures or operate equipment .
Q10. What is the threshold height for SSM requirement on new construction?
Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales – NYC DOB
Certification Prep
Exam Overview:
The NYC Site Safety Manager (SSM) exam is administered by the NYC Department of
Buildings (DOB) and evaluates candidates on their knowledge of the NYC Construction
Codes, Chapter 33 safeguards, OSHA regulations, and RCNY rules. Candidates must
complete a 40-hour qualifying course and pass the examination with a score of 70% or
higher to be eligible for SSM certification .
EXAM FORMAT & REQUIREMENTS
Feature Detail
Administered By NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Qualifying 40-Hour Site Safety Manager Course
Course
Passing Score 70% or higher
Codes Tested NYC Building Code Chapter 33, OSHA 1926, 1 RCNY
Valid For Certification for construction safety oversight on major buildings
SST Valid 62-hour SST Supervisor Card
Requirement
Experience Varies by pathway: 3 years as PE/RA, 8 years supervision, or 18-
month OJT
SECTION 1: SSM REQUIREMENTS & BUILDING CLASSIFICATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Q1. What is the primary purpose of NYC Building Code Chapter 33?
Answer: Provide safeguards during construction and demolition operations.
Rationale: Chapter 33 is titled "Safeguards During Construction or Demolition." It
establishes minimum requirements for protecting the public and workers during building
,operations and provides the primary regulatory framework for construction site safety in
New York City .
Q2. According to NYC Building Code §3310.1, what building characteristics require
the appointment of a Site Safety Manager (SSM)?
Answer: Major buildings defined as 15 stories or more in height, OR 200 feet or more in
height, OR with a footprint of 100,000 square feet or more, OR as designated by the
Commissioner .
Rationale: BC §3310.1 explicitly requires a Site Safety Manager for major buildings. A Site
Safety Coordinator may be required for smaller thresholds (10 stories/125 feet) .
Q3. A building with a footprint of 110,000 square feet but only 6 stories tall requires
what?
Answer: A Site Safety Manager.
Rationale: The definition of a "major building" under BC §3310 includes any building with a
footprint ≥100,000 sq ft, regardless of height. Therefore, an SSM is required .
Q4. What differentiates a Site Safety Coordinator (SSC) from a Site Safety Manager
(SSM)?
Answer: A Site Safety Coordinator is required for buildings 10 stories or more OR 125 feet
but less than the major building threshold (15 stories/200 ft). SSCs assist with safety but do
not have full SSM authority .
Rationale: The SSM has overall compliance responsibility and stop-work authority; the SSC
works on smaller projects and assists with day-to-day safety tasks under the SSM's
direction .
Q5. What is the demolition threshold requiring an SSM?
Answer: Any building more than 4 stories requires an SSM for demolition .
Rationale: BC §3303.3.2 requires a Site Safety Manager for demolition of buildings more
than 4 stories. This is a lower threshold than new construction .
, Q6. Which document must be filed with the DOB before construction begins on a
major building?
Answer: The Site Safety Plan (SSP) .
Rationale: The Site Safety Plan must be prepared and sealed by a Registered Design
Professional (PE or RA) and approved by DOB prior to permit issuance. No work can
commence without an approved SSP .
Q7. Who is responsible for the design of a Site Safety Plan for a major building?
Answer: A Registered Design Professional (Professional Engineer or Registered Architect).
Rationale: Site Safety Plans must be prepared and sealed by a Registered Design
Professional (PE or RA) to ensure engineering standards are met and structural integrity is
assured . If the Commissioner requires a PE as the SSM, that PE must prepare the plan .
Q8. What is the maximum penalty for failure to file an approved Site Safety Plan and
related documents?
Answer: Up to $10,000 per violation .
Rationale: According to 1 RCNY §1-03, failure to file a compliant Site Safety Plan can
result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 .
Q9. What is the primary role of a Site Safety Manager (SSM) on a major NYC
construction site?
Answer: Monitor compliance with NYC Construction Codes and site safety regulations to
ensure safety of public and property .
Rationale: The SSM is primarily responsible for ensuring all construction activities comply
with NYC DOB safety regulations and site safety plans. The SSM does not design
structures or operate equipment .
Q10. What is the threshold height for SSM requirement on new construction?
