Why do you need a chimney sweep with a ‘skilled worker’ CSCS card?
CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site. Generally, chimney sweeps don’t often work on construction sites.
How it can apply to sweeps though is you cannot get a blue ‘skilled worker’ CSCS card unless you are a formally qualified tradesmen – or an NVQ qualified chimney sweep.
So many chimney sweeps are trading as sweeps, and are even members of official bodies and associations, without even being formally qualified at what they do. So how can you be sure you are employing somebody that is formally qualified and has been assessed to the National Occupational Standards? Ask to see their card.
Did you know…? Much is said about ensuring you employ a ‘HETAS approved sweep. Truth is, you can become a hetas approved sweep simply by completing their 2 day H009 course and a basic on site assessment which takes half a day which isn’t externally verified. The same can be said for a lot of the chimney sweeping associations – None have externally verified assessments and none offer formal qualifications currently. It is all in house. The NVQ is externally verified and is currently the only assessment process in sweeping that has such stringent quality assurance.
If you look on the back of the card, you will see what their qualification is in. Of course, just because a chimney sweep has a blue card doesn’t necessarily mean they’re qualified in this trade; it’ll say on the back which specific trade they’re qualified in.
Commercial chimney sweeping
If you are employing a tradesmen on a commercial site it is best practice to ensure the tradesmen has a CSCS card. This is because you can only have a CSCS card if you have taken recent training in PPE and health and safety.
If you are a contactor, why would you risk sub contracting chimney jobs to people who aren’t qualified to do the job? If along the line problems are found with the job, how will it reflect on you in court if you didn’t do your due diligence and employed unqualified trades people? There are plenty of qualified professionals out there with the CSCS card and the NVQ in Chimney Sweeping.
For example, do you really want a tradesmen on your roof or scaffolding that hasn’t demonstrated as part of their qualification that they’re competent working at height? That is covered by the NVQ in Chimney Sweeping. Same for PPE – including PPE relevant to working at height.
Not everybody who has the NVQ in Chimney Sweeping has a CSCS card, so if they don’t, just ask if they’re qualified and have the NVQ in Chimney Sweeping. The certificate will look like this, similar to our sweep Darren’s certificate.
If you are a chimney sweep interested in carrying out your NVQ to become qualified, you should visit The chimney skills training site by clicking here.
If you are looking for a qualified chimney sweep in West Malling, Maidstone, Chatham, Gillingham, Aylesford, Rochester or Tonbridge
