CCS Safety Procedures & Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard most directly governs fall protection for chimney sweeps working on residential rooftops?
- 29 CFR 1926.502 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.23
- 29 CFR 1926.1053
- 29 CFR 1910.147
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.502
29 CFR 1926.502 sets fall protection system criteria and practices for construction work, which applies to rooftop chimney service.
Question 2: When working near an active gas appliance connected to a chimney, the sweep should first:
- Begin the inspection immediately to save time
- Shut off the gas supply and allow the appliance to cool (Correct answer)
- Open all windows and proceed with cleaning
- Check the draft with a smoke match
Correct answer: Shut off the gas supply and allow the appliance to cool
The gas supply must be shut off and the appliance allowed to cool before any chimney work begins to prevent burns and gas hazards.
Question 3: A chimney sweep discovers asbestos rope gasket material around a fireplace insert door. The correct action is to:
- Remove and dispose of it in the regular trash
- Encapsulate it and advise the homeowner to contact an asbestos abatement professional (Correct answer)
- Wet it down and continue with the inspection
- Leave it completely undisturbed and make no mention of it
Correct answer: Encapsulate it and advise the homeowner to contact an asbestos abatement professional
Asbestos-containing materials must not be disturbed by the sweep; the homeowner should be notified and a licensed abatement professional engaged.
Question 4: The minimum recommended ladder angle ratio for leaning ladders per OSHA guidelines is:
- 1:2 (one out for every two up)
- 1:4 (one out for every four up) (Correct answer)
- 1:6 (one out for every six up)
- 1:3 (one out for every three up)
Correct answer: 1:4 (one out for every four up)
OSHA requires a 1:4 base-to-height ratio, meaning the base should be one foot out for every four feet of ladder height.
Question 5: Which document must a chimney sweep provide to a customer after finding a Level 2 deficiency that poses an immediate safety hazard?
- A copy of their CSIA certification
- A written notice of the hazardous condition before leaving the property (Correct answer)
- An estimate for future repairs only
- A copy of the NFPA 211 standard
Correct answer: A written notice of the hazardous condition before leaving the property
CSIA and industry standards require sweeps to provide written notification of any serious safety hazard discovered during service.
Question 6: When using a rotary cleaning system inside a chimney, eye protection must be rated at minimum:
- ANSI Z87.1 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z89.1
- ASTM F2412
- OSHA 1910.133(b)(1)
Correct answer: ANSI Z87.1
ANSI Z87.1 is the standard for occupational and educational eye and face protection required when debris may become airborne.
Question 7: Carbon monoxide poisoning risk is highest for a chimney sweep when:
- Cleaning a wood-burning fireplace with the damper open
- Working inside an enclosed mechanical room with a malfunctioning gas appliance running (Correct answer)
- Sweeping a prefabricated metal chimney outdoors
- Inspecting a chimney cap on the roof
Correct answer: Working inside an enclosed mechanical room with a malfunctioning gas appliance running
Enclosed spaces with combustion appliances that are malfunctioning or back-drafting concentrate CO to dangerous levels rapidly.
CCS Safety Procedures & Regulations 2
Which OSHA standard most directly governs fall protection for chimney sweeps working on residential rooftops?