Certified Healthcare Safety—Environmental Services

(CHS-EVS)

The CHS-EVS focuses on using management principles to improve safety performance environmental services functions of hospitals, nursing care facilities, and other healthcare locations. Earning the CHS-EVS credential provides recognition and documents commitment to the profession of cleaning for safety and health. Hospitals, long term care and other need certified personnel that understand how proactive safety practice supports operational effectiveness, improves care processes, and reduces organizational costs

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CHS-EVS Exam Blueprint

Domains 100-150 items
1. Management & Leadership36%
2. Hazard Control28%
3. Compliance & Standards36%

Domain 1– Safety Management (36%)

IBFCSM exams contain 100-150 multiple choice items. Exam results permit the assessment to determine a candidate’s minimum competency for certification. The blueprint reflects specifications published in the JTA Technical Report. Percentages reflect proportion of test items in each domain. Candidates use recall, recognition, comprehension, and application to answer items related to professional practice.

Domain 1 Topics

1.1 Identify accident investigation principles

1.2 Identify hazard reporting & analysis concepts

1.3 Identify principles of communication effectiveness

1.4 Identify key decision-making concepts

1.5 Identify disaster & emergency management

1.6 Given a scenario Identify facility safety priorities

1.7 Identify appropriate use of high reliability concepts

1.8 Identify human factors impacting safety

1.9 Given a scenario identify improvement processes

1.10 Identify leadership principles

1.11 Identify management concepts

1.12 Identify medical & care related errors

1.13 Identify occupational health issues and concerns

1.14 Identify dynamics operational safety culture

1.15 Identify quality improvement processes

1.16 Identify patient safety concepts

1.17 Identify risk management principles

1.18 Identify safety assessment processes

1.19 Identify safety priorities

1.20 Identify system safety methods

1.21 Identify training, education, & orientation requirements

Domain 2—Hazard Control (28%)

Domain 2 Topics

2.1 Identify principles of accident investigations

2.2 Identify appropriate antimicrobial solutions to use in various setting

2.3 Identify workplace equipment, tool, and physical hazards

2.4 Identify clinical and departmental hazards

2.5 Given a scenario identify employee personal protection equipment

2.6 Identify tool and equipment hazards

2.7 Given a scenario identify the scope of a facility safety assessment

2.8 Identify exposure risks gases and vapors

2.9 Given a scenario identify departmental hazards

2.10 Identify fundamental elements of hazardous material management

2.11 Given a scenario identify appropriate hazard controls

2.12 Given a scenario identify infection control and prevention risks

2.13 Identify key elements of job safety practice

2.14 Given a scenario identify risks of medical equipment

2.15 Identify methods for reporting hazards & injuries

2.16 Given a scenario identify safety priorities

Domain 3—Compliance & Standards (36%)

Domain 3 Topics

3.1 Identify accreditation standards (JC, CMS, DNV, HFAP, etc.)

3.2 Identify appropriate disinfectant safety regulations

3.3 Given a scenario identify regulatory requirements for biological/chemical hazards

3.4 Identify clinical safety requirements and standards

3.5 Identify standards published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 10, 21, 29, 40, 42, 44, 49)

3.6 Identify major healthcare relevant OSHA standards and compliance requirements

3.7 Identify safety procedures for using and handling of compressed gases requirements

3.8 Identify emergency and environmental management standards and requirements

3.10 Given a scenario identify ergonomics & human factors hazards or risks

3.11 Given a scenario identify facility wide safety regulations & standards

3.12 Identify roles and responsibilities of Federal Agencies (CDC, DHHS, EPA, FDA, NRC, & OSHA, etc.)

3.13 Given a scenario identify life and fire safety standards and requirements

3.14 Identify standards regulating use and handling of flammable /combustible substances

3.15 Given a scenario Identify hazardous materials management regulations

3.16 Given a scenario identify standards or guidelines affecting Infection control

3.17 Identify relevant medical equipment regulations and standards

3.18 Identify medical wastes storage and handling requirements

3.19 Given a scenario identify relevant occupational safety and health standards

3.20 Identify voluntary standards (ANSI, ASTM, ASHRAE, ASME, CGA, FGI, NFPA, NIOSH, etc.)

CHS-EVS Sample Questions

  1. Which of the following would be the best reason to conduct trending analysis?

a. Determining accident costs

b. Determining training needs

c. Identifying problem areas*

 

  1. A supervisor can best help safety efforts by doing which of the following?

a. Purchasing safe equipment and tools

b. Training employees on safe work procedures*

c. Meeting with the hospital safety manager

 

  1. According to Hazard Communication Standard, who has the responsibility for having hazardous material information available to the employees, upon request?

a. The manufacturer

b. The employer*

c. The selling company

 

  1. What is the first action that should be taken when a fire is discovered at the facility?

a. Find the closest fire extinguisher

b. Activate the fire alarm*

c. Close all the doors and windows

CHS-EVS Study Resources

Studying the resources listed does not guarantee that a candidate will pass the examination. Candidates must personally decide how they can best prepare for the examination. IBFCSM does not require any candidate to purchase study materials, resources, or attend any review session to qualify for certification. Study references include the following resources:

  • Healthcare Hazard Control and Safety Management, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2014, J.T. Tweedy, ISBN: 978-1-4822-0655-5 Buy it here!
  • Developing a Safety and Health Program, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2010, D.E. Della-Giustina, IBSN: 978-1-4398-1438-3
  • CHS-EVS Self Directed Study Guide, TLCS, Available in downloadable PDF format. Buy it here!
  • Introduction to Hazard Control Management, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2014, J.T. Tweedy, IBSN: 978-1-4665-5158-9, Buy it here!
  • Controlling Health Hazards to Hospital Workers: A Reference Guide for New Solutions
  • OSHA Education & Training for Worker Safety in Hospitals
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