Fire safety, regulations and workplace environment

The chimney sweep's profession was born out of fire danger, and fire safety is still its core. At the same time, it is a profession with its own risks for those who practice it: work at height, soot and dust in the airways and confined spaces. So safety goes both ways — you protect others' homes against fire, and you must protect yourself.

Much of the work a chimney sweep does is legally required — inspections and cleaning of chimneys and firing systems must be carried out regularly. This is because a sooty or faulty chimney is a real fire hazard, not just for the owner, but also for the neighbours. Therefore, cleaning is a public task, and the chimney sweep performs a check that has significance for everyone's safety.

At inspection you assess whether there are conditions that can lead to fire. You look to see if the chimney is whole and tight if the fireplace is set up safely with sufficient distance to flammable material and if there are signs of problems. If you find something you draw attention to it and advise on what needs to be done to make it safe.

• 01Work at height on roofs and at chimneys — fall risk
• 02Soot and fine dust that can damage airways
• 03Cramped spaces and poor working positions
• 04Hot surfaces and glowing remains in fireplaces
• 05Weather and slippery roofs when working outdoors

You protect yourself by using respiratory protection against soot, by securing yourself against falls when working at height, and by using ladders and access equipment correctly. You make sure fire sites are cooled before you work on them, and you keep your equipment in order. It's about doing the same things right every time — even when it's routine.

In that way, safety is the very DNA of the subject. You perform a statutory inspection that protects society from fire, and you do it in a way that protects yourself. These two things are inseparably linked, and it is the responsibility that defines a good chimney sweep.