Safety Requirements

RCNY tit. 16, ch. 20, subch. D

in effect

16 RCNY § 20-50 Safety Records

§ 20-50 Safety Records (a) An awardee must maintain accurate time records for each vehicle operator and worker who handles commercial waste. Such time records must identify the worker by name and job title, and for each day reflect the time the worker reported to work; the route, truck number or other information used to identify the worker's daily work assignment; any off-duty breaks; the time the worker was released from duty; and the total number of hours worked per week. (b) An awardee must maintain copies of all inspection and certification of repair forms required by subdivision a of 16 RCNY § 20-52 for at least five years, and copies of such forms (paper or electronic) must be available in the corresponding vehicles at all times for 6 months. (c) An awardee must maintain copies of all daily inspection reports required by subdivision b of 16 RCNY § 20-52 for at least five years, and copies of such reports (paper or electronic) must be available in the corresponding vehicles at all times for 14 days. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-51 Safe Vehicle Operation

§ 20-51 Safe Vehicle Operation (a) An awardee must not permit or require any vehicle operator to drive a commercial waste vehicle unless the vehicle operator complies with the hours of service requirements set forth in Part 395.3 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (b) An awardee is responsible for ensuring that the commercial waste vehicles used to perform commercial waste collection, transport and removal services under its agreement with the City are not engaging in a pattern of unsafe practices. Each such pattern of unsafe practices is a violation of this subdivision. For purposes of this subdivision, "a pattern of unsafe practices" shall be defined as four instances of prohibited conduct set forth in paragraphs (1) through (6) of this subdivision within a six month period by the awardee's commercial waste vehicles operators or the operators of the commercial waste vehicles of the awardee's designated carters, in the aggregate: (1) A commercial waste vehicle must not back up unless such movement can be made safely and without interfering with traffic for the minimum distance to allow for the safe collection of trade waste. (2) A commercial waste vehicle must not make a U turn, except where legally permitted at marked center lines and from designated lanes. (3) A commercial waste vehicle must stop at all steady red lights until such light turns green. A trade waste vehicle must stop at all flashing red lights and stop signs before entering an intersection. (4) A commercial waste vehicle must be driven only in the direction designated for the roadway. (5) A commercial waste vehicle must not obstruct a bike lane, bus stop, sidewalk, crosswalk, or intersection. (6) Under no circumstances shall an individual ride on or cling to the outside of a commercial waste vehicle while the vehicle is operating on a roadway. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-52 Vehicle Inspections.

