Practice Questions with Bold Answers & Italic Rationales |
2026/2027 Update
This document contains 150 realistic practice questions for the NYC DOB Site Safety
Manager (SSM) Certification Exam. Each question includes the correct answer in bold and
a detailed explanation in italics based on NYC Building Code Chapter 33, 1 RCNY, OSHA
1926, and Local Law 196.
Topics Covered:
Major Building Requirements (15 stories/200 ft/100,000 sq ft)
Site Safety Plan & Site Safety Log (daily review, 3-year retention)
Site Safety Manager Duties & Stop-Work Authority
Fall Protection (6 ft threshold, 42-inch guardrails, 4-inch toe boards)
Scaffolding & Sidewalk Sheds (5 ft walkway clearance)
Crane Operations (10 ft power line clearance, daily logs)
Fire Safety & Emergency Procedures (monthly extinguisher inspections)
Excavation & Trenching (1:8 ramp slope)
Site Safety Training (SST) – 62-hour Supervisor Card, mental health credits 2026
Pre-Task Plans (PTPs) & Incident Reporting
Penalties & Enforcement ($10,000 maximum fines)
, 1 RCNY §3301-02, §1-01, §1-03
Updated for the 2026/2027 exam cycle. Perfect for exam prep or as a study supplement for
SSM candidates.
NYC Site Safety Manager Exam (SSM) – NYC DOB | 150 Practice Questions with
Bold Answers & Italic Rationales | 2025/2026 Update
Description:
This document contains 150 realistic practice questions for the NYC DOB Site Safety
Manager (SSM) Certification Exam. Each question includes the correct answer
in bold and a detailed explanation in italics based on NYC Building Code Chapter 33, 1
RCNY, OSHA 1926, and Local Law 196.
Topics Covered:
Major Building Requirements (15 stories/200 ft/100,000 sq ft)
Site Safety Plan & Site Safety Log (daily review, 3-year retention)
Site Safety Manager Duties & Stop-Work Authority
Fall Protection (6 ft threshold, 42-inch guardrails, 4-inch toe boards)
Scaffolding & Sidewalk Sheds (5 ft walkway clearance)
Crane Operations (10 ft power line clearance, daily logs)
Fire Safety & Emergency Procedures (monthly extinguisher inspections)
Excavation & Trenching (1:8 ramp slope)
Site Safety Training (SST) – 62-hour Supervisor Card, mental health credits 2026
Pre-Task Plans (PTPs) & Incident Reporting
Penalties & Enforcement ($10,000 maximum fines)
1 RCNY §3301-02, §1-01, §1-03
Updated for the 2025/2026 exam cycle. Perfect for exam prep or as a study supplement
for SSM candidates.
About the Exam
The New York City Site Safety Manager (SSM) exam is administered by the NYC
Department of Buildings (DOB) to certify individuals responsible for overseeing safety on
major construction sites. The exam evaluates knowledge of:
, NYC Building Code Chapter 33 – Safeguards During Construction or Demolition
1 RCNY – Rules of the City of New York (Subpart 1-01, 3301-02)
OSHA 1926 – Construction Industry Regulations
Local Law 196 of 2017 – Site Safety Training (SST) requirements
2026 Updates – Mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention training
Section 1: Major Building & SSM Requirements (Questions 1-25)
1. According to NYC Building Code §3310.1, a Site Safety Manager (SSM) is required
for which of the following?
A) Any building over 5 stories
B) Buildings 10 stories or more, or 125 feet or more in height
C) Major buildings – 15 stories or more, OR 200 feet or more in height
D) Buildings with more than 20 workers
Answer: C
Rationale: BC §3310.1 explicitly requires a Site Safety Manager for major buildings defined
as 15+ stories or 200+ feet in height. A Site Safety Coordinator may be required for smaller
thresholds (10 stories/125 feet) .
2. A building with a footprint of 110,000 square feet but only 6 stories tall requires:
A) No safety manager
B) A Site Safety Coordinator
C) A Site Safety Manager
D) A Fire Safety Director
, Answer: C
Rationale: The definition of a "major building" under BC §3310 includes any building with a
footprint greater than 100,000 square feet, regardless of height. Therefore, an SSM is
required, not just a Site Safety Coordinator .
3. A "Major Building" in NYC is also defined as a building with a footprint of at least:
A) 50,000 square feet
B) 75,000 square feet
C) 100,000 square feet
D) 150,000 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: Under NYC Code, a major building is also defined as a building with a footprint
of 100,000 square feet or more, regardless of height .
4. According to NYC Building Code Chapter 33, at what height must a Site Safety
Manager be designated for a new building construction project?
A) 10 stories or 100 feet
B) 15 stories or 150 feet
C) 10 stories or 125 feet
D) 15 stories or 200 feet
Answer: D
Rationale: NYC Building Code Section 3310.1 requires a Site Safety Manager for the
construction or demolition of major buildings, defined as those 15 or more stories OR 200
feet or more in height .
5. Which agency governs construction site safety regulations in New York City?