# CHST blueprint explained, with practice questions

> 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%).

Canonical: https://truelineprep.com/chst/blueprint/ · Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-18 · Publisher: TrueLine Prep (independent, unofficial; not affiliated with or endorsed by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)). Practice questions are a prototype, not yet reviewed by a certified expert.

## 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](https://www.bcsp.org/hubfs/Website/Blueprints-References/CHST-Blueprint.pdf?hsLang=en). 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, 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.

## 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

- [BCSP CHST5 Examination Blueprint (PDF)](https://www.bcsp.org/hubfs/Website/Blueprints-References/CHST-Blueprint.pdf?hsLang=en)
- [BCSP: Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)](https://www.bcsp.org/construction-health-and-safety-technician-chst)

Free 25-question CHST diagnostic: https://truelineprep.com/diagnostic/?cert=chst