§ 20-52 Vehicle Inspections. (a) (1) A commercial waste vehicle must not be operated unless such vehicle is in safe operating condition and has passed an inspection conducted by a qualified inspector demonstrating compliance with the terms of this section at least once during the preceding six months. (2) Each such inspection must be recorded on an inspection report form prescribed by the Department. Such inspection report must identify any safety defects discovered during the inspection and cover at a minimum, the following parts and accessories: service and parking brakes, steering mechanism, tires, wheels and rims, sideguards, coupling devices, mirrors, lighting devices and reflectors, horn, windshield wipers, and emergency equipment. (3) Following an inspection, such vehicle may not be operated unless a qualified inspector certifies on the inspection report that all necessary repairs have been made and that such vehicle has passed the inspection. (4) Copies of such inspection reports must be kept in the corresponding vehicle in accordance with the requirements of subdivision b of 16 RCNY § 20-50. (b) A commercial waste vehicle must not be operated unless the operator of such vehicle is satisfied such vehicle is in safe operating condition. An awardee must require the operator of such vehicle to inspect such vehicle following each day's work and to prepare a daily inspection report that identifies such vehicle and any defect that would affect the safety of operation of such vehicle. Each such inspection must be recorded on an inspection report form prescribed by the Department. Such daily inspection report must cover at a minimum the following parts and accessories: service and parking brakes, steering mechanism, tires, wheels and rims, sideguards, coupling devices, mirrors, lighting devices and reflectors, horn, windshield wipers, and emergency equipment. Copies of such daily inspection reports must be kept in the corresponding vehicle in accordance with the requirements of subdivision c of 16 RCNY § 20-50. The operator of such vehicle must review the most recent daily inspection report and determine whether required repairs have been made when evaluating the condition of such vehicle. (c) The Department or a person designated by the Department may inspect commercial waste vehicles, equipment, licenses, registrations, inspection reports, and fleet records of each awardee and each designated carter at any time at its own discretion. (1) The Department or a person designated by the Department may order the awardee to immediately remove any commercial waste vehicle or equipment from service and, where appropriate, to take corrective action within a prescribed period of time if the Department or such person designated by the Department determines the vehicle or equipment presents an imminent threat to public health or safety or to the environment due to an issue that may include, but need not be limited to, defective brakes, tires or lighting devices, or leaking or spilling of fluids and escaping of waste. The awardee shall comply with the order within the time prescribed in the order and shall notify the Department when compliance has been achieved. (2) Within the time specified for compliance in an order issued pursuant to this section, or as otherwise specified in such order, the awardee may submit a written statement appealing the order to the Commissioner in the manner specified in the order. (3) Submission of an appeal pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subdivision shall relieve the awardee's obligation to take any corrective action within the time prescribed in the order pending a final determination pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subdivision, provided, however, that in the event the Department determines that failure to take corrective action within the time prescribed in the order poses a significant risk of imminent harm to public health or safety or to the environment, the awardee will be notified and will be required to take such corrective action within the specified time, or within an alternative time specified by the Department. Notwithstanding the foregoing, submission of such an appeal shall not relieve the awardee's obligation to remove a commercial waste vehicle or equipment from service during the pendency of an appeal. (4) The Commissioner must review appeals and make a final written determination regarding the appeal within a reasonable period of time. The Commissioner will serve final determinations on the awardee by mailing the final determination to the awardee. (5) If the Commissioner sustains an appeal in whole or in part, then the stated terms of the final determination on appeal will replace the original requirements of the order. (6) If an appeal is denied, the final determination will specify a reasonable period of time for compliance with the order based on the circumstances, except in the case of an order where taking corrective action is required within an earlier time pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subdivision. The final determination by the Commissioner is subject to review pursuant to article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*; amended City Record 10/9/2025, eff. 11/8/2025) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-53 Cross-Over Mirrors; Obstructions to Windshield

§ 20-53 Cross-Over Mirrors; Obstructions to Windshield (a) Each commercial waste vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or more and a conventional cab configuration in which the engine is mounted in front of the operator must be equipped with a convex mirror positioned on the front of such vehicle. When such vehicle is being operated, such mirror shall be adjusted so as to enable the operator thereof to see all points on an imaginary horizontal line which is three feet above the road, is one foot directly forward from the midpoint of the front of such motor vehicle, and extends the full width of the front of such vehicle or combination of vehicles. (b) Nothing may be placed or suspended in or on the vehicle or windshield so as to obstruct the operator's vision through the windshield or other windows. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit the placement or suspension of an object in or on the vehicle or windshield: (i) in order to comply with or as expressly permitted by federal, state or local law or (ii) authorized pursuant to the agreement between the awardee and the City for purposes of promoting public safety. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-54 Back-up Cameras

§ 20-54 Back-up Cameras No later than January 1, 2026, every commercial waste vehicle must be equipped with a rear video system, rear object detection system, or other device which enables the driver of the vehicle to detect by means of a visual indicator, or visual and audible warning-indicator, persons and objects located directly behind the vehicle. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-55 Auxiliary Exterior Lighting

§ 20-55 Auxiliary Exterior Lighting (a) (1) On or before January 1, 2026, every commercial waste vehicle must be equipped with one or more auxiliary exterior lights on the back of the vehicle, positioned at a height and angle so as to illuminate: (i) the vehicle's hopper; (ii) any other equipment or machinery attached to the back exterior side of the vehicle; and (iii) a work staging area of at least 6 feet behind the vehicle. (2) Such auxiliary exterior back lights must be sufficiently bright so as to: (i) allow any workers loading waste into the hopper or otherwise working in a staging area behind the vehicle to perform their duties and (ii) make such workers and such staging area visible to other vehicles on the road. (b) (1) On or before January 1, 2026, every commercial waste vehicle must be equipped with one or more auxiliary exterior lights on both sides of the vehicle, positioned at a height and angle so as to illuminate: (i) any equipment or machinery attached to the side of the vehicle, and (ii) a work staging area running along the length of the vehicle and outward at least 3 feet from the side of the vehicle. (2) Such auxiliary exterior side lights must be sufficiently bright so as to: (i) allow any workers working in a staging area next to the vehicle to perform their duties and (ii) make such workers and such staging area visible to other vehicles on the road. (c) The auxiliary exterior lighting required by this section must be turned on when a worker from the vehicle is outside the vehicle performing work at night or during poor visibility conditions, including but not limited to rain, fog or snow. (d) The auxiliary exterior lighting required by this section must be maintained in good working condition and must be functional at all times while the vehicle is in operation, regardless of the time of day. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-56 Telematics Systems in Commercial Waste Vehicles

