NYC NYCHA Maintenance Worker –NYC Department of
Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
SECTION I: SAFETY & HEALTH (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A maintenance worker discovers an unknown, strongly scented chemical leaking
from a container in a basement storage area. According to standard safety
protocols, what should the worker do FIRST?
A) Immediately mop up the chemical using paper towels and dispose of them in
the regular trash
B) Pour water over the chemical to dilute it before assessing the spill
C) Leave the area, secure the perimeter, and consult the Safety Data Sheet
(SDS)
D) Sniff the chemical to identify it by its odor before taking action
Rationale: Personal and building safety is always the priority. Unknown
chemicals may emit toxic fumes or be highly flammable. The worker must secure
the area to protect others and check the SDS, which outlines specific handling,
protective gear, and disposal requirements.
Question 2
Which of the following is the CORRECT order for donning Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) when entering a potentially hazardous work area?
A) Gloves → Goggles → Respirator → Coverall
B) Goggles → Respirator → Coverall → Gloves
C) Coverall → Respirator → Goggles → Gloves
D) Respirator → Coverall → Gloves → Goggles
Rationale: The correct sequence is coverall first (to protect street clothing),
then respirator (to ensure proper seal over the coverall), then goggles (to fit over
,the respirator straps), and gloves last (to avoid contaminating other PPE during
donning).
Question 3
A maintenance worker must enter a confined space to repair a valve. What is the
MINIMUM requirement before entry?
A) A verbal okay from the supervisor
B) A permit and atmospheric testing showing safe oxygen levels
C) A written permit, atmospheric testing, and an attendant posted outside
D) A hard hat and steel-toe boots
Rationale: Confined space entry requires a written permit system,
atmospheric testing (oxygen, flammable gases, and toxic substances), continuous
monitoring, and a trained attendant outside the space who can summon rescue if
needed.
Question 4
What is the maximum allowable concentration of lead in paint that triggers lead-
safe work practices in NYC housing?
A) 0.05% by weight
B) 0.5% by weight
C) 1.0 mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight
D) 5.0% by weight
Rationale: The federal standard defines lead-based paint as containing 1.0
mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight. NYC buildings built before 1960 are presumed to
contain lead-based paint, requiring specific work practices during disturbance.
Question 5
Which of the following is a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning that a
maintenance worker should recognize when entering a boiler room?
,A) Sweet, fruity odor
B) Headache, dizziness, and nausea
C) Blue-colored lips and fingernails
D) Burning sensation in the eyes
Rationale: Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and toxic. Early symptoms
mimic flu: headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Prolonged exposure leads
to loss of consciousness and death. Any boiler room with these symptoms
requires immediate evacuation and ventilation.
Question 6
A worker is using an extension ladder to access a roof. At what angle should the
ladder be positioned for safe use?
A) 90 degrees (vertical)
B) 60 degrees from horizontal
C) 75.5 degrees from horizontal (4:1 ratio)
D) 45 degrees from horizontal
Rationale: The 4:1 rule means the ladder base should be 1 foot away from the
wall for every 4 feet of ladder height. This produces approximately 75.5 degrees
from horizontal and provides stability and safety.
Question 7
All of the following are OSHA-required elements of a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
program EXCEPT:
A) Written energy control procedures
B) Employee training
C) Written authorization from the power company
D) Periodic inspections of the procedures
Rationale: OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) requires
written procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections. Power company
, authorization is not required; the employer is responsible for controlling
hazardous energy.
Question 8
A worker notices that a fire extinguisher's pressure gauge needle is in the red
zone. What should the worker do?
A) Use the extinguisher immediately to test it
B) Tag the extinguisher as out of service and report it for replacement
C) Tap the gauge to see if the needle returns to green
D) Top up the extinguisher with compressed air
Rationale: A pressure gauge in the red zone indicates the extinguisher is
undercharged (or overcharged) and may not function properly in an emergency. It
must be tagged and serviced immediately.
Question 9
What is the PRIMARY purpose of a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?
A) To protect equipment from power surges
B) To protect people from electrical shock
C) To prevent circuit overloads
D) To reduce electricity consumption
Rationale: A GFCI monitors the current balance between the hot and neutral
conductors. If it detects a difference of 4-6 milliamps (indicating current leakage
to ground, possibly through a person), it trips within milliseconds to prevent fatal
shock.
Question 10
When working with asbestos-containing materials (ACM), which of the following
is the SAFEST action?
Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
SECTION I: SAFETY & HEALTH (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A maintenance worker discovers an unknown, strongly scented chemical leaking
from a container in a basement storage area. According to standard safety
protocols, what should the worker do FIRST?
A) Immediately mop up the chemical using paper towels and dispose of them in
the regular trash
B) Pour water over the chemical to dilute it before assessing the spill
C) Leave the area, secure the perimeter, and consult the Safety Data Sheet
(SDS)
D) Sniff the chemical to identify it by its odor before taking action
Rationale: Personal and building safety is always the priority. Unknown
chemicals may emit toxic fumes or be highly flammable. The worker must secure
the area to protect others and check the SDS, which outlines specific handling,
protective gear, and disposal requirements.
Question 2
Which of the following is the CORRECT order for donning Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) when entering a potentially hazardous work area?
A) Gloves → Goggles → Respirator → Coverall
B) Goggles → Respirator → Coverall → Gloves
C) Coverall → Respirator → Goggles → Gloves
D) Respirator → Coverall → Gloves → Goggles
Rationale: The correct sequence is coverall first (to protect street clothing),
then respirator (to ensure proper seal over the coverall), then goggles (to fit over
,the respirator straps), and gloves last (to avoid contaminating other PPE during
donning).
Question 3
A maintenance worker must enter a confined space to repair a valve. What is the
MINIMUM requirement before entry?
A) A verbal okay from the supervisor
B) A permit and atmospheric testing showing safe oxygen levels
C) A written permit, atmospheric testing, and an attendant posted outside
D) A hard hat and steel-toe boots
Rationale: Confined space entry requires a written permit system,
atmospheric testing (oxygen, flammable gases, and toxic substances), continuous
monitoring, and a trained attendant outside the space who can summon rescue if
needed.
Question 4
What is the maximum allowable concentration of lead in paint that triggers lead-
safe work practices in NYC housing?
A) 0.05% by weight
B) 0.5% by weight
C) 1.0 mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight
D) 5.0% by weight
Rationale: The federal standard defines lead-based paint as containing 1.0
mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight. NYC buildings built before 1960 are presumed to
contain lead-based paint, requiring specific work practices during disturbance.
Question 5
Which of the following is a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning that a
maintenance worker should recognize when entering a boiler room?
,A) Sweet, fruity odor
B) Headache, dizziness, and nausea
C) Blue-colored lips and fingernails
D) Burning sensation in the eyes
Rationale: Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and toxic. Early symptoms
mimic flu: headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Prolonged exposure leads
to loss of consciousness and death. Any boiler room with these symptoms
requires immediate evacuation and ventilation.
Question 6
A worker is using an extension ladder to access a roof. At what angle should the
ladder be positioned for safe use?
A) 90 degrees (vertical)
B) 60 degrees from horizontal
C) 75.5 degrees from horizontal (4:1 ratio)
D) 45 degrees from horizontal
Rationale: The 4:1 rule means the ladder base should be 1 foot away from the
wall for every 4 feet of ladder height. This produces approximately 75.5 degrees
from horizontal and provides stability and safety.
Question 7
All of the following are OSHA-required elements of a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
program EXCEPT:
A) Written energy control procedures
B) Employee training
C) Written authorization from the power company
D) Periodic inspections of the procedures
Rationale: OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) requires
written procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections. Power company
, authorization is not required; the employer is responsible for controlling
hazardous energy.
Question 8
A worker notices that a fire extinguisher's pressure gauge needle is in the red
zone. What should the worker do?
A) Use the extinguisher immediately to test it
B) Tag the extinguisher as out of service and report it for replacement
C) Tap the gauge to see if the needle returns to green
D) Top up the extinguisher with compressed air
Rationale: A pressure gauge in the red zone indicates the extinguisher is
undercharged (or overcharged) and may not function properly in an emergency. It
must be tagged and serviced immediately.
Question 9
What is the PRIMARY purpose of a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?
A) To protect equipment from power surges
B) To protect people from electrical shock
C) To prevent circuit overloads
D) To reduce electricity consumption
Rationale: A GFCI monitors the current balance between the hot and neutral
conductors. If it detects a difference of 4-6 milliamps (indicating current leakage
to ground, possibly through a person), it trips within milliseconds to prevent fatal
shock.
Question 10
When working with asbestos-containing materials (ACM), which of the following
is the SAFEST action?
