NCSG Residential Chimney Service Safety Manual

For nearly two decades, the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) has worked to make chimney sweeping safer, culminating in a historic agreement with OSHA in 2023. This manual is the result of 18 years of advocacy, legal action, and collaboration, created to address the real-world risks chimney professionals face every day.

The NCSG has developed this manual as a framework for employers to evaluate the knowledge and skills needed to prevent injuries due to work-related hazards, including falls. While there are specific "musts" and "shalls," this guide is designed to be adaptable, helping employers incorporate safety practices into their own procedures and operations.

Inside, you'll find standard operating procedures, measurable training competencies, and practical tools for complying with OSHA regulations, particularly as they relate to fall protection.

This is more than a compliance handbook; it's a national trade association standard built to keep every sweep healthy, safe, and home for dinner.

We believe safety isn't luck - it's intentional.