§ 20-56 Telematics Systems in Commercial Waste Vehicles (a) An awardee must ensure that each commercial waste vehicle is equipped with a telematics system that meets the requirements of this section and such other specifications as set forth in the awardee's agreement with the Department. Such system must be approved by the Department prior to the implementation start date of the zone in which such vehicle is authorized to operate pursuant to such agreement, or prior to the date that the vehicle is first used as a commercial waste vehicle, whichever is later. Such system must also be approved prior to the date the vehicle is returned to use as a commercial waste vehicle following any replacement of or material alterations to such system. (b) The telematics system must transmit vehicle location information to both the awardee and the Department in real time, via cellular connection. Awardees must also make vehicle location information available to the Department upon request. (c) The telematics system must transmit in real time via cellular connection the following information to the awardee and the Department: (1) Vehicle speed; (2) Each instance when the vehicle travels at a speed above the applicable speed limit; (3) Each instance of sudden acceleration by the vehicle; (4) Each instance when the vehicle engages in a hard stop; (5) Vehicle miles traveled; and (6) Odometer readings. (d) On a monthly basis, the awardee must submit to the Department the information collected pursuant to paragraphs two through six of subdivision c of this section for each commercial waste vehicle, disaggregated by vehicle and, where applicable, by zone, for the previous month. (e) The awardee must ensure that the telematics system installed in each commercial waste vehicle is constantly maintained and is in good working order. (f) (1) If any material feature of the telematics system is not functioning, an incident report must be filed by the designated carter with the Department within two hours following the discovery of the malfunction or at such time as the designated carter reasonably should have known of the malfunction. (2) If any material feature of the telematics system of a commercial waste vehicle is not functioning, the commercial waste vehicle must not operate for more than 7 days following the start of the malfunction or the timely filing of an incident report, whichever is later, until the system is repaired. Any commercial waste vehicle in which there is a malfunction of a material feature of the telematics system more than once in a 30 day period shall be removed from service immediately until the system is repaired. (3) During the period the telematics system is malfunctioning and the commercial waste vehicle is permitted by this subdivision to operate, the vehicle operator or operators must record the following trip record information by hand at the end of each route: (i) Vehicle miles traveled; (ii) Route start and stop locations; and (iii) A list of stops on each route. (4) In the case of a partial malfunction of the telematics system, the information required pursuant to paragraph 3 of this subdivision need not be recorded by hand if the telematics system is capable of collecting and transmitting such data in real time in accordance with subdivision b of this section. (5) Trip records required pursuant to paragraph 3 of this subdivision must be submitted to the Department in the monthly report required pursuant to subdivision d of this section. (Added City Record 11/16/2021, eff. 12/16/2021*; amended City Record 6/26/2024, eff. 7/26/2024) * Editor's note: For specific effective date provisions, see the editor's note at 16 RCNY Ch. 20.

16 RCNY § 20-57 Worker Safety Training Requirements.

§ 20-57 Worker Safety Training Requirements. (a) All workers must receive safety training as outlined in § 16-1008 of the Administrative Code. (b) Subsequent annual training, as required by § 16-1008(e)(1) of the Administrative Code, must consist of no less than 8 hours for vehicle operators, laborers and helpers who are directly assigned to the collection, removal, transport or disposal of trade waste, of which no fewer than 3 hours shall be dedicated to classroom instruction. For all other workers, such subsequent annual training must consist of no less than 2 hours. (c) All classroom instruction required by this section and § 16-1008 of the Administrative Code must be conducted live and in-person with the opportunity for hands-on training. (Added City Record 6/26/2024, eff. 7/26/2024; amended City Record 10/9/2025, eff. 11/8/2025)

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCrules/0-0-0-130580Fetched: 10/24/2026