CHST blueprint explained, with practice questions
Last checked against official sources: October 18, 2026 · TrueLine Prep (independent, unofficial)
Short answer: The BCSP CHST5 blueprint (V.2022.04.12) has four domains: Hazard and Risk Identification and Control (36.6%), Emergency Preparedness, Incident Investigation, and Response (19.9%), Safety Program Development, Implementation, and Sustainment (22.5%), and Leadership, Communication, and Training (21%).
The four domains
| Domain | Weight | Questions in our 25-question diagnostic |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hazard and Risk Identification and Control | 36.6% | 9 |
| 2. Emergency Preparedness, Incident Investigation, and Response | 19.9% | 5 |
| 3. Safety Program Development, Implementation, and Sustainment | 22.5% | 6 |
| 4. Leadership, Communication, and Training | 21% | 5 |
Source: BCSP CHST5 Examination Blueprint. The blueprint lists "Knowledge of" and "Skill to" items for each domain. The examples below are short summaries; read the PDF for the full list.
Domain 1: Hazard and Risk Identification and Control (36.6%)
Common construction hazards and controls: hot work, electrical, excavations, working at heights and fall protection, confined spaces, struck-by, cranes, hoisting and rigging, silica, noise, lead, asbestos, chemicals and GHS, PPE, and basic testing and monitoring equipment. Skills include applying the hierarchy of controls and developing job hazard analyses.
Domain 2: Emergency Preparedness, Incident Investigation, and Response (19.9%)
Fire protection and prevention, emergency action plans, the incident command system, crisis management, first aid, and universal precautions. Skills include preparing a site emergency action plan and running emergency response exercises.
Domain 3: Safety Program Development, Implementation, and Sustainment (22.5%)
Applicable standards, site-specific safety plans, inspections and audits, risk management, recordkeeping, and incident causation. Skills include applying standards to worksite conditions and identifying incident trends.
Domain 4: Leadership, Communication, and Training (21%)
Training delivery methods, motivation, communication strategies, confidentiality, and leadership. Skills include developing site-specific training and recognizing total worker health.
Study tip: weight your time
Domain 1 is more than a third of the blueprint. If you are weak there, fix it first. Then spread the rest of your time in proportion to the weights, and finish with timed practice.
Free practice questions
Prototype · not yet reviewed by a certified expert Original questions from our free diagnostic. Not actual exam questions.
Practice question 1 · Hazard and Risk Identification and Control
A crew will grind a concrete wall indoors for two days, producing visible dust. Of the options below, which control ranks highest in the hierarchy of controls?
- A. Use grinders fitted with a dust shroud connected to a vacuum with a suitable filter
- B. Issue filtering facepiece respirators to everyone in the area
- C. Rotate workers so no one grinds for more than two hours
- D. Post warning signs at the work area entrance
Answer: A. Use grinders fitted with a dust shroud connected to a vacuum with a suitable filter
A shroud with local exhaust is an engineering control that captures dust at the source. Job rotation and signs are administrative controls, and respirators are PPE. Both rank lower.
Practice question 2 · Emergency Preparedness, Incident Investigation, and Response
Under the Incident Command System, who has overall responsibility for managing an incident until formally relieved?
- A. The Incident Commander
- B. The Safety Officer
- C. The Operations Section Chief
- D. The first employee who called 911
Answer: A. The Incident Commander
The Incident Commander holds overall authority and responsibility for the incident. Command is transferred through a formal briefing.
Practice question 3 · Safety Program Development, Implementation, and Sustainment
A contractor had 3 OSHA-recordable cases in a year in which employees worked 250,000 hours. What is the total recordable incident rate (TRIR) using the standard 200,000-hour base?
- A. 1.2
- B. 2.4
- C. 3.0
- D. 12.0
Answer: B. 2.4
TRIR = (recordable cases × 200,000) ÷ hours worked = (3 × 200,000) ÷ 250,000 = 2.4.
Find your weak CHST areas in 20 minutes
Free 25-question diagnostic: a score for every blueprint area and a week-by-week study plan. No account needed.
Prototype questions, not yet reviewed by a certified expert. About the planned full question bank ($49 refundable preorder)
FAQ
How many domains are on the CHST exam?
Four. The BCSP CHST5 blueprint weights them 36.6%, 19.9%, 22.5%, and 21%.
Which CHST domain is the largest?
Hazard and Risk Identification and Control, at 36.6% of the blueprint.
Where can I get the official CHST blueprint?
BCSP publishes the CHST5 Examination Blueprint as a free PDF on bcsp.org.
Are these real CHST exam questions?
No. They are original practice questions written to the public blueprint. Real exam content is confidential. They have not yet been reviewed by a certified expert.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official site before you pay or book.